ourINTERVIEWS

KIMBER
of PEACOCK
Without a question, one of the most dynamic bands to come out of region of late has been Peacock. Formed a few years ago, it’s been within the last breath of time that the band has really come into its own. I spoke to the heart and soul of the band, Kimber about the new CD “Royal Plush” and her life as a musician/computer graphic artist....

MB: Hey Kimber, how’s it going.
K: Great, Michael…
MB: So let’s talk about the new CD “Royal Plush”. It’s being released when?
K: February 25th ….Gordon Best Theatre… 5 bucks…. Be there.
MB: And what’s going to happen?
K: We’re giving away free stuff…. And we’re going to play. It’s going to be a rockin’ show.
MB: Blow the doors off the place?
K: Yes!
MB: Should I write this stuff down for you?
K: (laughs) Next question.
MB: Where did the title “Royal Plush” come from ? Who came up with that?
K: I don’t know…. I think I did.
MB: You’re taking ownership of that?
K: Yeah, like naming the band.
MB: Was it a hard thing to do?
K: We spent more money, Michael. It was “Royal Plush”. (laughs)
MB: Sounds like it has big cushions of red velveteen with big buttons.
K: There was a Hammond B3 and a big Leslie involved, so it was very plush.
MB: And where was it recorded?
K: In London.
MB: That’s Ontario, not England, right?
K: I usually leave that last little part out. “Oh, in London?” (laughs) Most people don’t ask us if it was Ontario.
MB: Sorry… OK, everyone live the fantasy, it was London England and…
K: Yes, yes…
MB: And there were some big wigs involved with this production, no?
K: Yes at mastering and mixdown we had Jeremy Darby and Peter Moore. Peter Moore’s a god. We were really excited to work with them. We’re actually getting ready for our next album and Peter Moore’s working on it.
MB: And they’re excited to be working with you?
K: Yes… it’s nice. Everyone is happy, happy all around so far.
MB: No doubt. This is serious product Kimber. Anyone listening or reading, this is a definite must buy. [We spoke earlier, and I asked Kim what the worst question she’d been asked during an interview was. She told me… and so I asked it again] So, Kimber what separates you from other bands?
K: Michael Bell!! OK that’s it, you’re out of here! (laughs) OK, let’s see… I have a salmon guitar, an electric, an American Telecastor… I like it a lot. A 60’s rebirth….
MB: Alright, the guitar….
K: Most of them are a bit taller… some are shorter.
MB: You don’t seem to show as much skin as most rock divas do… you’re not selling the sex?
K: Well, I really hadn’t thought about it. I just want to be comfortable. If I’m playing a show and I’m worried about my shirt opening and exposing me or something… it’s just comfort. I want to look good too, but I want to have fun with my guitar and the audience. So I just put on something I like at the time. It’s kind of a tough question. I don’t know how to answer that one. I don’t know… I wear what I want to wear.
MB: And is this what you want to do with your life? You want to be a pop star? Are you playing two fields, being the avant garde graphic designer and the pop star?
K: It’s music. If someone was to come up and say “Here Kim, here’s enough to pay your mortgage every month and you can go off and write music”, I wouldn’t hesitate because I could always bring my lap top with me and make Flash games. I think that’s the beauty of new technology especially multi-media. Multi media is music, it’s art, it’s technology. I actually feel really well balanced with computers. I think art and technology compliment each other.
MB: So you don’t fear it?
K: I feel it’s a package. I think that’s why it lets me be creative… “I have my office job where I have to sit and crank out numbers and to relax I play my music” I don’t feel that way. My job is very cool too… I like it. I feel like I just morph around and shift about. Actually I’m having a great time.