Crowdsurf & Turf Meets: Kali Masi
Kali Masi have toured relentlessly over the years and since their debut release ‘Wind Instrument’ in 2017 they’ve only gone from strength to strength.
We caught up with Singer & Guitarist Sam Porter to discuss their incredible sophomore album ‘[laughs]’ released today (25/03) and got to know the band even better.
Hey guys, congratulations on the release of ‘[laughs]’ How are you feeling now it’s finally about to be released? How long has this album been in progress
We’re so stoked that its finally out. We’ve been working on it since we released Wind Instrument in 2017. And when I say ‘working on it’- I mean, occasionally poking around with new songs for years and then really locking into writing and finishing songs for the entirety of 2019. We were touring a lot and also hold down full-time jobs at home, so just to be completely honest, finding the time to write songs and make them good takes a lot of time that we had to find in between other obligations. I’m really happy we took our time with it to give it the attention it deserves.
Firstly, can we talk about the beginning of Kali Masi, where are you from and how did you all meet?
The four of us (Sam, Wes, Anthony, John) all live within a few miles of each other in Chicago, Illinois. John and I met in Highschool and formed the band initially. We met Wes when we were both in Arts College and we met Anthony down at The Fest in Gainesville in 2017- he joined the band shortly after that.
How do you feel about the current Chicago music scene and it's history?
Chicago rules. There’s a ton of great music coming out of our city right now, and always has been. We have an obligatory influence from a lot of bands from this city and the peripheral of it. Everything from Braid, Alkaline Trio, The Smashing Pumpkins and Urge Overkill to Kanye West, SABA and Jesse Saunders- Chicago has a DENSE history of incredible and dynamic music. We’re just happy to be here.
You’re hosting a Virtual Record Release Livestream for ‘[laughs]’, can you talk about how you picked some of the artists performing alongside yourselves?
We reached out to a ton of our friends and peers and people who have been a part of our history in some way. Whether it was bands we shared entire tours with or just bands we all listen to- we reached out and asked people to just play a song or two, or maybe just tell a story. An overwhelming amount of people said yes, I think everyones itching to play shows, and not having to leave your house or play a full set makes it a really easy thing to contribute something to!
How was the songwriting and recording process for the album? Was there more or less pressure making this record compared to your debut?
The only pressure that was there was pressure that we put on ourselves and each other to take risks and do our best. We weren’t worried about making another Wind Instrument or anything. We just wanted to make a record that felt accurate to our identity as four individuals and as a band. As far as a process, it varies between me coming to the band with a finished song ready to record, or sometimes I just have a riff that we slowly build on for… three years (?) until it feels ready. And all sorts of methods in-between that. :]
Was working with Producer Jay Maas again an obvious decision?
For us, yes. We wanted to work with Jay again for a lot of reasons, both personal and logical. Above all else, we just have enormous respect and admiration for him and the way he works and how much he cares. We trust him on a professional and emotional level with our art, and I think our artistic relationship is mutually beneficial because of that.
I read that you all have varying tastes in music, does that ever cause issues or does it help when writing new music?
We definitely butt heads a lot. But, I think that It helps a ton because everyone is hearing different things when we’re writing and can see the song moving in different directions. I may choose for the song to move in a direction that feels very obvious to me but is completely jarring to John, and that discourse is interesting and important.
What can we expect next from Kali Masi, after rescheduling your original tour dates I presume you’re hoping to be back touring as soon as possible? My fingers are crossed that I’ll be singing along to these new tunes at London’s New Cross Inn in December.
Definitely hoping to come across the pond this fall. We’ve got some stuff in the works, but as we all know from this last year., the horizon is sort of just this illusion that we’re running towards. Fingers crossed! I remain very optimistic for the future of music.
QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS:
Favourite movies?
Goodfellas, The Prestige, Stranger Than Fiction, My Cousin Vinny, Magnolia
4 essential items you have to take on tour…
Sleeping Bag, Phone Charger, Water Bottle, Earplugs/eye cover
The best gig you've ever been to?
The Hives, white suit-era, Metro Chicago
Who have you enjoyed listening to most in the last 6 months?
Growing Stone - I Had Everybody Snowed
Choir Boy - Gathering Swans
Kills Birds - S/T
Nils Frahm - Felt
SABA - Care For Me
Land Of Talk - Indistinct Conversations
Into It. Over It. - Figure
TORRES - Silver Tongue