We sat down with Kris Russ to talk about his recent (2021) EP ‘Hunting Season'. “My name‘s Kris and I come from New Orleans, Louisiana. I for sure was brought about by my mom but I started this journey after me and a band I was in broke up. I do very aggressive acoustic rock music and I really am just doing my own thing. I feel like a lot of people out there could really feel something from the art that I put out there and if you don’t relate to it then that’s cool. If you do though that’s super cool of you.
Tell us about your track “I Try” off your EP ‘Hunting Season'. What's the process behind it, how did it come together and why did you write this EP?
Well, “I try” came to me after me and my band actually broke up. I felt like this track really really sat differently in my heart because it’s basically an apology to myself and those around me for some of my not so honest actions. It’s a fight between who I want to be and the person I was at the time. So it’s from a desperate spot for people to see that I’m not what people perceive but I’m also not okay with who I am.
Describe your favorite venue for performing.
My favorite venue is actually small intimate spaces where I can actually be more one on one with the crowds. Stadiums and huge shows are great but if I can find the back story from someone and have a full conversation with people just chillin' there with me I’m so into it.
What if you would have to fuse your music into a different genre; what would be the most hilarious one
I feel like the funniest one would be jazz, because idk actually what I’m doing. I just do it and I would love to see that all improved with a whole thing like that.
What would you do if you made a mistake during a performance?
Very rarely have I ever not made a mistake during a live performance, to be honest. When it happens or when something happens, that just disrupts the mood. I just kinda wing it and figure out how to recover.
Do what you do and let others do what they do. No judgment, no challenges, just fun and music.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
This question stuck out because I could give a typical answer, like myself or so, which is a big factor but to be honest. Emotionally unavailable people are my biggest competition. I’ve noticed they don’t like to face what they’re feeling and I feel like my music really brings something out in you that makes you want to be courageous towards something bad that happened to you and just have an escape to release it and move on. Yet, I feel like a lot of people don’t like to move on. They like to grope and it’s sad to watch it happen.
What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
Do what you do and let others do what they do. No judgment, no challenges, just fun and music.
If you would have to compare your music to an animal, which one would it be?
Interesting…. I’d say a big cuddly bear, because it’s big and warm and soft but could easily put you into a mood.
Do you create for yourself or for your fans?
For sure for myself, but my fans love it and highly relate to any of the things I sing about which I find to be so freaking awesome.
What is your routine for creating a song? What is the weirdest moment/place/way a song started to form? And the most boring one?
My routine is kinda wild cuz I’ll just sit there with my guitar for hours until something just falls out of me like it’s been waiting to be a part of the masses or something. I would say my bed was a really weird spot to write a song or at least the situation of it coming about. The most boring one was hilarious though cuz I was just tapping my fingers in the car one time and had to get it down the moment I got home.
What is it you would like people to do while listening to your song?
Just feel it, scream it, yell it, love it, cry to it, do whatever you want to get rid of whatever bad you’re feeling. Heal with it.
What is one message that you would like to give to your fans?
Be yourself and love yourself. There are plenty of people but there’s only one of your perspective. Love you all.
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Interesting interview!