Displaying items by tag: Kelly Nash
Monday, 01 April 2013 20:04
Skymonk: Local Band on the Block
Skymonk was founded originally about 3 years ago, while vocalist/ guitarist Kelly Nash was attending USC. Nash, along with bassist Scott Roberts and drummer Ben Evans, started the future Skymonk group, which resulted in a great connection but had conflicting goals and availabilities. Therefore, the group was temporarily dismissed.
Fast forward two years - Ben called Nash, who was dying to get back out, and Roberts, who was available to try Nash & Evans as just a three piece, to give it another go. And like a wild fire, the group has been nonstop since May 2012.
Skymonk consists of members:
Kelly Nash -- vocals, guitar.
Scott Roberts -- bass, bouzouki, piano, vocals, (trombone & tuba)
Ben Evans -- drums, vocals.
Nash brings the framework and lyrics to the group, but the complete songwriting process is a shared experience that is made as a group. They have show rehearsals, that concentrate on just putting together upcoming shows, songwriting rehearsals, and acoustic gig rehearsals. In their attempts to be a versatile group, all three members explore every instrument they are capable of playing.
Each member has a rich history in music. Nash has been playing music since age 12, starting with trumpet in middle school. Upon receiving a guitar at age 13, a specific interest and passion grew within. As a member in some sort of band ever since age 16, Nash is no stranger to the dedication and work that goes into a group, but the degree of involvement with a group that works and plays as intensely as their love for music is was never as extreme.
Evans started playing concert snare and xylophone in elementary school, as well as played kit in marching band and jazz band throughout middle and high school. He received a scholarship for percussive arts to CCU in 04' and attended until 06'. Evans played for the CCU Marching Band, Indoor Drumline (Epiphany), World Music Ensemble, CCU Symphony, as well as many other percussive ensembles. Everyone makes note of Ben's sense of timing and creativity, as well as the enjoyment felt to watch his play.
Scott is a trained classical musician, as well as a talented multi-instrumentalist. His influences range from Bach to the Black Keys, and can be found constantly playing any chance he gets. Scott also in a phenomenal jazz group called the Lizardmen.
Skymonk's music style sticks to the blues/rock, but occassionally dips into many other genres. Blues is referred to as sort of the umbrella in which the group operates under, but if something new is discovered and liked during rehearsal, it's fair game. Nash's roots in blues comes from a love of classic rock - The Who and Led Zeppelin. Nash can identify with the way blues music is written, the ideas it expresses, and it's melodies. As Nash has gotten older with experience in music, the experience itself has bled into interests of exploring jazz, folk, latin, experimental, space rock, soul, and even elements of metal or r&b, anything old or brand new. As a group, Nash sees Skymonk as a group sharing the mentality of taking pieces of what each member's interests in other types of music and remodeling it into something personal, but keeping its foundation in blues/rock.
As for short-term goals? Working on their first album - a major life goal shared by all three of the group's members. From there and currently, Skymonk wants to play out as much as possible to support it to gain interest and fan approval.
A long-term goal, as for anyone, is to take Skymonk as far as possible and grow into something bigger than it was the day before. Roberts sees this goal as, "Once Skymonk starts putting food on the table, then we have a new conversation about what this group means and where we want it to go."
Skymonk's upcoming show schedule:
Utopia -- 4/20
Art Bar -- 5/4
Check out Skymonk at:
For a few noteworthy friends of Skymonk:
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/skymonkband
Published in
Entertainment: Watch, Collaborate & Listen
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Store Wars: International Flavors of Columbia
Burgers, pizza, sandwiches–after a while, it all tastes a little bland. We’ve covered some new territory for those of you brave enough to break away from your typical routine and try something different.
Published in
Scene
