Interview with Kwesi Kankam
Last week, I introduced readers the musical side of Kwesi Kankam. Today, I present to you the other artistic sides of Kwesi Kankam. Besides his music talent and career, he is also a photographer and has a bachelor of arts degree in architecture and also has great interest in art,fashion and design.
In our interview, we talked about the genesis of his music career, what his music is bringing to the table, live performance experience, his Ran Away From Me EP, his 'self searching' experience in Barcelona, plus more interesting topics. Enjoy!
Can you please introduce yourself to readers.
My name is Kwesi Christopher Enti Kankam. "Kwesi" is a Ghanaian name for a sunday born boy (yes I was born on Sunday, ha). “Christopher” My birthday usually falls on the same week as Christopher Columbus Day, “Enti” was my fathers uncle who raised him. And Kankam is super Asanti, where my dad’s from outside of Kumasi, Ghana. I think my FULL name is important because it represents all the different walks that make me up.
Reading your biography, you studied abroad in Barcelona. How was that experience like?
It was absolutely what I needed and was perfect. It’s where I “found myself.”
I immersed myself in the Spanish culture, picked up the language, and hope to return there as soon as I can. Primavera Festival????
When was your starting point as an artist and what made you choose music as your career?
My starting point as an artist started early. I could draw really well as a kid, I loved drawing animals. I loved creating things, I loved legos. But I chose to become a songwriter whilst abroad in Barcelona, after several weeks of busking and writing convinced me that this was my knack/nitch.
Can you please describe your music style and also tell us what Kwesi Kankam's music is bringing to the table.
My musical style is rootsy. I’ve had lessons but I’m primarily self-taught so my style of playing is a bit odd. My music offers music for musics sake. I love melodies and instrumentation and believe that’s something getting lost with the whole EDM, DJ scene.
I believe there’s goodness to be had there but American music roots from Africa and I like to remind people of that.
Do you think being a specific genre artist limits you and put you in a box?
Genres are for wikipedia.
In your opinion what are the key elements of good music?
Melody, arrangement, and delivery.
Being in the early stages of your career, i am sure you are in the learning and developing phase. How are you growing as an artist?
I’m growing everyday but not necessarily by playing music. I have a ton of other interest that aid to the idea of learning and growing as an artist-photography, fashion, design, etc.
You also have bachelor of arts in Architecture, will there be any architecture projects from you in the future?
I will always be passionate about architecture. Like I said I have plenty of interests and architecture, though its on the back-burner currently, will hopefully come back into my life when it needs to. The mean time I still am fascinated with the built environment (hence the study abroad to Barcelona) and if you could look at half my pictures I take they’re usually architecture-related..
Who are some of your key influences?
Ryan Adams has always been one of my favorites. Samuel Beam, John Mayer, Ben Harper,
Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, Kanye West, Broken Social Scene..there’s a lot.
I love the natural vibe in your music, you have a strong voice, great stories, in general your music is soulful. You are also a songwriter and also play instruments. What do you do to stay balanced and also broaden your talent.
Try to watch as many shows as I can and learn from the vets. I try to play the guitar as much as I can everyday. I love that thing.
You are currently performing live shows at local coffee houses across the country.
How is it going? What feedback and response are you getting from listeners especially new listeners.
Yea we play a lot of intimate, acoustic type shows. They’re great and really fun, every show is kind of different as far as reaction but we personally love when everyone can sit down and really LISTEN to the music, we generally get the best responses then.
Can you talk about Ran Away From Me EP.
Everyone needs to start somewhere, so I had some songs and I really wanted to get them out there, so I recorded all of them on my own, with the help of some student musicians (Lehigh University). The title Ran Away From Me is two-fold in the sense that when I was in Barcelona, I did run away from everything familiar and tried to revamp myself and learn anew. I’ve always had terrible stage fright so the idea of running away from old fears I thought was a nice motif for the record. A new beginning as an artist, if you will. It’s also a lyric from “Whiskey Wit” a song from the album.
Your new single, By My Side is great as well. What can we expect in the near future, any upcoming projects? and when will you drop your full album?
Thank you. We’re still working on EP’s (albums aren’t in the current budget). Stay tuned this spring for more smaller videos, photos, and the new EP (no title yet) will be released Summer 2013.
Besides music you also have passion for photography, what do you think is the unique connection between music and photography?
I always use this answer but photography is really me capturing. Music is releasing.
Where is your favorite spot in Pennsylvania ?
Burlington, Vermont
What is the last great song stuck in your head?
“There a Light That Never Goes Out” --- The Smiths
In your opinion how will you define creativity.
Tough question…hmm..I will define my creativity in 2013 by productivity.
What good is a mind that doesn't do?
What do you like most about what you do.
Love traveling, love listening.
