Interview: Justin Kline
Power-Pop singer/songwriter Justin Kline’s new album Cabin Fever Songs, his first proper full-length album, is a beautiful and honest look into his internal life. Stripping back his saccharine arrangements and joyous melodies, the Tennessee-based artist focuses his songwriting into mostly acoustic songs that are more poetic and introspective than anything we’ve seen in his career thus far. It is also perhaps the strongest material we’ve seen from the young songwriter, whose melody craft has always been extremely strong and his lyrics have never been more on point than this set. I got the chance to ask Justin a few questions about the new record, his process, and shoot him some lightening-round questions!
DSIMH: First off I want to thank you for sitting down to answer some questions. You’ve said before that you were born in Japan. When did you move to the states and how has that background influenced your music or your life?
JK: Yea, no problem. My father was stationed there in the marines, so my family lived in Okinawa for a few years before I was born. Once I was born, I only lived there a few months before we moved back to the states. I was too young for it to have a social impact, but I’ve always felt connected with the Japanese culture and their art. Japan is pretty big into powerpop music too, so it just seemed right to try and tap into that music market.
DSIMH: You’ve also said that old Beach Boys tapes were a big part of your childhood. What other music has really influenced you or inspired you to get into music?
JK: Hearing the Beach Boys at a young age really set the standard for the artist I am today. I was absorbing so much of their sound without even knowing it. But the first band that really made me stop and start thinking about music was Nirvana. They were so raw and real. So, I grew my hair out to my shoulders, bleached my hair, and got a Fender Strat. Their influence is still pretty heavy on my songwriting. Other than Nirvana, I’d say Beatles, and most of their solo stuff… especially Lennon and McCartney, that’s probably an obvious one… Radiohead, Nickel Creek, Jellyfish, Superdrag, and Harry Nilsson.
DSIMH: Not a bad bunch to pull from! Your two EPs Triangle and Six Songs were both praised for being so saccharine and sunshiny, with PowerPopaholic saying it was “so full of sugar, I got cavities just listening to it”, but your new album Cabin Fever songs is very different. What led you to writing these darker, sadder songs this time around?
JK: Yea, the new album is closer to how I used to write in my teenage years. I guess I started getting tired of performing such miserable songs in front of people at times, so I dug into my earlier music influences like Beach Boys and to go for a different sound. I’m a sucker for a good hook, and put tons of focus in that area. But with Cabin Fever Songs, I went through a crazy mess with myself trying to figure out who I really was and what I really wanted for myself. I kept writing the bright powerpop songs, but it felt so dull and dishonest. To me, the worst thing for me to do as a writer would be to put out some uninspired crappy music and say “Here’s my new album dude!”… so I had to just be real with myself and embrace the songs I had started to write that actually documented my struggles with depression. I’m pretty sure I’m going lose a handful of fans with this latest release, but I’m hoping I’ll gain some new ones!
DSIMH: Well you certainly haven’t alienated this one! I’ve told you before that I have particular interest in Alison, who appeared as the subject of a song on your EP ‘Triangle ‘and then again on Cabin Fever Songs. Do you often pull your songs from real life experiences? Where do your songs start for you?
JK: Some of them are based on reality, some are pure nonsense. There’s a song called “Resurrect With Me” that references actual events. All of that really happened. There’s a lot of that through out the whole record. In “Yellow Telephone”, I even talk about an old guitar that I still regret getting rid of… man, I loved that Telecaster. But as far as Alison is concerned, she’s a little different. Alison is a girl who visits me in my dreams occasionally. She would come wrapped in a yellow blanket, bringing me a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine, and asks me to write for her. I’d sit at her desk and write on her old messy paper while she’d hover over my shoulders watching. Then I’d wake up and write songs about what happened or whatever I could remember. It started to feel so strange and at times, I felt like we couldn’t be friends anymore, since she only lived in my dreams, but then at the same time, I felt like I had fallen in love with our dream relationship. I know… weirdness.
DSIMH: Ok, Lightening round time:
What’s your favorite Justin Bieber song?
I’d have to go with “Baby” since it has such a strong hook. Like I said, I’m a sucker for something catchy. I also like the one that says “You’ll be one less lonely girl” because it’s easy to change to “one less lonely squirrel”. I was in the mall not too long ago and saw a shirt that said “You’ll be one less lonely squirrel”… it was very strange since I came up with that myself. I should be selling these ideas!
[Editor’s note: that song is called “One Less Lonely Girl”]
What was the first song you ever wrote?
If I remember correctly, it was a song called “All Along”, and had a weird Nirvana B-side feel to it. Kinda slow, drony, and depressing.
Was it any good?
No. It was not.
What was the last concert you saw?
I just saw Sixpence None the Richer in Nashville a few nights ago. Everyone remembers them as the band that did “Kiss Me”, but they’re so much more than that. They’ve also had a pretty big impact on my writing… love that band.
If you could replace a famous actor in a movie with yourself, what movie and actor would it be?
Hmm, I dunno about a movie, but what I immediately think about is the show LOST. I know that’s been off the air for a while, but in a weird and twisted way, I always secretly wished I could be stranded on an island that forced strangers to love each other. Something as traumatic and crazy as that situation would surely rock the foundation your life is on… and I feel like I need something like that right now. It’s a lot easier to embrace life and happiness when you’re on the verge of losing it.
What’s your favorite fruit?
Oranges! But when I’m about to sing, it would be pineapple. I love fruit… and veggies. Not a big meat eater myself.
Backstreet Boys or N*Sync?
I remember both groups… but I think I remember more Backstreet Boys… but I’d like to use New Kids on the Block as my answer. Am I breaking the rules?
[Yes, you are breaking the rules]
DSIMH: Great job with the lightening round! Now that this record is out in the world, what are your plans? Are we going to see a tour soon?
JK: I would love to tour, but it’s really difficult for me right now. It might work if i jumped on someones tour as an opener, but for now i’ll probably just get back into the groove of playing locally.
DSIMH: Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us, and hopefully you will be able to jump on a tour and we’ll be able to catch up with you on the road!
JK: Totally. Thank you for the questions!
