A Conversation with Kyle Hollingsworth of SCI  (continued)

PM: But it does seem that positive, at least to me.

KH: I would say that everybody in the band is really, I think, on a good path, in a way that we are not being tempted by a lot of the trappings of being in our position right now. There's no real serious drug use in the band, for instance. We're all super focused on trying to be good musicians outside of the band, plus bringing in creative input, and being better bandmates, as far as interaction in the band, and bringing different types of songs in. I mean, we all want to become better as a unit. So we'll practice -- you know, sometimes we'll practice jamming or we'll practice interaction, different things, as far as who will lead the solo, or lead a section, and kind of learning how to back them up. We just really take music very seriously.

PM: Beautiful.

KH: And so maybe in that sense we're just maybe construed as "wholesome" [laughs], but really it's just focused.

PM: Yeah. And growth oriented.

KH: Right.

PM: Spiritually too? Is spirituality a strong force in the band or in any of the members?

KH: Not in the Judeo-Christian sense, as more --

PM: Or, say, Eastern things or --

KH: I'd say potentially more Eastern, and more reflection oriented, and looking inside yourself sort of thing. I guess it would be Eastern.

PM: Some meditators in the band?

KH: And meditative, yeah, for sure. I'd say that no one's really directly involved in any particular religion. I think it's all kind of something we're all in tune with in some sense. We're not at odds with each other, as far as that's concerned.

PM: Well, it seems like a highly communicative band. I mean, that's the real secret of great bands. First, in REM, I've heard that one of the ways they go about their democracy is what they call the "Rule of No." That is, if anybody's final answer is no, then the group's answer is no.

KH: Ahh.

PM: Does anything like that exist in SCI?

KH: No. I'm not sure that would really work with us. [laughs] It's majority rules sometimes in this situation.

PM: Right. And there are a lot of three-two votes.

KH: Yes.

PM: Is touring what's fun about your life, or a necessary evil?

KH: Different people in the band have different reactions. My reaction is that I love to tour, it's really fun. I think that's where the band is at its height. I think sometimes when we get in the studio, it's not necessarily our best performance. But when we're out there playing live, especially mid-tour, it gets a lot better. And I think for some people who have families, it's a little more difficult. But I think all of us enjoy it.

PM: Although you've been known as a live outfit and a great jamming outfit, certainly Outside Inside took steps toward establishing you as adept songwriters.

KH: Well, that's good. I'm glad you interpret it that way.

PM: Yeah. I mean, it certainly sounds like that to me. I caught the recent Ryman show, because I live in Nashville. And the combination of that, and Outside Inside, made me a definite fan.

KH: The Ryman, that was one of my favorite shows, actually. The Ryman, and then the next couple nights were really good. That was mid-tour, so we were definitely getting it on.

PM: You were, yeah. The lights were fantastic, the band was really smokin. It was super. continued

print (PDF)      listen to clips      archives      puremusic home