We had an awesome opportunity to chat with Award-winning fiddle player and musician Karrnnel . Check it out below.
Hi, Karrnnel! Thank you for granting the interview. It is a pleasure to speak with you about your brand new solo double album “Crazy Old Man” and “SKMB.” What inspired the release?
Thank you for having me! The first album, Crazy Old Man, is my new solo album featuring half songs and half instrumentals. It was inspired by a combination of (1) my new obsession with my new instrument (the copper fiddle with 2 octave strings), (2) my goal to record an album with a horn section and big band, and (3) to release songs that feature me playing fiddle and singing at the same time. Each individual track on the album was inspired by an event or written for a person or their experience. SKMB is an album of songs I wrote for three guest singers – Joey Landreth, Amy Matysio (who is also my wife), and Ken Hamm – and spans a wide span of genres, but is tied together with my fiddle as the main solo backing instrument. All the songs were also created with purposed inspiration or for someone.
What is it about the albums that are a must-listen?
The easy answer is to hear the copper fiddle. First, there are very very few around (I am not even sure if there are more than two or three). Secondly, as a fiddle player, I am striving to create a tone for my playing on the copper fiddle that is 100% uniquely my sound. Also, the music that I wrote for both albums is really the story of my life thus far. Love, loss, death, joys, hardships, lessons – you name it and it can be heard on these two albums.
What should the audience expect?
The audience should expect a journey, and just like every journey, there are bound to be some surprises. I think that is what is most exciting as a listener. It is the unknown journey of a first listen and then the discoveries and rediscoveries within the music the more times you listen to the music.
What has the feedback been, thus far?
People have really responded very positively – the albums are getting great reviews and great airplay. Since there is such a wide cross-section of genres represented on the album, it has reached several different music markets.
What has been your biggest takeaway in your music career, thus far?
Creativity breeds creativity. The more time I spend being creative musically, the more easily creativity enters all streams of my life. And I believe this goes the other direction as well.
How important is it for a musician to expand their portfolio?
I think it is very important in the context of how the music industry is similar to almost all other industries in being an industry of people and personal connections. The wider your musical portfolio is, the wider your network grows, and that creates opportunities that you could never imagine.
If you could choose a piece to compose, what would it be and why?
I would love to compose a song for Paul McCartney (or compose a song with him) and hear him sing it. I just figure hearing a legend sing one of your songs would be magic. Dream big!
Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the music industry?
The people, experiences, and creating music. It has given me a life that by no means follows a predictable path, and I am so thankful for each surprise every day brings.
[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOJ17oDbLvU”]
Do you have any upcoming music projects/events that we haven’t mentioned?
will be doing a Toronto double album release show coming soon – details are being confirmed very shortly. Visit www.karrnnel.com for info.
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything with my music, I would…
Continue creating the music that I want to and collaborating with more and more musicians to maintain and sustain a career to support my family. But also, I would love to play Massey Hall.
Connect with Karrnnel:
About Author
