www.facebook.com/kono.musicsb
Sounds like: Hard Rock
From: California
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "Kono" and is there any meaning behind it?
I started playing music very early because my dad has always been a children's music teacher, session pianist, and live musician in Santa Barbara, California since he moved here. I began to play drums at age 7, and then picked up guitar, vocals, and bass, in that order. I started writing songs when I was a teenager, when I started to meet some of my best friends that are part of the Kono project - in terms of media and live players. I had a college band after that, which included people that now film and edit our videos! Over the course of doing all that, and being obsessed with everything under the Hard Rock umbrella, I developed the Kono sound which is very reminiscent of my strongest influences in Classic Rock from the early 1970's to Punk, Metal, and really anything heavy that takes a lot of energy and conviction to perform. My name is Logan Kono, and I figured Kono would be a cool band name - my father is Japanese American so there is a slight cultural angle to it.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
I want everyone, kids and adults, boys and girls, to be energized and inspired to work hard at what they love in life. I've adopted Rock ' N Roll as a craft and a high art form, because I believe it is one the most versatile and variable art forms that we as humans have created. It's what inspires me to work hard in every facet of my life and create art from nothing.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
1970's influenced Hard Rock with Punk and jumpy Fuzz-Laden overtones. Familiar but not retro.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Unrealistically (for right now!), all of my influences. Realistically some of the great bands in Santa Barbara and around the area we are friends with. "Stood Up!", "ROMPER", "The Pit"
5. How has Covid affected what you do?
In the beginning it shifted our focus to the studio. I wrote and recorded all the parts for the debut, and the live band learned it after. We ended up developing a neat business model actually. The live show, the records, and the music videos/media aren't super co-dependent on each other since I record everything. Having said that, I really see Kono as an art collective because I couldn't play live or make any of the media without my wonderful team.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Hard Rock?
I think we are in a new DIY age that is rejecting television and big labels. It's hard to make money but it's very exciting because people aren't waiting for others to do things for them - a true artist must make music against obstacles.
7. What's the current music scene like there in California?
Santa Barbara is a very nice city, and the music life is usually pretty mild but encouraging. Kono is going to wake everyone up and hopefully meet a lot of great heavy bands and inspire others in the process.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
I'm just glad I own my very small catalogue. I understand we don't make much, but it is up to the artist to understand copyright law and cover their own intellectual property.
9. What’s next for Kono?
More music videos by the end of the year! A heavy assault on the Santa Barbara live circuit in 2023. Recording another album in 2023. A lot of Rock and a lot of art.
10. Any shoutouts?
Everyone who loves Rock music! My parents, Konrad and Charlotte for supporting all of my artistic endeavors. My musical partner and the bassist in Kono, Dakota Middleton. Everyone who has helped us, they know who they are and we talk to them every week!
