An Indie Band's Journey

Americana/Folk Rock band out of JOMO trying to get paid to do what we love!

[jasonkinneyband]

Just Announced! Jason Kinney Band @ Nathan P Murphy's in Springfield, MO - April 30th

[jasonkinneyband]

“Music, in performance, is a type of sculpture. The air in the performance is sculpted into something.” - Frank Zappa

Like any piece of art… a music performance doesn’t simply happen… There’s a great deal of effort behind the scenes in the hours before and hours after the performance and none of that includes the band practices leading up to the show… And for unsigned bands… The responsibility lies solely on them… Setting up dates and times for rehearsals… Booking shows… Paying for hotels depending upon how far away they travel along with all other travel expenses… Packing up their vehicles… Driving to venues… Unloading the equipment.. Setting up and clearing off the stage area of the storage containers…

Then there’s the sound check… Which can be tedious and exceptionally time consuming depending upon the venue, the type of performance and if the band is able to use their sound equipment or is expected to use some provided by the venue itself… And the sound guy… In this case it’s typically Danny (who also manages the band)… stays near the mixer throughout the show so he can tweak the sound as the performance goes on… Assist with any issues they may have with equipment and deal with venue staff who want certain changes made to the sound quality of the performance… Which happens far more frequently than I would have ever thought to be honest…

After the performance has completed and the venue is closing down… The band still has work to do… They tear down the equipment and repack it… Then reload it into their vehicles… Make sure the stage area is clean… Jason is really good about making sure he leaves the stage area cleaned up for the next band… And then of course… the drive home and unloading the equipment back into their homes…

Despite how long of a day it can be for the band and those involved with helping them get set up… As you can see in the picture below… Having a good time is all about who you’re with… And it’s that attitude that’s carried forward into the performances… No two performances are the same even if the set list is consistent… And for that reason alone… Music can be considered living art… It changes… Evolves… And if you’re lucky… One day you’ll have the chance to become part of Jason’s art yourself…

- Still Remains

[jasonkinneyband]

Missy Elliot postulated “Music should be your escape.” And at least from this writer’s perspective… she’s spot on… Music can be an escape from the stress of your life… From whatever or whomever… I’m sure we’ve all had both… you could really use some relief…  And while music isn’t a long term escape… it can be what your soul needs… The chance to slow down and recoup… A rebooting of one’s piece of mind you could say… Or for those of us who live with constantly racing thoughts… The right music can offer a chance for some much needed quietness… 

I realize suggesting that the addition of music as a means of finding a quiet mind may seem odd… If it helps… you can think of it terms of allowing your mind to block out everything else and simply be in that moment…. Live music not only provides you with the vocals and cohesive instrumentation… It offers the chance to escape into the performance itself… And for a moment… A few minutes… Or if you’re lucky enough to be at one of Jason’s shows… a few hours of quietness… A chance to simply be one with music…

Watching him play whether it’s the full band… A full acoustic set… A duo acoustic set, which could be Jason and Raymond (djembe), or Jason and Terry (acoustic guitar)… Or a rare intimate solo acoustic set… Jason’s smile… his stage presence and his energy is such that you can’t help but find yourself drawn in… Regardless of the venue… Of the other noises one encounters while in the community… When he’s on stage… He’s your focus… as well he should be… The job of the vocalist and lead guitarist is to captivate the audience… Where Jason’s concerned… You’ll also find yourself focusing on him because he’s a musician… Which means he doesn’t simply play music… Jason embodies it… When he sings you see the emotions on his face… Hear them in his voice… witness his feet as they move to the beat… And if you watch closely… You’ll see how his fingers manipulate the strings of his guitar so as to make them sing along with him…

And it’s not simply friends and fans like myself… It’s other musicians who find themselves captivated by his presence… This picture was taken at The Flea in Springfield, MO and features Jason playing the guitar… As well as Kendall James… Who joined us at the show… He’s not only there supporting his friend and fellow musician… He’s immersed in the show… To be able to play a show is one thing.. Performing to the level where fellow musicians will show up and support you is quite the achievement… If you could use an escape or you’re considering the idea and you have the opportunity to come out and join us… As Jason sings in one of his original songs “If You’d Please” - “For just one night let’s just pretend, let’s just see, Let’s just see”

- Still Remains

[jasonkinneyband]

The beautiful Maya Angelou once said “Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” Live music.. More so than any other form when combined photography can freeze passionate moments in time.. When the band performs every detail makes a difference in the overall performance.. Sound check prior to the performance allows them a chance to prepare however it’s not a recording studio.. It’s a live venue.. Last night it was a bar.. The night before it was also bar however that performance was an acoustic set and the space as well as as sound requirements are different… Danny not only manages the band he also runs the sound at almost every show.. And like the settings on my camera.. throughout the night adjustments need to be made to ensure the highest quality output.. Even with those adjustments however there’s always the potential for problems.. Raymond’s drum stick splitting…you see… he can be a bit of a beast on the drums.. A string on Jason’s guitar breaking or in the case of last night.. his wah pedal having internal issues causing problems which are far more noticeable to those of us who are at almost every show… And while it was frustrating it did little in terms of deterring the band as a whole and like any true musician.. The show simply went on.. And the crowd wasn’t any less entertained because there happened to be a few missteps… The fact is.. Playing a show is so much more than simply plugging in an instrument and playing.. There’s a whole world that happens outside of that single performance.. And it’s because of that other world and all it entails… That the show was able to go on and those present were able to surround themselves with the music.. The notes.. The words.. Those very spaces in between and temporarily find solace… Like the rarity of a perfect moment caught on film..

~ Still Remains

[jasonkinneyband]

Our night has begun here on the patio at Whiskey Dick's! For a mere $3 you get a night of live music and $5 specials! Join us!

[jasonkinneyband]

We're live at our first show after all our vacays! Join us at Angelos Tavern I'm Bartlesville OK! There's no cover and Becky will treat you right!

[jasonkinneyband]

Today! Jason Kinney Band @ Backroads Steakhouse in Nevada, MO - September 12th

[jasonkinneyband]

This Weekend! Jason Kinney Band @ Backroads Steakhouse in Nevada, MO - September 12th

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[jasonkinneyband]

Just Announced! Jason Kinney Band @ Backroads Steakhouse in Nevada, MO - September 12th

[jasonkinneyband]

Our acoustic show is well underway here at Dublin's Pass in Downtown Springfield! Come on out, grab a Guinness, and enjoy our live music!

[jasonkinneyband]

Today! Jason Kinney Band @ Dublin's Pass in Springfield, MO - September 5th

[jasonkinneyband]

Livin what we love to do! We're in Downtown Eureka Springs at Rowdy Beaver Den!

[jasonkinneyband]

We're keeping the live music going here at Rowdy Beaver Den in Downtown Eureka Springs! Come on over!

[jasonkinneyband]

It has begun! We're rockin Downtown Eureka Springs at Rowdy Beaver Den! Come on out and help us kick off Labor Day weekend!

[jasonkinneyband]

Today! Jason Kinney Band @ Rowdy Beaver Den in Eureka Springs, AR - September 4th

[jasonkinneyband]

We have two live music shows for your Labor Day weekend festivities! Both shows start at 9 & there's no cover! Join us!