We caught up with Julius Waters from British chill band Kinobe and spoke about the creation of their upcoming album, their sound and the struggles they’ve faced. Their magical single ‘Lucky Stars’ was released on July 5th 2024 via the SGKL imprint. The single also premiered on acclaimed publication NOTION, and received early radio support from NPR Music, KEXP, and SBS Chill. The track gives us a taste of what to expect on their forthcoming album Out of the Blue which will be released on 9 August 2024.
Garnering over 50 million streams on Spotify, Kinobe has also earned support from tastemaker publications CLASH Mag, Mixmag, DJ Mag, Sputnik Music, and Hot Press Magazine. Originally from the UK and now based in Perth, Australia, Kinobe was formed in west London in 1998 by childhood friends Julius Waters and Mark “Blackie” Blackburn. ‘Lucky Stars’ and the album were birthed and mastered by the legendary Frank Arkwright (Blur and Coldplay) at Abbey Road.
Sum up your year so far in two words?
A-Ok
Tell us more about how your upcoming release was conceptualised?
The first melodic ideas came to me last year sitting on the beach watching the waves roll in, and then like the waves, the ideas kept coming, which inspired the album’s name Out Of The Blue
Describe your sound for us. What do you want people to feel when they hear your music?
JJ Cale meets Percy Faith. Enchanting melodies, full of calm and peaceful emotion that I hope inspire people to dream.
Describe a typical day in your studio space?
No two days are ever alike in the studio, but there’s always fun and laughter.
What are the most important pieces of equipment for you?
My ears! Also an old Gibson Hummingbird guitar that I use to record the basic arrangement of each new song.
Do you have a favourite memory of your career so far that you will take with you forever?
Not long after signing our first record deal with Jive we played live on a popular chat show on French television. Lionel Richie was being interviewed just before we played, and as the lights went down in the tv studio and we began to play, all we could see was Lionel and it felt like we were playing just for him! It struck me that we were a long way from our tiny studio in Shepherds Bush. He came and saw us after the show and was very kind and gracious. As he departed he said: “See you on the road, kid” – I haven’t seen him since.
Who is your musical guilty pleasure?
I don’t really feel guilty about any of the music I like. I find something to like about almost everything I hear.
Tell us about one of the first struggles you faced (as a group or a solo artist) and how you overcame it?
Being signed to a major label creates a myriad of opportunities, but also limits your freedom to do things all your own way.
Music for the individual or the masses – which do you want to create?
I can only make music for myself and hope that others like it too.
If you could work with, or perform alongside any artist living or passed, who would it be?
I’d love to have worked with JJ Cale, or with Nelson Riddle on the albums he arranged for Frank Sinatra.
What can we expect from you in the near future?
Another album next year and hopefully some tour dates to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our debut album Soundphiles.
Follow Kinobe:
Facebook – Twitter – Soundcloud – Youtube – Instagram – Spotify
