Kelli Strawbridge and Devonne Harris of KINGS have a presence. When you’re with them, you feel like you’re part of something different… something big. Described as the heart and soul of the Jellowstone Records family, the KINGS manifesto is that music is royal, music is KING. Their self-titled record debut will be released on March 3rd, and they’re all about bringing vintage R & B back to RVA, and back to life.
Kelli Strawbridge and Devonne Harris of KINGS have a presence. When you’re with them, you feel like you’re part of something different… something big. Described as the heart and soul of the Jellowstone Records family, the KINGS manifesto is that music is royal, music is KING. Their self-titled record debut will be released on March 3rd, and they’re all about bringing vintage R & B back to RVA, and back to life.
KINGS was born out of an accidental collaboration. Devonne gave Kelli a mix CD of his own recordings and Ohbliv’s music. There was a Donny Hathaway-esque ballad on the CD written by Devonne, and Kelli threw his own vocals over it. This new sound excited both musicians and ignited something big.
Kelli says, “I eventually played it for Devonne and he was into it. So, we got into messing with stuff, and that’s how it came around. It was kind of an accident. We didn’t have a name for it, didn’t have a concept for it, but once we came up with the song ‘Strange Love,’ it really sounded like old school R & B.”
As I sit across from Kelli, he is the definition of cool. He is comfortable in his skin, and knows exactly what he stands for. And our interview continues…
Why was KINGS created?
“I think of all of those guys that haven’t been recognized… I think of them as kings, as royalty, but without the recognition that artists like Prince and Michael Jackson receive. This is what KINGS represents. We are gonna pay tribute to those guys, the unknowns, and really bring that spirit. It is more of a recording project for me to overcome my issues around getting into the studio and really getting out of my own head. Originally, there was no label, there was no nothing. It was just Devonne and myself.”
Who writes the songs?
“Devonne had one track he did a long time ago, and I wrote lyrics to that. Same with ‘Strange Love.’ Pretty spontaneously and quickly. He gave me five tracks, and I used lyrics and music I had written to add to his tracks. Mostly it’s a lot of collaboration. Also, jamming. We will be jamming on shit, and suddenly it becomes something.”
And Reggie Pace joins us for a drink. Talk about a presence. Reggie is the accomplished founder and creator of Jellowstone Records. He’s also an acclaimed musician who performs with NO BS Brass, Bon Iver, Pace Cadets, and more.
Reggie says, “This is big, really. KINGS was one of the groups that the Jellowstone label was created on. This is one of the original projects that’s going to have a LOT of records. I can envision several KINGS records. KINGS is the backbone. And Devonne, he’s the backbone. This is our R & B thing. People were behind this music so fast, it really caught me off guard. It just happened. It’s organic. People are behind it.”
Kelli adds, “This record breaks a lot of rules. It brings back old rules that used to be accounted for. Having a baffle in front of drums, mic bleeding, recording the tape, a lot of forgotten methods. We are using them on the record. Even now, people might throw a little taste of an old method onto the record, but it gets glossed over. On our record, you can really hear the distortion. It’s raw. It’s special. We took our time with it.”
A few days later I sat down with Devonne Harris, also known as DJ Harrison. Devonne is part of so many musical groups that it’s hard to keep up with him. KINGS, Butcher Brown, Pace Cadets, Charles Owens Trio, Marcus Tenney Trio, and many more. He is evidently self-aware and has his own swagger. He is also introspective, thoughtful, and authentic in person. Devonne has composed the majority of the music for KINGS, and is also the mastermind behind the recording process. He has been recording for over half of his young life.
“I’ve been recording at my house since I was thirteen years old. I have a box of four-track cassette tapes, and no one has even heard them. It’s modest, but I’ve always liked the old school sound of recording on tapes.”
Devonne considers himself to be a studio rat. He lives and breathes music, and he feels that recording music provides an aural diary; a place to capture a moment, an experience, a transition. The music he is creating is attracting national attention. In fact, his band Butcher Brown will be playing at SXSW this year, as well as his solo act, DJ Harrison.
“I have different creative avenues I like to explore. It’s important to push boundaries. The art of music is being saved, but the audience participation portion has changed. Going to the record store, buying the record, listening to the record, looking at the record credits while listening to it… really taking it in–doesn’t happen as much anymore. That’s what I want to bring back. The desire to really listen and soak it all in.”
Also on the KINGS record is Keith Askey, a Grammy award winning guitar player, and close friend to Kelli and Devonne. Keith plays in many groups in Richmond, and is stoked to be on the KINGS record as well. He’s humble and genuine for sure. He joined us for part of the interview. I asked him what draws him to Jellowstone Records, and to KINGS.
“We are people first. We are just friends, really. We go out and eat pho together. It’s the right people, and the right fit. Everybody happens to be really good at what they do, but everybody’s pushing each other to be better. I try to be modest, but if I am talking about the group as a whole, my ego is through the roof. The confidence is there. And really, everybody’s just really funky.”
Keith talks more about how rehearsals at Jellowstone are just fun. This group of musicians works hard, and takes music seriously, but loves to have fun and works to remain grounded and humble, never forgetting their roots.
Jumping back to Devonne. We discuss his roots, history, and music in Richmond. “We’re living in the capital of the confederacy; a little old civil war town. I’ve always had this theory that music comes from the river. With Richmond having so much history–a center for the slave trade, being the epicenter, it’s like the roots of the gospel are in the soil, in the water. There’s history everywhere. If you can find a connection to that, you’ll feel really grateful, and the music really helps that too. Because this is where it all comes from. Music comes from people and their roots. Music is true and real for people who believe in it.”
One thing Devonne said really struck me. He grew up with a single mom, in the hood, pretty poor. He said that when you grow up with nothing, you appreciate everything. “My life has been great. With all the shit I’ve been through, my life has been great. Everything inspires me to do everything.”
When I asked Devonne about his dream for KINGS he responds, “For KINGS, a world tour. Richmond is an up and coming place. I have felt it since I moved here. RVA music is on the rise. Just watch out.”
Butcher Brown and additional Jellowstone Records key players often join KINGS in recording and also in live shows. You can see most of their collaborators in the video for “Strange Love.” Keith Askey, Andrew Randazzo, Corey Fonville, Armando Munoz, Reggie Pace, Marcus Tenney, CJ Boisseau, Charles Owens, to name a few. Their record was produced at Jellowstone Records, and mastered at Montrose Studios. This is a homegrown record, for sure. KINGS self-titled debut record will be released on March 3, 2015.
If you haven’t heard KINGS live, you need to. KINGS will be playing on March 6th at Sound of Music, with Butcher Brown opening. Doors open at 9 PM, admission is $5. CDs will be available for purchase. For more info, click here.
