"I'm very flexible. I'll fucking fly anywhere they send planes to for a shit hot show"
The last decent female fronted pure rock and roll, alternative band that had substance to them were The Pretty Reckless. Ever since my sk8r days back when I was a wee teenager, where my daily uniform was some form of baggy hoody, jeans and some Vans, I had a collection of female fronted guitar rockers pumping in through my headphones, from The Donnas to Hole, with a bit of Tuuli too for good measure. I've not come across anyone for a long while who could contend with such raw passion, dripping with guitar riffs and an infectious personality to complete the package. Until now.
Let me introduce you to Mel Sanson of Kenelis.
I had the privilidge to chat with Mel about kids, music, love, passion, girlfriends, family history, the future, fans, Twitter and a bunch more stuff us girls spill the beans on. This is probably Mel's most indepth of interviews where she reveals hereself in a way that you've never seen before!
AltSounds: Hey guys, how’s it going?
Mel: So far, 2012 has been outstanding
AltSounds:What have you been up to recently?
Mel: LOADS! Well, in the last 2 weeks I got a band together, wrote a bunch of songs, booked my favourite new producer to record the new EP, attended The L Project press conference, band rehearsals, arranged to do a charity day and I'm currently helping with the line up for Student pride. That's outside of my day job!
AltSounds: If you had to cross breed two animals together to create a super animal that describes your music, what would it be and why?
Mel: A Lion-bird. The wild presence and powerful ROAR of a lion and the sweet cheepy melodies of a rare and magical bird. That also has the ability to squawk!
AltSounds: Right, I’ll stop being silly. Let’s start right at the beginning, how did you guys come together and start making music?
Mel: Well… I've always done music, every opportunity (no matter how geeky) as a kid. Then I learnt guitar. Got a band, we had the same line up for 7 years and had an amazing time. Then our drummer got injured and couldn't play anymore. We had to sadly replace him. Then they all but one became fathers and commitment got more difficult and we had to cancel a German tour. After 8 years of giving my heart, soul and relationship to Kenelis (my gf worked on the label full time for 18 months) we all started hating each other. I had no choice but to end it. I knew my home in my heart was Brighton so we moved here last year. I toured as Kenelis solo in 2011. It was fun and I got to play in Toronto but I missed playing with a band. So, 2 weeks ago I decided to change that. I now have super talented ex BIMM grads, who are now session musicians and its like I've been reborn!
AltSounds: Wow, some turbulent times there for you. Glad to see you’ve come out stronger at the other end! What’s the story about the name ‘Kenelis’?
Mel: My grandparents moved to England from Greece about 80 years ago. Where they lived was invaded by Turkey. My grandad saved up enough to get passports and Sanson was the name. I'm 2nd generation and very proud of my heritage. The original family name was Kenelis but spelt completely differently but I figured if I make the word up, it will be easy to Google etc. I'm not going to have kids so I'm the last Sanson so I guess it keeps my family history alive. It also doesn't pigeon hole the music or genre specific and I like that.
AltSounds: Maybe you’ll decide to have baby Sansons later on. So, you’ve been around for 8 years, how have you developed over that time?
Mel: I used to be shit. Like awful, terrible fake American accent. I got away with it because I just used to rant and people found it entertaining. I found my own style. I really love writing music and performing. I will always do it, I don't care if I'm playing on the streets of Brighton in 40 years time and everyone thinks I'm some mad old lady that still thinks rock is alive. Everyone else is walking around to space ship beeps! I sing now with quite a British accent, which brilliantly is now one of my trademarks. So, I turned that around well haha.
That's what I do, I make myself look at what I've done even if it makes me cringe and make myself change it to what makes me happy with it. I take the risk and hope it pays off. If I'm going to give it, it has to be my all. A year ago I could barely play guitar because I had 2 guitarists. Now I have 1 guitarist and I play second guitar. I've got so much better but that's because I had to. I'm quite lazy when I'm not motivated but I've got my mojo back baby!
AltSounds: Maybe you should have mastered the Welsh accent? No? I’ll stick to that then. What would you say have been a highlight for you, careerwise, up til now?
Mel: Sharing the stage with some of my favourite bands like Ghost of a Thousand and Reuben. Prides, Guilfest, the London gigs, the indigO2 was my favourite and that's why the Kenelis full band come back gig has to be there. Thanks to Feedme Music this is happening at their GLOW event on 17th March. Last year I teamed up with the Women’s Tent Promoters (who did it at Brighton Pride for the previous 10 years) and in a protest to what was Brighton Paid Pride (don't get me started!) we put on a free event, with the best UK lesbian/bi talent and raised a shit load of money for the local LGBT community.
AltSounds: That’s ace! I saw the video for that, looked like a load of fun. Where would you like to see yourselves in a year’s time?
Mel: Oh, fuck knows after the last year?! I'd really like a strong support slot on a tour and I'm starting to meet people now that could make that happen. If the Kenelis Army gets bigger and the new songs go down really well, who knows! I'm very flexible. I'll fucking fly anywhere they send planes to for a shit hot show.
AltSounds: Haha, why the heck not? Do you have any new music for us to check out?
Mel: The second album is out now, it's called 'Fake' you can watch videos and listen on www.kenelis.com. In March I will play the most known tracks, 'Sick' (free on kenelis.com) 'Jealous' (the single) and my personal favourite 'We Could Die Any Minute' you can watch and listen to them all on YouTube. Then the new stuff, we're gonna play some of my new songs at IndigO2 and I'm recording them in April with Chris Coulter (Arcane Roots - that band that covered Smells Like Teen Spirit in Kerrang) who is a phenomenal producer and the new EP will be out in the summer!
AltSounds: Ah, exciting stuff in the pipelines then! You’ve got the show in March at the Indigo o2, how excited are you for this?
Mel: Well as you can see from my extreme plugging of it so far, I'm pissing rainbows! It's such a cool venue, if you YouTube Kenelis 'We Could Die Any Minute', that was filmed there last time we played. Backstage we don't just have our own dressing room, we have a fucking shower! A shower! The people there are super nice too. Did I thank Feedeme Music? Yes and I'll do it again. They're the best promoters in London.
AltSounds: Haha, I think you did, no one can question your gratitude. You’ve played quite a few gay pride events. How was this experience?
Mel: Fun times. I'm definitely not standard Pride music but I like that. A lot of people liked having a ranting lesbian on stage I think, most of all it was a privilege to bring the ROCK!
AltSounds: You have a loyal fanbase, do you social media to connect with them?
Mel: I do. I think anyone that ignores people that have more belief in you than anyone else is a fucking idiot. I hang out with them as much as I can at gigs and I love and appreciate Kenelis support in any form. Fans are the wheels of bands.
AltSounds: Fans have never been appreciated so much I don’t think. What’s the best way to stay grounded, in your opinion?
Mel: Just appreciate what you have. You can bit hot shit one minute and forgotten the next. Things evolve. There's always a peak. If you're only there for the peaks, you'll fall pretty quick. Don't be jealous, be inspired. I'm an anti sister-hood slayer! You have to visual something to make it happen and if you don't enjoy the journey you won't ever like where you end up.
AltSounds: Where’s the place in the UK for finding new and upcoming bands?
Mel: Everywhere, you have to go to your local gig nights. Any local town can have a scene. Keep live music alive. We live in a world wide web now too so the internet. If you really like a band, tell everyone. We're now in a time where a fan demand will launch a band. All labels care about is popularity, not the music and they give nearly all their money to pop because pop = big money and some of the music is great, but great music is missed because it's not shoved in everyone's faces. Shove music you love!
AltSounds: Where’s the best place for a pint?
Mel: Down in one.
You don’t have to tell a hockey girl twice, trust me… otherwise you’ll have to do two! Thanks so much for your time and we’ll look out for Kenelis being shoved all over the place soon!
Let me introduce you to Mel Sanson of Kenelis.
I had the privilidge to chat with Mel about kids, music, love, passion, girlfriends, family history, the future, fans, Twitter and a bunch more stuff us girls spill the beans on. This is probably Mel's most indepth of interviews where she reveals hereself in a way that you've never seen before!
AltSounds: Hey guys, how’s it going?
Mel: So far, 2012 has been outstanding
AltSounds:What have you been up to recently?
Mel: LOADS! Well, in the last 2 weeks I got a band together, wrote a bunch of songs, booked my favourite new producer to record the new EP, attended The L Project press conference, band rehearsals, arranged to do a charity day and I'm currently helping with the line up for Student pride. That's outside of my day job!
AltSounds: If you had to cross breed two animals together to create a super animal that describes your music, what would it be and why?
Mel: A Lion-bird. The wild presence and powerful ROAR of a lion and the sweet cheepy melodies of a rare and magical bird. That also has the ability to squawk!
AltSounds: Right, I’ll stop being silly. Let’s start right at the beginning, how did you guys come together and start making music?
Mel: Well… I've always done music, every opportunity (no matter how geeky) as a kid. Then I learnt guitar. Got a band, we had the same line up for 7 years and had an amazing time. Then our drummer got injured and couldn't play anymore. We had to sadly replace him. Then they all but one became fathers and commitment got more difficult and we had to cancel a German tour. After 8 years of giving my heart, soul and relationship to Kenelis (my gf worked on the label full time for 18 months) we all started hating each other. I had no choice but to end it. I knew my home in my heart was Brighton so we moved here last year. I toured as Kenelis solo in 2011. It was fun and I got to play in Toronto but I missed playing with a band. So, 2 weeks ago I decided to change that. I now have super talented ex BIMM grads, who are now session musicians and its like I've been reborn!
I will always do it, I don't care if I'm playing on the streets of Brighton in 40 years time and everyone thinks I'm some mad old lady that still thinks rock is alive. Everyone else is walking around to space ship beeps!
Mel: My grandparents moved to England from Greece about 80 years ago. Where they lived was invaded by Turkey. My grandad saved up enough to get passports and Sanson was the name. I'm 2nd generation and very proud of my heritage. The original family name was Kenelis but spelt completely differently but I figured if I make the word up, it will be easy to Google etc. I'm not going to have kids so I'm the last Sanson so I guess it keeps my family history alive. It also doesn't pigeon hole the music or genre specific and I like that.
AltSounds: Maybe you’ll decide to have baby Sansons later on. So, you’ve been around for 8 years, how have you developed over that time?
Mel: I used to be shit. Like awful, terrible fake American accent. I got away with it because I just used to rant and people found it entertaining. I found my own style. I really love writing music and performing. I will always do it, I don't care if I'm playing on the streets of Brighton in 40 years time and everyone thinks I'm some mad old lady that still thinks rock is alive. Everyone else is walking around to space ship beeps! I sing now with quite a British accent, which brilliantly is now one of my trademarks. So, I turned that around well haha.
That's what I do, I make myself look at what I've done even if it makes me cringe and make myself change it to what makes me happy with it. I take the risk and hope it pays off. If I'm going to give it, it has to be my all. A year ago I could barely play guitar because I had 2 guitarists. Now I have 1 guitarist and I play second guitar. I've got so much better but that's because I had to. I'm quite lazy when I'm not motivated but I've got my mojo back baby!
AltSounds: Maybe you should have mastered the Welsh accent? No? I’ll stick to that then. What would you say have been a highlight for you, careerwise, up til now?
Mel: Sharing the stage with some of my favourite bands like Ghost of a Thousand and Reuben. Prides, Guilfest, the London gigs, the indigO2 was my favourite and that's why the Kenelis full band come back gig has to be there. Thanks to Feedme Music this is happening at their GLOW event on 17th March. Last year I teamed up with the Women’s Tent Promoters (who did it at Brighton Pride for the previous 10 years) and in a protest to what was Brighton Paid Pride (don't get me started!) we put on a free event, with the best UK lesbian/bi talent and raised a shit load of money for the local LGBT community.
AltSounds: That’s ace! I saw the video for that, looked like a load of fun. Where would you like to see yourselves in a year’s time?
Mel: Oh, fuck knows after the last year?! I'd really like a strong support slot on a tour and I'm starting to meet people now that could make that happen. If the Kenelis Army gets bigger and the new songs go down really well, who knows! I'm very flexible. I'll fucking fly anywhere they send planes to for a shit hot show.
AltSounds: Haha, why the heck not? Do you have any new music for us to check out?
Mel: The second album is out now, it's called 'Fake' you can watch videos and listen on www.kenelis.com. In March I will play the most known tracks, 'Sick' (free on kenelis.com) 'Jealous' (the single) and my personal favourite 'We Could Die Any Minute' you can watch and listen to them all on YouTube. Then the new stuff, we're gonna play some of my new songs at IndigO2 and I'm recording them in April with Chris Coulter (Arcane Roots - that band that covered Smells Like Teen Spirit in Kerrang) who is a phenomenal producer and the new EP will be out in the summer!
AltSounds: Ah, exciting stuff in the pipelines then! You’ve got the show in March at the Indigo o2, how excited are you for this?
Mel: Well as you can see from my extreme plugging of it so far, I'm pissing rainbows! It's such a cool venue, if you YouTube Kenelis 'We Could Die Any Minute', that was filmed there last time we played. Backstage we don't just have our own dressing room, we have a fucking shower! A shower! The people there are super nice too. Did I thank Feedeme Music? Yes and I'll do it again. They're the best promoters in London.
AltSounds: Haha, I think you did, no one can question your gratitude. You’ve played quite a few gay pride events. How was this experience?
Mel: Fun times. I'm definitely not standard Pride music but I like that. A lot of people liked having a ranting lesbian on stage I think, most of all it was a privilege to bring the ROCK!
AltSounds: You have a loyal fanbase, do you social media to connect with them?
Mel: I do. I think anyone that ignores people that have more belief in you than anyone else is a fucking idiot. I hang out with them as much as I can at gigs and I love and appreciate Kenelis support in any form. Fans are the wheels of bands.
AltSounds: Fans have never been appreciated so much I don’t think. What’s the best way to stay grounded, in your opinion?
Mel: Just appreciate what you have. You can bit hot shit one minute and forgotten the next. Things evolve. There's always a peak. If you're only there for the peaks, you'll fall pretty quick. Don't be jealous, be inspired. I'm an anti sister-hood slayer! You have to visual something to make it happen and if you don't enjoy the journey you won't ever like where you end up.
AltSounds: Where’s the place in the UK for finding new and upcoming bands?
Mel: Everywhere, you have to go to your local gig nights. Any local town can have a scene. Keep live music alive. We live in a world wide web now too so the internet. If you really like a band, tell everyone. We're now in a time where a fan demand will launch a band. All labels care about is popularity, not the music and they give nearly all their money to pop because pop = big money and some of the music is great, but great music is missed because it's not shoved in everyone's faces. Shove music you love!
AltSounds: Where’s the best place for a pint?
Mel: Down in one.
You don’t have to tell a hockey girl twice, trust me… otherwise you’ll have to do two! Thanks so much for your time and we’ll look out for Kenelis being shoved all over the place soon!
Buy Indigo2 tickets for 17th March now on kenelis.com
