Local artist profile: Kai Stone

THIS week we chat with Two Steps Forward frontman Kai Stone, who revealed the local band has demo releases up and coming, hopefully “by the end of the year”.

What motivated you to take up being a singer and frontman in a band?

Back in high school (a) brand new theatre class had just opened up and was looking for applicants.

I was starting to transition from sporty kid to techie kid during this time so I signed up under the assumption I’d be able to do backstage work – lights, sound etc…

Next (thing) I know I’m being handed a script and over the course of the year would go on to develop my voice as the lead role in an adaptation of a Broadway play called Big Fish.

The longer I got to play this character the more I realised how much I loved the art of performance.

How would you describe your style?

I’ve been listening to Linkin Park for as long as I can remember, so when I started picking up on vocals one of the first faces I looked to was their frontman, Chester Bennington.

(I) largely ended up being self taught with help here and there from others.

Which other singers inspire you?

Coming back to Chester, he is my ABSOLUTE and total inspiration but over time I’ve also found a lot to draw from in voices such as Tyler Joseph (Twenty One Pilots), Dawid Podsiadto (and) Ed Sheeran.

Have you had any mentors over your career?

My latest mentor is Bendigo’s own Sherri Parry.

She came into one of our classes when I was at (Bendigo Senior) and I immediately found myself drawn to her approach of teaching/learning.

What are some highlights you have from your time as a singer so far?

It feels like every gig is bigger and better than the last.

The first talent show we won was definitely the moment where we pivoted into what we would consider our signature sound.

The Bendigo Show just gone this year was (also) huge.

Outside of Two Steps Forward, getting one of my first individual gigs at Handlebar felt pretty special.

How can people check out your work online?

Currently we have our Instagram and Facebook accounts (@twostepsforwardband_ and Two Steps Forward) but we’re currently getting our demos properly set for release on (other) platforms.

What are you working on right now?

We’ve got our demo releases up and coming, hopefully by the end of the year.

Even if they aren’t the final perfected versions it gives everyone a way to understand and connect to what we want to do.

We’ll have them on physical media too – cheap CDs and such.

(Then) our focus shifts onto our first album which will be across everything.

What would you say to young regional aspiring singers who are thinking of making a go of the creative life?

It’s really hard to find the words to say to someone who wants to make a living off of music – it’s a hard journey with the way the creative industry is now and you’re always going to have your work cut out for you.

You can’t just be passionate, (you need to) know how to play your songs.

You have to be an influencer on top of that (and) know how to get people to hear your songs.

If you have the heart and the work ethic you’ll be alright, but you have to really want it.