Five Questions with KES

Across the Caribbean, there are breakout artistes and entertainers who have surpassed expectations and waved their country’s flags proudly for audiences around the world. And, it is among this elite class that KES ranks.

First formed as a collaborative effort between brothers, KES’s musical roots go back as far as the ‘80s, when Jon and Hans Dieffenthaller were inspired by the ineffable works of Van Halen to form a band.

Hans, who is said to be the mastermind behind the idea, built his own drums with buckets, and made a hi-hat with PVC. While Jon had a bass guitar he got at a second-hand shop, and through his ingenuity, used a nail for pick-ups.

While they were praised for their early insight and passion, the brothers eventually upgraded to proper instruments with the help of their father, while a stage was built in their backyard to facilitate their blossoming talent.

The final piece of the puzzle came in the form of frontman, lead singer, and the youngest of the three brothers, Kees.

Kees, who was at the time a flourishing R&B singer, joined the group as they entered a local talent competition – which they won with a cover of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody – and the rest is history.

Following a few band additions, several albums, many hit singles, and world-class collaborations, Kes the Band is recognised globally as one of the faces of Trinidad and Tobago and the island’s main musical export, soca.

With infectious tracks like Wotless, Savannah Grass, and Tuesday on the Rocks under their belt, the band has kept generations of carnival lovers jumping and dancing their troubles away.

The Gleaner’s Five Questions With … had a chance to catch up with lead singer Kees to discuss the love for carnival, how the band creates music and what’s next.

1. What would you say carnival means to you and, by extension, the Caribbean? Carnival for me is the freedom to be, the expression of our cultures through music, art and celebration. It is also a reminder to the system that when the people decide to shut everything down and party in the streets, it is so. Carnival’s roots came from the Emancipation celebrations in the 1800s and it’s an honour to carry on the tradition into these times.

2. Share with us the process that goes into creating some of your infectious hits that get people jumping and grooving. First and important step is to have fun when creating. It’s important to be around this energy when bringing these songs to life. It’s also about tapping into the aspects of Carnival and culture that means something to you, whether it be the sound, feel, topic or all of the above.

3. Describe one of your most memorable moments from Carnival, whether it be performing or participating in the revelry. A great memory is the first time I crossed the carnival main stage in the Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad. I was about 17 and I ‘stormed’ the band when a female friend gave me her pass. I never thought I’d play mas that day or even cross the stage. It was exhilarating and spontaneous.

4. What was the inspiration behind your latest album, ‘Man with no Door’? To create a body of work that taps into the different creative spaces I enjoy making music with. It’s creative freedom really. Each track has its own lane and purpose and covers the sounds of the Caribbean, Africa and the world. My journey in music over the years has given me the opportunity to experience and be influenced by many different sounds and cultures, the aim was to put it all in one space. No doors, no limits.

5. What can fans expect from Kes the Band for the rest of the year? We will be touring the world, spreading the music and vibes as far and wide as possible. Breaking new grounds and kicking down the doors that separate us.

kenrick.morgan@gleanerjm.com