What Doth Life recently sat down at a crusty ol’ bar with Mr Kiel H. Alarcon to discuss his life, you know, like what makes him tick.  We got pretty drunk, but the pureness of a drive for music creation and sharing always shine through.  Always ~~*

WDL:

what are some of the music projects that you have recently worked on?

KIEL:
I just finished producing the pilgrims debut and I’m playing with three bands: Hannah and the Wooden Spoons, Derrick and the Demons, and Mister Gordy. I also have had a gothic western-themed solo album that I’ve been working on in my free time.

WDL:
now, i understand you play a plethora of instruments. give me ten of them, and let me know your favorite.

KIEL:
Ten? Challenge accepted. Guitar (6 string/12 string/slide/classical), Bass, Saxophone, Piano/Keyboard, Harmonica, Drums, Kazoo, Recorder, uhh… I used to know flute and clarinet and I also like making sounds out of things that aren’t really instruments, like bottles, cans, ratchet wrenches, and general electronic noise. Was that 10? Close enough. My favorite is probably Saxophone.

WDL:
why is that your favorite?

KIEL:
Because it’s the most natural. It doesn’t rely on effects or anything like that and you can get the coolest sounds out of it and the most disgusting sounds. And instead of just using your hands, you use more of your body to play it.

WDL:
is there any instrument that you would like to learn?

KIEL:
All of them ever. but if I had to narrow it down I’d like to learn trumpet, trombone, and violin.

WDL:
what do you find is the most challenging thing for musicians these days, more specifically in this neck of the woods?

KIEL:
Finding the time and space to play. I’ve been very lucky in that regard though.

WDL:
what music are you especially into now a days?

KIEL:
When I was mixing the pilgrims record I was listening to a lot of Superchunk’s Majesty Shredding to try and match that production. Also, it’s just a bitchin record. Lately I’ve also been enjoying Kanye West’s latest and The Street’s last.

WDL:
So, in today’s world of social media, how do you think the realm of music-making and music-distributing has changed?

KIEL:
I think it has become way easier for people to share and create music. It’s a double edged sword though, because I think a lot of people will get lazy about their craft since they can churn it out so fast and cheap. But overall I think it’s a good thing. You no longer have to spend a fortune to create music, and so your own creativity is the only thing that will hold you back, or propel you forward.

WDL:
where do you see the music business in ten or twenty years?

KIEL:
Dead. Personally, I think the days of record companies are numbered. Bands can record their own stuff and put it online for next to nothing. I personally believe that music should be free and try to push for any music I make to be made available free online. If you want to make money you have to play shows, and sell physical merchandise, be is vinyl or t-shirts or whatever.

WDL:
i heard that you had a cat one with one eye who ate a pizza. really?

KIEL:

R.I.P. Sylvester. He was the best cat ever. He was also the inspiration for my first band, McAsh, which was an acronym for My Cats A Super Hero.

WDL:
as a long time artist in the local scene, do you have any suggestions for new local artists?

KIEL:
Collaborate and experiment. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and play with a band that isn’t quite your style. It’ll make you a better musician in the end.

WDL:
so kiel, what do you do in real life?

KIEL:
What is the real life, man? You know, it’s like we’re all just waves floating along on the giant swell of life. It’s all connected, man. My life is your life is everyone’s life. Also, I work as a communications guy at a cyber-security consortium.

WDL:
meat and potatoes, or ham and broccoli?

KIEL:
Does a man have to choose? Throw it all in a dish and serve it up hot.