Kikwizard - Quest for the Current
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Release Date: Nov 18, 2005
Featuring: Stephanie Smith, Tara McGeehan, Dan Reynolds, Capt. Cromley Legussa, Lord Krachet, Dave Campbell, Ross "Sir Sauce MC" Conklin, Bob Gatto, Lars Swanson, Sofya Mervis, and Jeff Franklin.Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Kikwizard. I create therefore I am.
"I am a soul on a gaia known as earth" - to quote myself on Tenacious Humans, the opening to the Q4TC. Introductions aren't my specialty so I guess I am a tenacious human too. But really... What really is current? What is it to be on a quest? I won't answer any of those. In fact, I'm not even gonna go any further.
Quest for the Current is my 19th album. It is both a beginning and an end in my career. It is a beginning in that it shows the ever-more maturing and diverse sound of the music I create. Some of the styles that are visited and expressed have never before been heard in my music. In contrast, this also brings to an end the Kikwizard era. hold the tears, please. More than likely I will continue my solo music, but more on a personal, smaller level.
But, lets get down to the nitty-gritty. You're here because you'd like to get to know the Quest a little better. Let me begin by saying this album is reminiscent of The Spiral Staircase and/or The UnderTure because of the collaborative nature of the music. The album shows a lot more of an aged sound, as my listening interests are ever-changing. It also has a slight feel of The Fantastic Voyage in that it is very introspective and exploring. Perhaps the most notable aspect of the Quest is Stephanie Smith showing up on multiple tracks - a completely new thing to any of my albums.
"end meets the beginning, move within the spirit"
Let me give you details about the songs themselves.
1. Tenacious Humans MP3 This is a bouncy track that I researched in my mind a little more than other songs. Features a combination of drum sources - the only one on the record! You might find this to be one of the more aggressive tracks on the album. The ending to this one contains a sample from A Day in the Life by the Beatles. Take 1
2. To + From + Back Again MP3 This is a multi-collaborative effort straight from the massive trip to the beach. It feels a bit like a Traveling Wilburys song. The vibe is warm. This song features Captain Cromley Legussa, Lord Krachet (excellent lead guitar as well), and Dave Campbell on vocal talents. I often question my ability to sing. Take 1
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3. Bachinram Blues. MP3 The first of the Steph songs to be heard on the record. Even though this seems like its risqué in the beginning, it turns out to be a slow swinger. This was the first song we wrote together. Take 1 |
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4. In Search Of. . . MP3 This is a track featuring the zany talents of Lars GUSTAV Swanson. Its a bit of progressive venturing, blatant metal, and nonsense. You will never realize what we're talking about. Boobjob! Take 4 |
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5. Subluna. MP3 This one gets props for being one of the most innovative songs on the album. It really shows off Steph's bass and airy, poetic vocal. The title of the song obviously means Under the Moon. This one gets stuck in my head all the time. Take 1
6. DBJK MP3 This is a jazzy/funky jam track between me and Jeff Franklin. We added sparse percussion to the bass/drum combo, but was not used in the end mix. It kinda reminds me of Roni Size. The title obviously means Druim and Bass, Jeff and Kik. Take 1
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7. The Fear of Emptiness. MP3 This one is a solo song. It was originally called It Is. The change occurred when I rewrote the lyrics to reflect a feeling I had experienced several times in my life. The music to the song seemed to go along well with the vibe of that feeling. The backing track is a combination of cuts of both takes 1 and 2 of It Is. This is the only song on the album to feature a guitar solo from myself. Take 1 and 2 |
8. Purpose MP3 Courtesy of Agent Smith. Straight outta the Matrix: Reloaded.
9. Out of Time. MP3 This number completely rocks. It single-handedly moves the listener along and does it gently. Being an instrumental it may seem like it needs lyrics. I say no to lyrics sometimes. This track features guitarist Dan Reynolds rocking both the guitar and some percussion. Take 1
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10. Incky Suitte. MP3 This was the first song recorded for this album. It was also the first public track way back earlier in 2005. Being that it was a song I originally did on The Next Trick album, and that it was massively reworked, I decided to respell its title. Incky Suitte features Steph on bass and whispers; and also features the vocal and keyboard talents of the one and only Tara McGeehan. Take 1 |
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11. Sands MP3 This was a song that was done the last day we were at the beach. It features me and Sir Sauce on guitars. It also features Bob Gatto on lead hand - drum. It also got a face-lift from Sofya Mervis on keyboards months later on at the studio. Like the other song To and from..., the vibe is light and warm. Take 1 |
12. Hodge Podge - A collection of things. MP3
first - The song The Light is the first piece of this collection. It was a quick idea that I weaved together during a session with another song. Since it didn't really take up much time on the record, I decided to place it together in this mixture of material.
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second - The skit was very impromptu when it was created. I originally wanted to do a longer format version of the skit, but found I didn't have enough time to complete it. Features the Lord Krachet as the host of the show - and big props to him for recording it as well. |
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third - The poem is a little tid-bit I did a while back. It seemed to need a place and this was it.
13. Number 13. MP3 I've never been superstitious, but this time I decided to make something a little weird to bridge the gap from 12 to 14. Features demonic sounds, and we all love those.
14. Why Not. MP3 This was recorded in my apartment in the closet. Its very strange in that it almost doesn't make sense. But then again, it does kinda make sense. Ha!! see for yourself. Take 2
In conclusion: Q4TC can be summed up as simply a collection of musical ideas that were gathered together. It is what it is, good or bad, strong or weak. When I began the Quest, I wanted something fast lived, quickly formed, and up-to-date. Thus, the word Current in the title really is for both the natural flow of things and that which is now.
As far as the future goes, The Godfathers will be my main outlet for playing live. Stay Tuned for information on upcoming tour dates from the GodFathers. Sir Sauce and I will be making a follow-up album to The Conversation.
Don't worry, I may someday return as the Kikwizard. In some way, I'll always be the Kikwizard as much as I'd love if Kev the Rev wasn't already in use and such an icon in this area.
Furthermore, I know that someday I will make The OverTure. I envision an album like that to have mini-bands for each song, kind of like The UnderTure on heroin. Hopefully bringing rock home one more/last time.
