Chester Knight band makes inroads internationally

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There have been a lot of changes for Chester Knight since the release of his last CD. He's has a new band member, a new manager, a new talent agency, a new record company, and is awaiting the release of a new CD.

And, fresh off a performance at the Grammyfest in Los Angeles, Knight and his band, The Wind, are gearing up for a summer of touring in the United States and Europe.

Knight and his band, The Wind - lead guitarist Todd Duncan, drummer Robin Turner, and bass player Darryl Ross - took part in Grammyfest, a week long festival leading up to the Grammy's. The group performed during the first ever Native American Grammy nominee showcase, held Feb. 26, the night before the Grammy Awards were handed out. The showcase was put on by Canyon Records, along with Sound of America Records (SOAR), which is Knight's new record label, and Burnt Down Agency, which represents Knight and the band. The show was invitation only, held to give the acts exposure to casino owners and people in the entertainment industry.

Knight estimated about 100 artists performed at the showcase of traditional and contemporary Native performers, including other bands, as well as drum groups, dance groups and flute groups.

"We just did a wonderful show. In L.A.," Knight said. "We rehearsed quite a bit for this show, of course the rehearsing paid off, because we did just a wonderful job," Knight said.

"We were playing at the Kodak Theatre, which is where they're going to be having the Academy Awards this year. We were playing in the grand ballroom. I went to the Junos last year, and this is basically about the same thing. It was just so glamorous. And it was an invitation only showcase, so they wanted the people to be there, like the casino owners and the movie stars, to be there. And it just turned out perfect. I mean, everything turned out perfect, the sound, the lights. And of course we gave them a big finish - a big Canadian finish. And it was just great." Knight said.

"We come from Muskoday, and we're kind of like country hicks, and to be playing at the Grammy's is just a dream come true."

Knight said when they were in L.A. for the performance, he was surprised to learn how much of a following the band has there.

"This fashion designer, she says, 'You're big down in L.A.,' because they have a radio station down there, and they play our stuff a lot down there. She said, 'You don't know how big you are,'" Knight explained. "Of course, I really didn't know, because you never really know these things, unless you actually come some place and then you hear it. Because it's kind of like being in the vortex of a tornado, and you don't really know what kind of effect you're having one somebody a thousand miles away," he said.

A number of people attending the show had come specifically to see Knight and his band perform, Knight was told.

"I guess, I can only figure its because we're Canadians and to them we're kind of exotic. And Canada is really, you know, it's a cool thing to be these days, with the Olympics and what happened there. So it kind of upped our visibility and our coolness down in the States. So we just came at a good time, a really good time for Canadians."

Knight and the band have been working on a new CD, which will be released this spring. With a new record company behind the project, the new album offered Knight something he didn't have when he was recording his last CD - a bigger budget.

"I'm really excited about that. I haven't heard it myself. I did do the vocals, and of course it got mixed down. But the record label, Sound of America, has heard it, and they said it's way better than Falling Down. And I can see it being, because Falling Down and Freedom . . . those were financed by myself. And because of that the budget was limited. So Falling Down, some songs are really well produced, and others are a bit thin. But that's only because of budget constraints. But with this new album, we had Brandon Friesen. We did it inStudio 11 in Winnipeg, and its being mixed in Los Angeles right now. Those are new elements - an unlimited budget with a Juno-winning producer. I can see it being better - technically better - and being of course, well produced. And the music, the music is just as good as Falling Down. And I think, because of those extra elements, it will be a better album," Knight said.

In addition to the improvement in production values, the new album is a bit different in style from Falling Down, Knight explained.

"Probably its going to be a little bit more rockier than before. And there might be some blues songs on there, and a little bit heavier."

While he started out "kind of country", Knight said his move to a more rock-based sound is natural, because of the influence groups like Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones had on him when he was young.

"Although the country aspect is still there too, it can't disappear. Because my sisters used to listen to country music. And the only reason why I didn't like country music was because it used to feel so lonely. But it's there, because it's a part of me, traces of it are still in the album," he said.

"The album is actually called Spirit Journey. And there's a song about dancing, powwow, and things like that. And there's a song about the colloquialism that teenagers use today, you know - as if, are you ever cheap - there's a song sung totally using those kind of lyrics. And of course there's another song called Bingo Baby, which is about the bingo player. Every woman kind of things she's the best bingo player in the world . . . It's just going to be a great album. Of course there's some sad songs, and some love ballads.

Knight writes all of the music for his songs, and most of the lyrics. "The way it happens is I'll be playing cords, like chord progressions, and trying to get a good feel of chord progressions. And the music then comes with the chords, and the moods of the music. All the First Nations music, I don't say, 'I'm gong to write a First Nations song.' I'm just playing the guitar, and I kind of get a sense of 'this has a First Nations feel to it'. And then when the music comes, then the inspiration comes for a song. And the chorus will come there, it usually comes there. It just automatically comes, like 'this is the type of chorus that should be here.' And then the verse is more thought out. So first the chords and the feeling, then the music, and then the lyrics. And usually the lyrics, the mood of the song, you usually get the sense of what type of lyrics you should be putting into it, he said.

"The album does have songs honoring the grandmothers and grandfathers. Because I really give them credit for the music. Because I don't think I have the mental capacity to write those lyrics, those melodies. They just come. And when I'm playing guitar, all of a sudden this melody will come. And I really think it is the grandfathers and the grandmothers and the great spirit that are just using me as a tool to write melodies and to perform. So I do given them credit, some of the songs, I give them credit. Because they really play a big part in my life. I'm very appreciative of that."

Music and entertaining have always played a big part in Knight's life as well. He grew up surrounded by music. Both of his parents played music, and his older brothers started up two different bands, one in the 50's, and one in the 70's. Chester joined that second band as drummer, just as the band was winding down.

"So I played a few shows with them, like in La Loche and different places. And after that I got the bug, again for the audiences, and I just went off on my own. So I've been playing for quite a long time. And I think that kind of plays a part in my success today, is because I have been writing music for about 20, 25 years. So I've already developed a knack for writing music. And it's just something, the more you do it, the better you get at it. Like anything else. And now there is a music indusry growing in Canada and the U.S., and I just happen to be in the right place at the right time, having all those skills already well developed," he said.

Knight also gives credit for the band's growing success to the members of The Wind. "We have really good musicians . . . we've just got a great band," he said.

"We are becoming more in demand. It's just turning into something that I guess most artists dream of, and which you don't really expect, but you're really happy when it happens.

"Every year it gets better. It's just a really fast train ride that's not slowing down. It seems to be picking up speed. Especially when you're on stage. It's just wonderful. I'm just having a great time right now. Having the time of my life."