#the leaving process

Living Weapon // The Leaving Process

With his latest song Co-Pilot, Peter Kasen was discovery of the day on this blog about a week ago. He kindly agreed to answer a few questions about his new album and more.

First of all, thanks for your submission through which I got to know your music – finally, as you’ve been in the business for a long time. Can you fill us in on the most important milestones?

I don't have one particular milestone being the greatest. I have been very lucky and fortunate to have several milestones along the way during my music career. I think becoming self sufficient in regards to booking tours, releasing albums as a label in essence, a diy spirit and understanding of how it all works including gaining positive press every album, and just growing as a songwriter of course, are my milestones at this point. Sustainability is the key.

Co-Pilot is the first song of your upcoming album The Leaving Process. Seems quite obvious what it will be about?

It is about many things and I hope people can take from it what they wish, as it will mean something to everyone. For me it is about music, and its place in my life.

Where do you see the difference to your previous records?

Other than my full length album in 2008 in the UK, the rest of my albums or ep's have been aggressive in terms of musicality on the guitar. I think this new song in particular being Co-Pilot, has some newly adapted pop sensibilities in terms of not making it too complicated from a listener’s stand point.  Co-Pilot is the most straight ahead song form wise that I have ever written on the guitar actually. Most of my songs have four different parts minimally, not just verse chorus. 

The Leaving Process will not be released at one go...

I decided to release The Leaving Process, which will be a total of eight songs, in segments.

This is the first time I have ever done this, so I am learning a bit as I go as well.

Now it has become such in the music world where one year seems like an eternity. So I decided why not release new music every three months in two song segments, such as on 7" vinyl and or a CD Single, with a b side. This way there is new music every three months and no songs get overlooked as they often do on a full length coming out as one entity. People's attention spans with music and listening habits have radically changed. The album seems to be not as important now as a series of single releases all the time to keep people’s memory fresh and current of your music. This is why I chose to do this, it also allows me to stagger them a bit and financially it is easier since I pay for all recordings myself right now.

You have tours scheduled for the UK and the US in support of your new album – what about the rest of the world, esp. mainland Europe?

I will be touring mainland Europe in January 2016, in the new year. I had to push back Europe dates due to my passport being stolen in my messenger bag along with the entire bag itself and all its contents. As for other parts of the world on this album, the only other major area I would consider and may do is Canada. Something I have always wanted to do but probably doubtful. My focus with touring right now, is to saturate a regional market back home in the USA along the northern west coast, and south west. Sort of bunny hop between Portland and Arizona, with a bunch of shows in northern California also. Europe/UK I will do once a year, for now. 

As an independant musician with years of experience, what is the best advice you can give to up and coming artists?

My advice to up and coming artists is simple. Work ethic means everything. There is so much music coming out that people are overwhelmed with what to listen to and whom to listen to. The best way to gain a following is of course to tour and put in the time. It is not glamorous at all and I value my days of sweating with an empty tank into the next state on my first tours. It toughened me up on how it really is to be an Indie musician and do a lot of things yourself. Act as a label is also my advice. Run your business as if it is a label. You can book shows, you can release your own music, you can get it distributed, you can gain press. It is a full time job however to be active and do all this things all while you are writing new music and holding down a day job. Being a Singer/Songwriter makes it even more cumbersome as you do not have others in a band to help you get stuff done. It is all you. Lastly, it all comes down to the music. Write great songs, promote them respectfully as best as you can, and let the music do the talking.

What do you do when you take a break from music?

I do not really take a break from music. I did for two years in my career already, and regret every day of that time period. Its all systems go for me currently, so yes music is everyday and there is never any breaks from it.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?

Stay tuned for its release details, and I will be on tour to promote the album in both the US/UK/EU in 2015. I will be back in the studio again in September recording two or three new songs for the second installment of The Leaving Process full length album.

Thank you Peter, and all the best for the upcoming releases & tour!