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Flowers & Kain Interview
B-Flow of Flowers & Kain Talks About His Musical Influences, Future Projects, Goals and Gives a Little Advice.
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FLOWERS & KAIN
(March, 2008)
It was in the early Fall of 2006 when I first heard of Flowers & Kain. My girlfriend and I went to go see Ne-Yo perform in New London, CT. Amidst a handfull of mediocre opening acts stood out a group of confident young guys with awesome chemistry and stage presence. What I heard from them was the most refreshing "hip-hop" I had heard in years. That group was Flowers & Kain. On lead vocals was Bryan Flowers a.k.a. B-Flow, Ryan Kain handled Guitar/Vocals and rounding out the band was Ian Kelly on drums and Ed Briones on bass.
To be fair Flowers & Kain are not exactly a hip-hop group though they do draw heavily from the genre to form their trademark hip-hop/rock/neo-soul sound. Actually, don't be surprised if you catch a bit of funk or reggae influence in their tracks as well.
At a time when a large portion of mainstream "hip-hop" is anything but hip-hop and any innovation in the genre seems to be controlled by corporate interest it's reassuring to hear a band that doesn't concern themselves with labels. If F&K thinks a certain song could use some funk, then Ed and Ian might throw some heavier drum and bass into the mix. If they think the same track could benefit from a bit of rock then Kain might provide a dope guitar riff. To top it off B-Flow's mastery of rhythm allows him to adjust his flow over just about any track.
Before when I said that F&K was the most refreshing hip-hop I had heard in years I meant it. To me F&K is hip-hop. They embody the pioneering spirit of hip-hop and maintain the original ingenuity and excitement of the artform. However, what is hip-hop music without an MC? That's where B-Flow comes in. When you listen to B-Flow you can tell he's been influenced by the likes of old-school Jay-Z, for example, an element that should satisfy even the most traditional hip-hop heads.
Nonetheless, hip-hop alone is not F&K's biggest draw. If you've ever been to a Flowers & Kain show you'll know that a large part of their fanbase consists of females, most of which I think it's fair to say are not hard-core hip-hop fans. Their ability to appeal to a wide audience is one of their most marketable qualities...and they've done it without compromising their sound.
Recently I took a moment to talk to B-Flow, the MC of the group, about the band's current projects and other topics of interest to aspiring MC's. Below is our chat which I hope will provide some useful insights into the art of MC'ing and the music business.
I hope you enjoy the interview and as always feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about the interview or the site.
- B-Flow
Flowers & Kain - Mary Jane
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How would you briefly describe Flowers & Kain to a first time listener?
B-Flow: I would call it "real music". I'd be like, "they got a little bit of everything, we're gonna have fun at their live show!"
TSOHH: Who did you grow up listening to, or more exactly, who if anyone, has influenced your music throughout the years?
B-Flow: The Kain of FLOWERS & KAIN and I , have been best friends since age 5, so we grew up listening to Led Zepplin, then A Tribe Called Quest album after. Classic rock & rap have always been our lives.
TSOHH: With the emergence of new media forms (mp3’s) and outlets (iTunes) we’ve seen “pressed” record sales expectations drop across the map. What kind of new goals are indie artists such as yourselves setting in the wake of all this?
B-Flow: Making that mp3 money, keeping the fans happy about their purchase. We'd never hold out on the right offer, though.
TSOHH: I’ve heard “2 O’Clock Man” on New London based 107.7 FM a few times. Could you explain to our visitors the process of getting your song on local radio stations…or at least how it came about for you?
B-Flow: Play a lot of shows. Chum The Skrilla Guerilla from 107.7 FM was in the crowd one night and loved it, he features on the album, and has been a huge asset.
TSOHH: Ok that's cool shouts to Chum...so can you tell us a little bit more about the album?
B-Flow: The new album is our 1st real shot at the world. I'v done albums before but this one, we did professionally. I'm proud of it, New London's proud of it, we're ready to take on the universal scene. I can't think of any band that is better than us in 2008. .
TSOHH: Flowers & Kain is also well known for their entertaining live performances. How did you go about booking your first show?
B-Flow: Our buddy was doing a Monday night gig at Hanafin's Irish pub in New London and he called Kain to see if he would come play. Kain invited me knowing what we had and BOOM.
TSOHH: A trend towards the fusion of musical genres over the years has brought about some really unique bands such as Flowers & Kain. In regards to the creation process, do you usually tailor-make tracks for a specific audience or does the creation depend more on the vibe and feedback between members? Or both?
B-Flow: It's just how we feel that day. We listen to so much music, we tailor make what we love. If it's not hit material we're not playing it.
TSOHH: Where can fans in and out of the New England area listen to and purchase your music? Where are some of the places you perform at?
B-Flow: They can check us out on iTunes after March 28th, Snocap on myspace.com/flowersandkain, and shows are on the Myspace calendar too.
TSOHH: I know you guys have a show coming up in the Hard Rock Café at Foxwoods Casino. Can you tell us more about that and any other plans or projects you have in the works for the future?
B-Flow: We're doing a benefit concert for Hard Rock. We played the "Founder's day" last year so we're bankin' on a crazy night March 27th!
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B-Flow: Well, to be real honest it's gonna be one of the hottest shows of the year. I wouldn't tell anyone to miss it. We're gonna have a trombonist, and special guests "Trenity Techniques" who features on the album. Kain's hype and the rest of the boys can't wait either. We're only playing songs off the album that night! Only! Hahaha. People wanna hear the hits, and the old stuff, and new freestyles, and they usually get it. That night though we're gonna stick to the script.
TSOHH: Yeah you got some classics already...but the show sounds hot. If you could see yourself 10 years ago what advice would you give the younger you?
B-Flow: Keep listening to them albums, and stay in church, and the school band. Being in the band wasn't cool at my school, but I did it until the 9th grade. It only made me a better musician.
TSOHH: Any final words of advice for aspiring musicians around the globe checking out this interview?
B-Flow: Don't stop, cause I'm not and neither are the next 2000 hot rapper/artists being born everyday.
TSOHH: Alright well I appreciate you taking the time out to let TSOHH grill you a bit. The entire band is very innovative and has major talent. I’m without a doubt that you’ll make some new fans after this interview. If there’s anything else you’d like to say the floor is yours.
B-Flow: Carlos, thanks for taking the time out to do this . That means alot to us, and says alot about the real "state of hip hop". God Bless, Stay potent! New London, Connecticut representin' FLOWERS & KAIN!