Kevn talks to Athens Banner Herald
Recklessly drivin' solo
By JOE VANHOOSE - Athens Banner-Herald
Published Thursday, August 12, 2010
Most thoughts of Kevn Kinney are served with a shot of straight adrenaline. Kinney is pounding rock 'n' roll, cranked-up amps and crowded honky tonks.
But there is a different side to the leader of Atlanta-based Drivin' 'N' Cryin', a side that is sharp in songwriting and soft in structure.
This Saturday at The Melting Point, that Kevn Kinney will take to the stage. And he'll have some notable friends with him, too, like renowned guitarist Gibb Droll and ex-Sugar member David Barbe.
"I know it's listed as a folk show, but I'm too reckless to keep it only folk," said Kinney, who now lives in New York. "I tend to surprise myself up on stage."
Kinney's solo performances are much different than his work with Drivin' 'N' Cryin', which celebrates its silver anniversary in October. Kinney tends to lean on his lyrics a little more and undress his more popular songs a bit.
He keeps these shows more casual, tells more stories and isn't above taking requests.
"It's a chance for me as a songwriter to try some new things," he said. "It's open for interpretation."
But it is not Drivin' 'N' Cryin'. These songs are more mature, even if they're songs Kinney wrote once upon a time when he wasn't so mature.
"I wrote words when I thought I knew what they meant," he said. "Now I know what they mean, and they sound even better."