KEN mode’s Jesse Matthewson talks about success and other stuff, as Ken mode gets ready to release its new album, ‘NULL’.
S] How are you doing today?
I’m trying to down my morning coffee quickly so I can give an honest assessment of this question. I truly love being helplessly addicted to this substance. I only have 16 oz a day, in the morning, but you’re not allowed to talk to me about anything serious prior to it happening, otherwise it shapes my entire day. I find that so pathetic, yet I repeat this ritual every day, and have been since I was 18 years old.
I know I’d be better off breaking the cycle, but coffee tastes so goddamn good. I guess I’m doing okay. It’s still sort of summer here, but the weather feels like it’s already turning…it’s a good thing we’re touring the US in Oct/Nov, we can escape the temperature plunge for a few weeks.
S] What is your mission statement for the band, and how has that changed over time?
Well, for context – we started this band when I was 17, and Shane was 15, so our mission then was simply playing local shows with bands we love. Now, we clearly have much more at stake. 2022 mission is to write engaging music that satiates our egos, while executing our general artistic vision in the most effective way possible, given our skillset. From there, promoting the works in the most strategic way we can, touring and connecting with our musical community around the world, as much as we can while balancing it with our work and family lives, and generally trying to have fun with this project – getting to spend time doing something we enjoy with our friends in this band. And hopefully not losing money doing so haha.
S] How do you define success as artists?
Success really is such a relative term – and it’s why we named an album after the concept back in 2015. As an artist, a degree of freedom of expression and execution, coupled with a broader scope of acceptance from consumers maybe hits the nail on the head – but really, it’s about accomplishing goals you set out for yourself.
S] What motivates you outside of music – specific people, places?
Motivates? I don’t think anything motivates me to do this thing, other than a general burning desire to always get better at the things I enjoy doing. I guess if we’re talking in general strokes, seeing others excel in their given fields is a constant motivation. I love watching the best Thai boxers in the world on Instagram every day, absorbing their techniques – people like Superbon, Singha Mawynn, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao. Seeing people like Kurt Ballou (Converge) and the way he has made a relative empire doing the things he loves is an inspiration. Grinders like Henry Rollins, who is always seeking ways to experience more and better himself, and jumping at interesting opportunities to continue to make his life more interesting.
S] To what extent do the singles we’ve heard, including ‘Unresponsive’ prepare fans for ‘NULL’ as a whole?
Honestly, the songs you haven’t heard yet are going to take you on a bit of a trip. ‘Unresponsive’ may prepare you for the fact that not everything is going to be as expected, maybe? We’ve got a couple songs coming up on this that are some of my favourite KEN mode tracks ever, and they certainly flex a different side of our sonic palate. ‘Lost Grip’ may be my favourite KEN mode song to date, and you’ll have to wait until Sept 23 to hear that one! There hasn’t been a ton of synthesizer flexing on the tracks we’ve debuted so far, and that’s been a major feature in a lot of our writing the last couple of years.
S] The live show/videos look intense – how important is it to the band to recreate the visceral energy of your sound, live?
It’s always been very important. We grew up on the mentality that you need to make the music look the way it sounds. I believe that was a David Lee Roth quote to Henry Rollins, but I may be wrong. As we age, that certainly makes the practice of performing quite a bit more painful. I know I’ve given myself a degree of chronic whiplash swinging my head down past my knees for over 20 years. I’m presently trying to figure out what kind of rehab I should do to help me get through the day to day of touring for when this album comes out.
I think there’s a reason why you see older bands cool it on the antics of their relative youth…your body doesn’t do the thing anymore, without chronic pain.
S] Thanks for your time!
Thank you!
Order the album: https://kenmode.bandcamp.com/album/null
