The first album he bought was “Thriller” and the first gig he crushed was the one by “Crosby, Stills & Nash”. He is one of the artists who let themselves on the stage, and at the same time he recognizes that he tends to write love songs, obeying often in his gut feeling when it comes to music. It’s about Kelly Finnigan, the voice of Monophonics, who desires to keep the listener on cloud nine, with every song his new album “The Tales People Tell”. He admits that psychedelic soul is the type of music, which offers the artist the unique freedom, to reach his personal limit and crate something magical. He doesn’t chase perfection in his music, because for him, that isn’t so important. According to Kelly Finnigan, music is art, and art aims only in expressing ourselves.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – In previous interviews, you have confessed that while writing the latest songs for your album, you wanted to make sure that each of one of the songs would be “unique”. Which is the element that makes a song stand out?
Kelly Finnigan – Each song does offer something unique, but it lies in the vibe and delivery of that song. The production, the songwriting, the performance by the musicians all need to feel connected in order to offer that unique value. It can be as something as simple as a quick musical part or as important as the lyrics in the song. What I meant when I said that was I wanted each song on the record to feel just as important as the last song that you just heard. I wanted each song to feel special and to keep the listener on cloud nine for all 10 songs.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – You started working on your music at the age of 20, although your father was already successful. How come you didn’t get into the music industry earlier in your life?
Kelly Finnigan – I became very focused and driven around the age of 20 but I had been working on music before that. I got very interested around 13 or 14 but that was more about DJing parties, digging in shops for rare records and making beats. I got more into the live side of music later around 20. There is really no need to get into the music business too young. You’ll have plenty of time to grow in the industry starting after college or high
school.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – Which is the song’s Impression of You “special vibe” that makes you
enjoy it most on stage, comparing to other songs?
Kelly Finnigan – It has a very sweet feeling too it. It’s a true love song in every sense. When the band plays it, it feels warm and fuzzy. It’s a lovely moment in the set.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – In what extent are the concerts different now that you don’t have the other members of “Monophonics” by your side?
Kelly Finnigan – Well it’s automatically a different energy cause you have different people and performers all interacting with each other musically. The material and musicians set the tone. The focus of this show is very much on the songs and getting the audience to fall in love with them. We want to make sure and deliver the goods and be as sharp as possible.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – Can you describe your father’s reaction when you asked him not only to participate in your song Don’t Let Him Down but also write the blurb for your album?
Kelly Finnigan – He was very pleased and excited! He’s been very supportive of me and my career from the beginning. We had a lot of fun that day and did some fantastic work. In terms of the blurb on the back, he has always been an excellent writer and I knew he would find the right words to make that part of the artwork
shine. I’m so happy he is a part of the record.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – Which is the characteristic of “psychedelic soul” or “black rock” that allows the artist to be himself, in comparison to other music styles?
Kelly Finnigan – That is a good question. Psychedelic Soul to me allows for freedoms that some other genres might not allow. It needs to have push boundaries and take risks. That is what ultimately pushes the music and artist forward. Hopefully through that process some magic is made.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – What came to your mind first while creating The Tales People Tell; music or lyrics?
Kelly Finnigan – With a few songs they came at the same time but most times the music came first which was a road map to how I wanted to approach the melodies and lyrics.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – To Monphonics, you are not only the singer, but also the keyboard player and the producer. If you had to choose one of these roles, which one would you say that you enjoy the most?
Kelly Finnigan – That is really hard to say but I think I would have to say producer. It’s been my biggest passion from very early on and I love making records.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – Along with the song Bang Bang that had a great impact on the Greek audience, you have admitted that you would like it to be the sound of Monophonics. But, in which song do you believe that your voice is imprinted best? What differentiates Kelly Finnigan’s voice from Monophonics’ voice?
Kelly Finnigan – Imprinted best? I’d say all of them. From top to bottom. My voice is different because it’s singular, it’s my vision and my creation. Monophonics is a band, a collaborative effort, a group of voices coming
together as one.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – You have admitted that you get really nervous in the presence of other musicians you admire in your concerts. Who is the one that gives you goose bumps when s/he is among the audience?
Kelly Finnigan – I’ve definitely been nervous in the past at concerts and there can be added pressure when some you really admire may be watching, but I can’t say there is a singular incident where someone in particular caused a feeling of nerves that disrupted a performance.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – Do you believe that nowadays music with more sophisticated lyrics is
considered to be “old-fashioned”? If yes, why is that?
Kelly Finnigan – No, I honestly don’t feel a certain way about anyone’s lyrics. Of course I have an opinion about what I like or dislike but I definitely don’t label things new or old based off how they are presented or created by the performer. It’s self expression, art, I’m not too interested in labeling those things.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – You have confessed that when you attend a concert, you “study” that concert. What is the first thing that catches your attention?
Kelly Finnigan – The energy on stage is a big one. how the band is interacting physically and musically with each other and the audience.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – Do you remember what surprised you the most, during your first concert in Greece with Monophonics? (It doesn’t necessarily needs to be related to the concert itself).
Kelly Finnigan – I would say the biggest things that stuck out was how enthusiastic the crowd was for the music and how much love they showed us.
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – If they asked you to categorize yourself in one style of music, which one would it be?
Kelly Finnigan – Soul
Eleanna Skiada (Lavart) – While I was reading some of your oldest interviews, I came across the quote: “I’m literally living out my dreams”. Since you have started working on your music, during your 20’s up till now, have these dreams changed at all somehow?
Kelly Finnigan – Of course they have changed, it’s pretty natural for most artists and humans to progress and grow over time. I try and set goals for myself every year and think about what I need to do to achieve them.
