9th IMA Artist Spotlight: Kes The Band
ARTIST NAME: Kes the band
HOMETOWN/CURRENTLY BASED: Trinidad & Tobago
WEB SITE:
Main site is under construction but currently using:
www.myspace.com/kestheband
www.sonicbids.com/kestheband
facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kes-the-Band/7493494652
www.twitter.com/kestheband
INFLUENCES:
Being from the Caribbean, we have so many influences. They include many of our great Calypsonians based in Trinidad & Tobago such as David Rudder, Lord Kitchener and Sparrow – they essentially paved the way for musicians here. And then there are people like Stevie Wonder, Brian McKnight, Marvin Gaye, Dave Matthews Band, Van Halen, Bob Marley and also Quincy Jones – who we looked up to.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
We have been together as a unit since 2005. Since then we have been able to accomplish a few things:
1) Been able to perform all over- in the Caribbean, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Canada, UK!
2) Having a song placed on EA’s best selling Game FIFA, as well as reality shows for MTV and BET
3) Being 1 of 6 out of 800 bands selected to perform at the ASCAP conference in Los Angeles earlier this year.
4) Releasing our third album, ON in 5, this year
5) Having more than 10 different songs on Caribbean Charts
6) Lead singer Kees writing a track with Desmond Child for American Idol’s Ace Young’s debut album
7) Opportunity to sing with Patti La Belle at the Tobago Jazz Festival
Opened for international superstars such as John Legend, Sean Paul, Sugar Ray, Usher and Rihanna
and
9) most recently, having “STALKER (more of me)” consistently on Y100’s Unsigned Bands top 10 Charts
http://www.y100.com/new2/artists/i/247626?psid=
WE SUBMITTED TO THE INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS BECAUSE: We know our music can cross over on to mainstream radio in the US and we wanted to have new people hearing it and seeing our videos and the potential we have.
9TH ANNUAL IMA JUDGE WE’RE MOST EXCITED ABOUT: Possibly Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone) but there are so many great people – journalist, singers and writers who are involved with this, and we are very excited to have the opportunity for them to hear us.
WE’RE PROUD TO BE INDEPENDENT ARTISTS BECAUSE: We are proud to be independent because we can create our own music the way we want it, call our own shots, tour where we want to and have the freedom to look into all sorts of opportunities.
WHATS NEXT: Immediate future – we are performing in Miami in October and for the rest of the year we have shows throughout Trinidad. We are also currently writing and recording again.
SUCCESS = Being able to do what we love – playing music for a living!
WHAT MAKES OUR BAND STAND OUT: We think there are a few things that makes the band stand out. 1) The music we create is unique to us – we have our Caribbean flavours mixed up with Reggae, Rock and Pop. 2) The core of the band are brothers, the lead singer, the drummer and the guitarist! 3) We have performed in over 500 shows and our high energy performance and our set selection makes us stand out from the others.
WHERE WE TOUR We currently perform all around the Caribbean, Canada and parts of the US including Miami, New York and Los Angeles.
OUR FAVORITE VENUE TO PLAY: We have played in many venues, indoor and outdoor, for as small as 100 people and for as many as 15,000 people. It would be hard to pick a venue as our favourite. We love the feel of the huge venues with thousands of people and then we love the intimate clubs where its an up-close-and-personal vibe with your fans.
OUR CURRENT TOP TEN PLAYLIST:
“Crash Into Me” – Dave Mathews Band
“Dont Cry” – Seal
“Bohemian Rhapsody” -Queen
“Lets Get It On” – Marvin Gaye
“Superstitious” -Stevie Wonder
“Goodbye My Lover”- James Blunt
“Fields of Gold” – Sting
“Whenever, Wherever, Whatever” -Maxwell
“When Doves Cry” – Prince
“Everyday People” – Sly and the Family Stone
These guys, as songwriters, musicians and entertainers, are amongst some of the best I’ve seen in awhile.
Kes the band is one of the most energetic, creative, dynamic bands you will ever find! They’ve got it and I am proud to know that they are from Trinidad and Tobago….We here in the Caribbean love this band so much and we can’t wait to see it reach on the world’s stage: KES THE BAND TO THE WORLD! bless…
I have been following this band since its inception, I know the struggles they faced and the desire they possess deep down – to play music… the desire to perform. From every scintillating performance one can see that making music and performing, for them, is like a fire burning deep inside waiting to burst forth onto the stage… Their goal is to spread our Caribbean culture in music worldwide… They are proud of where they came from and they want the world to know.
I love this band. They are extremely talented. I’ve been following their work for several years-before they actually became KES the band. Their talent, drive and versatility make them extremely unique. If I had my own record label, this band would be signed! All the best to this ‘band of brothers’. The Caribbean and indeed the world, need more positive energetic musicians like this lot!
I love this band…they have so many influences that their capabilities are endless… no matter what genre of music … they excel in their performances true their pure passion for the art and their individual personalities.
Kes the Band, aside from being one of my favourite bands ever! has been such a positive influence through their lives, and their music. They bring such unique talent, and I have never been to a performance where I dont feel that they have touched members of their audience, as they are amazing entertainers. They have also worked diligently in a field that is both difficult and ever evolving at such a fast pace, to bring quality music, and I believe they will represent the IMA well.
As a fan, thank you for considering their music, and taking this band to International Recognition!
Luv the band and their music.
Love the stalker video allyuh goin FAR! All the best of success to the whole Trinbago contingent. Love yuh!
This band is the best and should definately win an award……
wow u guys are great went to one of your digicel concerts in woodford it was so high energy an i loved how u appealed to all the people of differing races an heritages an that you guys also included the pan an the other performers u guys rock
stalker was ultimate
my personal fave so far is ” come”
Big up to Kes the Band! keep doing your thing!
One Love
The international DJ Spice nyc
I’ve seen Kes taking a rocket path for the last few years. Always progressing and evolving into something greater! These guys are definitely gonna make it BIG!
Go KES THE BAND, I think they are really gifted and talented to the max.
kes d band are d bes bands ever there newest song stalker is a 1 of d kind smash hit i love it to kno da u hav sum one representin trini its d best especially wen its all about positive vybes ive never heard ne negativity comin out of dis band and i would b so proud to say da trinidad havd bes set of artists ever.keep it up kes d band.much love. ur number 1 fan
Kes the band is a great band with an explosive sound. Their music is energetic and eclectic. The lead singer is gifted whereby he can keep the crowd going and then able to slow things down without slowing things down. Great band and great personalities. Definitely one that will thrust through..
Kes The Band are amazing songwriters and entertainers who can bring down any arena they are in.
Great group of guys, down to earth inspite of amazing talent. A live performance and sound that outshines what a record will ever relay. A band to look out for if you don’t know them, a band to keep following if you’re already a fan. YUH BIG YUH KNOW!
By far one of the best bands out of the Caribbean. Keep up the great work!!
One of the hardest working bands in and around the Caribbean. Keep up the great work!
Was listening to you on Jango the other day. Real Talent! Its a mixture of styles reminding me of the depth in old school but a new flavor that brings it serious for today.
Thanks for supporting the West Indian Community and keeping it live!