A Dirty Dozen with EV V FREDERICK of KIND VILLAIN – May 2021

According to a recent press release: “Kind Villain is a high-energy young rock and pop-rock project founded by award-winning artist and performer Ev V Frederick, hailed for their live performances, and unique artistry as well as dynamic character. Ev is a seasoned veteran of the music scene known for his performances locally in the F19 Band and Green Holiday the tribute band to Green Day. His ability to perform, create, and find unique and diverse members, allow the project to achieve an unprecedented style and sound.” We get Ev to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

The vocals on the song have no effects or correction, and fans will be pleasantly surprised when the live performance sounds just like the recording, all of the elements are live.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

When I was a toddler, I would sing all the time, whatever was on the radio I would sing in harmony with them, I was singing before I was really talking, and I loved to dance and rock out to AC/DC. When I got into Guitar Hero, I realized I was interested in bass and guitars. At 12 I attended a rock camp and I got to be the front man and that is when all hell broke loose. At 13 I was doing one-hour acoustic shows opening for adult bands and at 14 I fronted an adult Hard Rock band and at 15 I formed my own band. I am more comfortable performing on stage than anything else.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I enjoy all types of good music so this is a tough question. There is not one specific thing that guided me, most of my characteristics as a musician, singer and performer were through self-discovery. However, if I had to name one element that guided my musical taste it would have to be Green Day’s Dookie album.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Billie Joe Armstrong, Joan Jett, Brendon Urie, Prince, and Elvis.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day because I really enjoy the freedom and energy of punk and no one captures that quite like Billie from Green Day. There are no rules and that is what I love.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

We like to call our music Next Generation Pop Rock because using the words “Rock” “Pop” or “Pop Rock” does not accurately describe the kind of music Kind Villain makes. It is a fusion of all three and its music with a live feel with a Gen Z flair. The comment that I received that made me cringe was that a fan once told me that good live bands are a thing of the past and I strongly disagree.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

The band and I are not big drinkers, we are definitely gamers, when we hang out, we are practical jokers and enjoy humor and sarcasm. When either John or Andrew pulls out a guitar the other one always follows, and then Kat will find something to drum on and I will start belting and the mayhem ensues. Often these jams inspire ideas. When we are hungry, we order with Door Dash, Mexican food or pizza is the best.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I don’t really get starstruck this may sound a little weird, I get more excited about working with pro studio producers who have worked with the greats. I have met some extremely interesting and exciting people.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Live performances, live performances, and live performances, I love performing for audiences and fans. If I were not a musician, I would want to have a job in the music field, but besides that I would want to be an actor or perform in some sort of theatre.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

One question I always want the interviewer to ask is, “how do you prep for a performance or studio session?” I like to be in a good headspace and mindset to produce my best work, I take a moment and envision my outcome before the session or performance begins and this enables me to really enjoy the moment. The question I get annoyed answering is, any question involving trends or the current state of a certain genre of music and how it effects Kind Villain. It doesn’t, being the trail blazer is what changes the world and if its good people always will support it.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I’m very happy with how my career has been, I would not change one misstep but instead I would apply the knowledge that I have learned since I was discovered and use those approaches and methods when I was first starting out. You often learn more from a misstep that makes you better, so I really don’t think about redos.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Dookie because it was a game changer and it was such a natural recording, its so real and raw, I would have loved to have been there.

BONUS QUESTION – Due to the current world situation with COVID-19 / quarantine / shelter in place, what have you discovered you miss the most from your life before the pandemic struck?

My fans and live performances, but it looks like there is finally light at the end of the tunnel 😊.

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Category: Interviews