In Conversation with Kairos:

Jan 04

A little background:

If you look at the previous pages listed in Setting Sun, often you will find interviews with a whole host of music and

in some cases from various countries, from sing-songwriters originally from Germany to Samba singers from Brazil,

to Goth bands from America – when I originally decided to set up Setting Sun, it was my intention to interview

people within as wide a scope as possible with people who had often very different lifestyles and upbringings from

myself.

Kairos are a slightly different kettle of fish as they actually are based only a few miles away from me. Currently

composed as a duo, Russell and Fran (although they are looking for a drummer and maybe even additional players)

they write heart-felt pop / rock songs with powerful female singing. As they say themselves they have been writing

“their unique brand of progressive rock in the open mic / acoustic scene, receiving a constantly warm response

from audiences in the Greater Manchester area (UK- A)”.

They are in the process of making available over the Internet – various songs off their available for download,

and the band now believe “they are now ready to progress on to the next level, playing longer sets to more

people in larger venues” but in the meantime enjoy this interview – when I hear more, I will enclose a link

to the page…

Andy n xx – Jan 04

Setting Sun:

How’s things and what’s happening at the moment?

Russ: Been doing open mic nights / gigs for just over a year now, produced a demo and biography recently

so we’re getting ready to send that off to different places.

Fran: We’re had a couple of really good gigs at Roscoe’s in Swinton (Manchester – A). We’re looking to

play some gigs in Manchester ASAP. I’m also taking bass lessons – so watch this space.

Setting Sun:

Can you tell us a little about the history of Kairos? How you met up, who fired the starting pistol etc?

Russ: I put an advert in Loot (Advertising paper in Manchester – A) asking for Christian musicians and

Fran answered the ad.

Setting Sun:

What stuff are you listening to at the moment and what have proved your influences in particular for

the sound of Karios?

Russ: I am listening to all sorts, I like a band called I am Kloot and an unsigned band called Stonebaker.

I’m influenced by bands such as Led Zeppelin and King’s X (Prog Rock).

Fran: I’ve been listening to the Chilli Peppers quite a bit, though we’re not that funky. I quite like P.O.D

and Pearl Jam – I suppose I’m a rock chick at heart, although Damian Rice as well, in my more mellow

moods!

Setting Sun:

Probably my favourite song off your demo is “Where do we turn?” in particular some of the instrumental

interludes on the song. What’s the story behind that story etc, etc?

Russ: Where do we turn is about not putting your faith in celebrities, politicians etc and putting faith in God etc.

There are references to Princess Diana in the song and about many people’s hopes were dashed after her death.

Setting Sun:

I seem to recall you are looking to recruit a drummer to your line-up? To give yourself a bit of self-publicity,

can you tell us how that is going and what you hope a drummer would bring to your line-up etc?

Russ: Not much joy so far, someone offered to record a backing CD of drums for us but that hasn’t got

off the ground. We are basically a prog. Rock band that has been forced to play acoustically – it would be good

to have the full Monty!

Fran: If there are any interested drummers out there, who can handle cross rhythms and weird time signatures,

then please get in touch!

Setting Sun:

What plans do you have for the future i.e. do you have any recordings planned / gigs etc?

Russ: We’re going to try to get more proper gigs and play longer sets. We also would do with recording

more songs as we have lots of material.

Fran: Hopefully we’ll be playing at a music festival next August. If not, it may be on the next year, so

hopefully we’ll have a drummer by then.

Setting Sun:

How do your recordings compare to the live sound of Kairos? Is there one you prefer over the other?

Russ:

We are probably better live than on CD, but the next recordings will be better.

Setting Sun:

Why Karios as a name? It is certainly interesting..

Russ: Kairos is a Greek word which means “The appointed times” – this crops up in the bible; the

New Testament was originally written in Greek.

Setting Sun:

What has been your best / worst experiences of been a solo singerwriter / been in a band? Been in a

band myself I’ve had some fun to tell certainly so I could guess you are the same…

Russ: The worst experience was we booked in to play Acoustic Anarky. There was no one there when

we got to the pub cancelled it without letting the bands know.

Setting Sun:

Nearly there now, a couple of slightly lighter hearted questions to finish off with, firstly what would be your

dream job if you were not a rock and roll musician?

Russ: Something altruistic, helping people perhaps in the third world, and making a real difference.

Setting Sun:

Lastly, something light to finish off with… (Nicked from a pal’s Zine almost) “Imagine you were ship wrecked

on a desert Island and could have (clearly have second sight here – lol) the choice of having 5 records or Cds

with you with a stereo of course – what would be your desert Island Discs?

Russ:

Led Zeppelin – Remasters.
U2 Greatest Hits.
John Barry (Film Composer) – 40 years of film music.
Something by King’s X.
David Gray – White Ladder.