7 minute read

Kawala

HIDDEN GEMS The Gourmet Boys

Interviewed by: Gary Campion

Hi Guys, firstly thanks for taking the time out from your tour and rehearsals to talk to us. To start tell our readers about yourselves, how you all met and what it is you do/bring to the band.

Thanks for taking the time to interview us! We’re all old friends growing up in North London & I (Daniel) play guitar & sing all the harmonies. Self-confessed back front man if you will.

On first listen to your tracks on Spotify one key thing jumped out at us from the get go.... Those harmonies! They are off the charts in their blend and tightness through every track. How hard is it to keep them as tight when performing live and have there been any funny vocal mishaps when on performing live? How do you recover from the mishaps?

Well firstly thank you for saying that! The funny thing about the harmony side of what we do, is that I never considered myself a singer. Front man Jim was the one right at the start who really pushed me to sing more. I think the key to our vocal blend is that I kind of learnt to sing from listening to Jim, so that my voice could blend with his rather than exist on its own. Never any massive mishaps but it’s always quite funny when one of us forgets to sing & leaves the other one panicking.

When researching you guys it’s very clear you have been honing your craft and sound, building your fan and supporter base by a community based word of mouth. If you had to go back to your music college in Leeds and explain to a room full of students how you’ve got to where you are now how would you do it?

Well awkwardly we dropped out of Leeds after our first year so I’m not sure we’d be the best role models! But honestly our best advice would be to face the industry head on. We had no connections, but just got out there, gigged relentlessly, met as many people as we could & worked tirelessly. A big part is just massively believing in what you make. If you love it, there’ll be people out there that’ll hopefully love it too.

Better with You was recorded in phases due to the dreaded C word that took over the world for a few years, but you didn’t let the stop you. Tell our readers about the creative and producer opportunities that you got due to recording the album this way.

Ah yes the strangest of times. We had a full album & a years worth of touring ready to go before the world came to a standstill. That period really gave us a chance to reflect on exactly what we wanted to be & how we wanted to sound. So we went away & wrote a whole new record (bar a few songs that survived the cut). We were so lucky to work with such a range of top producers, & in a way that kind of became the message behind the album. We wanted to celebrate all the people that made this possible.

Ticket to Ride is a favourite of ours in the office here, tell us how it came to be part of the FIFA 21 Soundtrack.

Glad you like it! It’s easily one of our faves to play live. Well, as you know it was a funny time; lockdown hit & we lost so much momentum. We were naturally feeling sorry for our selves (as most people were) & were desperate for a win. All of a sudden, FIFA got in contact asking to use our song! It was an absolute childhood dream & one we’ll never forget.

Your videos are always creative. How much creative input do you have into them and what’s the process from a start to finished project?

We’ve always loved using our music videos as a way to showcase the slightly weirder side of our personalities & humour. Whether that be us playing dodgeball against a team of drag artists, or flying to space to save a monster from an evil witch. Often the ideas will initially come from us & then some poor videographer has the painstaking task of trying to flesh it in to a proper video. We always to have fun though!

You are about to embark on a UK, Ireland tour with some additional European dates. What can people expect from the show? Do you follow the same set list every night? What’s the dressing room rider like for KAWALA? Any pre shoe rituals?

Our fave thing ever is to be on the road & we can’t wait for this run! I guess you can expect a healthy mix of Kawala classics & a few new ones thrown in for good measure. Expect a lot of fun, unique dance moves & some underwhelming stage chat. Something for everyone!

Funnily enough, with regard to pre show rituals, we actually haven’t had one for a while. But we’ve just come back from an EU tour where we saw other bands doing amazing ones & now we’re desperate to add one if anyone has any suggestions!

This or that

* Studio or live performance? Live performance every time! That feeling will never be matched. * Sweet or salted popcorn? Has to be mixed. Is that cheating?

* Acoustic or electric? Now this is tough. I’ve always played acoustic but the new music is all on electric. I might have to stick to my roots & say acoustic.

* Cats or dogs? Definitely dogs!

* Pop or rock? There’s great & awful in both. I’ll have to say pop.

* Boxers or briefs? Boxers. Comfort is everything.

* Tour bus or plane? We’ve actually never been on a tour bus, but I’m also a big fan of being on the ground so I’ll have to say tour bus.

* Football or rugby? Football!

* Curry or gravy? Now that’s maybe the toughest. Big fan of both. I’d say curry but only as us Londoners don’t know how to make gravy properly.

* And most importantly Kylie Minogue or Kylie Jenner? Oh Kylie every time.

WHY ARE YOU SO SENSITIVE?

Paul McAllister

Have you ever tried to communicate your concerns about someone’s behaviour towards you, only to be dismissed, mocked, or told you’re exaggerating or ‘too sensitive’? Maybe you were told you couldn’t handle a joke, and they blamed you for always misinterpreting and getting upset. Such experiences might leave you feeling foolish, perplexed, emotional, immature, or embarrassed.

In the colourful tapestry of human experience, sensitivity emerges as a trait that varies widely among individuals. While it’s a quality often celebrated for its capacity to enrich relationships and deepen emotional connections, it can also be a double-edged sword, exposing individuals to heightened vulnerability and empathetic strain. In the realm of queer identity, sensitivity takes on a multifaceted significance, reflecting not only personal characteristics but also the complex interplay of social, cultural, and historical factors. So, why might queer people be more sensitive than their non-queer counterparts? Let’s explore.

Queer individuals often navigate a complex landscape where their sexual orientation or gender identity intersects with other aspects of their identity, such as race, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status. These intersecting identities can expose them to multiple forms of discrimination and marginalisation, intensifying their sensitivity to social cues and environments. For example, a queer person of colour may experience compounded prejudice.

The queer community has a rich and tumultuous history marked by struggles for acceptance, equality, and basic human rights. From the Stonewall riots to the AIDS crisis, queer individuals have faced profound challenges and traumas that reverberate through generations. This collective memory of persecution and resilience can foster a deep sense of sensitivity, as queer individuals remain acutely attuned to signs of prejudice and discrimination, even in progressive societies.

In response to societal pressures and stigma, queer individuals often develop sophisticated coping mechanisms and emotional resilience. These coping strategies may include heightened empathy, emotional intelligence, and a keen awareness of social dynamics. While these qualities can be sources of strength, they can also render queer individuals more susceptible to emotional distress and empathetic overload, contributing to their heightened sensitivity.

For many queer individuals, the journey towards self-acceptance and authenticity is fraught with internal and external challenges. The process of coming out, embracing one’s true identity, and navigating societal expectations can be emotionally taxing, requiring a profound level of introspection and vulnerability. As a result, queer individuals may cultivate a heightened sensitivity to their own emotions and those of others, valuing authenticity and emotional honesty as essential components of their identity.

Research suggests that queer individuals experience disproportionately high rates of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and suicidality, often stemming from experiences of stigma, rejection, and internalised homophobia or transphobia. These mental health disparities underscore the need for sensitive and affirming support systems within queer communities and society at large, highlighting the profound impact of identity on emotional well-being.

Empathy is what makes people feel safe in relationships. Along with self-awareness, it’s the soul of emotional intelligence, guiding people toward prosocial behaviour and fairness in dealings with others. In contrast, non-empathic people overlook your feelings and don’t seem to imagine your experience or be sensitive to it. It’s important to be aware of this, because a person who isn’t responsive to your feelings won’t be emotionally safe when there is any kind of disagreement.

Emotionally mature people see you positively and keep a mental library of your best qualities, referencing your strengths. They are capable of taking a look at themselves and reflecting on their behaviour. You’ll also discover that when you feel distressed emotionally mature people don’t pull back. They aren’t afraid of your emotions and don’t tell you that you should be feeling some other way, embracing your feelings and wanting to learn about the things you want to tell them.

For queer individuals, sensitivity takes on a distinctive significance, reflecting the intersectionality of identity, historical trauma, coping mechanisms, and the quest for authenticity. While heightened sensitivity can be both a source of strength and vulnerability, fostering deeper connections and empathetic understanding, it also underscores the importance of fostering inclusive and affirming environments where all individuals can thrive authentically. In celebrating the richness of queer identity, we embark on a collective journey towards greater empathy, acceptance, and love for all.

Indeed, our culture is maturing, and our moral compass is evolving. We’re becoming more adept at recognizing harm and no longer overlook things that we might have excused in the past.

What one may perceive as sensitivity, another may view as a refusal to tolerate abuse.

Paul McAllister- Aho Wellness IG: aho_wellness Facebook: aho.wellness.belfast Email: wellness.aho@gmail.com