Getting to Know… Kyle Kendall (01:25) | Interview 🎤

In the 358^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, Kyle Kendall gives us the inside scoop on his solo project, 01:25.

“01:25 I think is really interesting because I grew up listening to progressive, power, and melodic death metal but I’ve never had the most aggressive voice.” Fair enough, 🎙 Kyle Kendall! Of his solo project, Kendall continues,  “[01:25 is] kind of this amalgamation of those styles with some basic rock and pop structures.” Like our many other Getting to Know Q&As, we get the inside scoop on Kendall: the genesis and goals of 01:25, his musical influences, and of course, current, and future musical endeavors, including 01:25 and another band he is a member of, 🎙 Our Sorrows. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know…Kyle Kendall: Interview No. 358!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes 01:25 distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

01:25 I think is really interesting because I grew up listening to progressive, power, and melodic death metal but I’ve never had the most aggressive voice. So, it’s kind of this amalgamation of those styles with some basic rock and pop structures. I think it’s familiar enough but scratches an itch that I couldn’t find in other bands.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did 01:25 begin and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

So, 01:25 is just me, but it spawned from this concept I had of an animated series with no dialogue where the songs themselves were the episodes. I’ve since discovered just how expensive animation is and didn’t want to sit on the songs any longer.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

They’ve definitely changed in the aspect that I’m trying to raise funding to make the animation happen and currently writing a second album.

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

I do this thing where I remember bands I used to and then realize just how much they’ve influenced my writing. But I’ll try to condense the list the best I can.

Nightwish: I think Thomas Holopainen is one of the best songwriters of our time

Opeth: Mikael Åkerfeldt is right there next to him for me and I think they both have unique things they do that I’ve just bastardized and merged together over the years

Iced Earth: I think Matt Barlow is so underrated in the modern metal community but between him and Tony Kakko they were integral to me stretching my range as a singer.

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

I think the weirdest tour story I have is from an old band I was in called Mayday! Cried The Captain we booked a Florida tour going up and down the state. We show up at this theatre we’re playing, and it is just packed, I mean no parking. Nothing. Go to find the promoter, and finally do but not before finding out it was a high school battle of the bands. One of the students booked us and was paying us but the school didn’t know about it. So, we get halfway through our second song and they’re unplugging us. Telling us we’re over time. We still got paid and made some fans from it, but man that was weird.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

There’s quite a few that are special for me in their own rights. 🎙 Our Sorrows  has a song called 🎵 “Anima” that started out as a farewell letter for an un-aliving attempt I was planning. So that one holds a special place in my heart.

There’s a few songs coming out on the next album that really mean the world to me, as well as some upcoming 01:25 songs that come from a very deep place of loneliness and regret that I hope translate for the listener.

Is there anything else awesome, cool, or left of center the world should know about you? Secret talents or surprising tidbits?

Um, I’m a big fan of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I’ve been doing both on and off (mostly off) since 2009. I’m a massive anime fan, perpetually obsessed with the Final Fantasy series. I used to play Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield competitively and I’m a washed up former diamond League of Legends player.

Closing out, what are you currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

Our Sorrows has a few more songs coming this year in addition to a new album as well as the debut album of 01:25 releasing.

Thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to answer these questions, and best of luck moving forward. 

Follow… 01:25: IG• Facebook • Spotify

Getting to Know… Kyle Kendall (01:25): Interview No. 358 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Kyle Kendall; Tumisu via Pixabay]