Adaptability is a necessary quality for survival. Despite the loss of lead singers, major shifts in audience demographics, and the relentless evolution of today's popular music scene, Montreal band Kobayashi remains in harmony with their ever-changing environment. Since its inception six years ago, Kobayashi has won the respect of fans across Canada and the eastern States, producing three critically acclaimed albums and playing two International Jazz Festivals. Bassist Radu Falcon sits down with us to discuss the band's journey.
Montréal Magazine: Kobayashi has been described as jazz-meets-funk-meets-hip hop-meets-electronica. Where did the concept come from?
Radu Falcon: Franklin, one of the sax players, and Evan the DJ got together and had the idea of putting jazz with more contemporary and electronic stuff, but in no way was the initial idea what it is now. It has come a long way and because of the players and changes in the band, we've had to evolve.
MM: Would you describe yourselves as more of a live band or a studio band?
RF: Before I would have said, 'If you really want to see Kobayashi go see them live,' but now it's changing. With the last CD, we tried to spend more money to get a sound that's a bit different. It's still not exactly what we want, and to a certain extent it's still a more interesting experience live, but the album does reflect what we do. It's more of a balance now.
MM: How were you received during last year's Jazz Festival?
RF: There were a good couple thousand people. We had 100 copies of our CD in the kiosk, and they sold out in an hour. It's a weird feeling when that happens, because you realize what happens when mass amounts of people get into it. Things just explode.
The moment we began to focus on the product,
the music became more professional, more artistically interesting.
MM: Besides the departure of your MC and one of your lead singers, how has the band changed from its first Jazz Fest in 2003 as compared to last year's?
RF: We used to be very concerned with what the audience thought, especially since our music used to be a lot "dancier." Then, as we moved forward to being jazzier, we got concerned that people weren't dancing. But we realized that people still liked it, it's just that the audience changed. In general you shouldn't care too much about what the audience thinks, because you're going to start compromising and it turns out badly. We play for ourselves, and the moment we really began to focus on the product, the music became more professional, more artistically interesting.
MM: I understand that your lead vocalist, Eleni Gogas, has left the band. How will this affect your next album and your upcoming cross-Canada tour?
RF: We know that we have to look for a new singer so we've put some of the album writing on hold. For this tour, our old singer wasn't supposed to go, but she's generous enough to put things in her life on hold and come with us. But after that, we really have to buckle down and find someone.
MM: Where does Kobayashi play in Montreal?
RF: Le Swimming was probably our home away from home a couple of years ago, but now we prefer to put on independent performances, where we can promote ourselves and put a good show together rather than just go into a club. We're around for about three or four shows a year in Montreal. If people really want to see us they can check out our website (www.kobayashimusic.com) and we send out a newsletter once every month or two with updates.
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