“Hailing from the Land Down Under, Australia, Bobby Kidd possesses a talent for creating powerful pop-rock melodies that are instantly memorable and enjoyable. Bobby was drawn to the piano at age 12 and after years of piano lessons, he was ready to take on his first rock band in high school. This experience aroused his curiosity about the whole process of music production. That is when Bobby began producing his own unique style of music.

In order to learn as much about music as he could, Bobby Kidd started working at a local music studio in Wollongong, a town just south of Sydney. It was this environment that inspired him to sing, write songs and learn more instruments including the guitar and drums.

In 2006, Bobby decided to pack up all of his belongings and trek south to Melbourne. Whilst Sydney had been a great proving ground, Melbourne offered a far more diverse live music scene. Bobby Kidd  actively performed solo acoustic shows, wrote many more songs and has now attracted a solid loyal fan base in Melbourne, Sydney and abroad.

Now looking to expand his musical presence elsewhere in the world, Bobby Kidd is a musical powerhouse that deserves a listen”.

What is it that you love most about doing what you do?

Well, What isn't there to love lol. I love everything about being in the music business. For me, it starts with the whole process that goes into writing a tune. I’ve been fortunate enough to have met and worked with some great writers and producers. And then of course going out and playing the songs live. To me, there’s nothing that comes close to that feeling.

Your always meeting new and wonderful people (and weird ones too lol) Also for me personally, bringing joy and happiness to people’s life is a good feeling. When your doing something you love and put all your heart and soul into it, people respond to that, and that’s something so special that no one can take away from you. That’s pretty much how I feel and why I still love doing what I do.  

What’s the general songwriting process for you? How does it start and where does it end?

Good Question. Everyone will tell you something different when it comes to this kind of question, simply because everyone’s different and works differently. What works for some may not for others. For me it depends on whether I’m co-writing (an interesting way of looking at life through other writers) or simply writing on my own. When writing or co-writing, a lot of the times it starts with a melody idea in my head. Then I either pick up the guitar or sit down on the piano (more often then not it’s the guitar) and start playing around with what I’m hearing in my head. And work on getting the best melody I possibly can.

Lyrically at this stage isn’t that important. Having said that, There have been plenty of times when I get a melody in my head and a few words or a line or 2 at the same time so at this stage It’s important to write them down. (There’s a reason why certain words or lines just come out and sing well, at least when I write) I also always have a little tape recorder sitting right next to me for when the magic happens (and for all the not so magical stuff as well lol).

Every song I’ve written has had different approaches to them. Some songs are written together from scratch in the studio or in the living room, and some, I have already written the melody and arrangement for and then we get together and discuss what we want to write about. There’s never a dull moment when it comes to writing.  

What inspires or has influenced your music the most?

Well It’s no secret too those who know me well that one of my major influences at least early on in my career was Bon Jovi. I think Jon and Richie are phenomenal writers and great performers. Ever since I first saw and heard Jovi, I knew right then and there that I wanted to be like him (Rockstar lol).

There’s plenty of other bands/artists since then that have also influenced and inspired me along the way, with some examples, Kiss, Richard Marx, U2, Butch Walker, Pink, Nickelback, Daughtry, Sixx.A.M, 30stm, Keith Urban and the list goes on and on…… basically what all these great bands/artists have in common is that not only have they got great catchy songs, but they’re great performers. “They’re entertainers”. That’s what I love and respect about the likes of Jon Bon Jovi and Butch Walker. These 2 guys right here, to me are the ultimate in entertaining. So when ever I’m feeling down or need a pick me up, I simply put on a dvd from any of these bands/artists (especially Jovi or Butch) and I’m reminded (almost immediately) why not only, did I fall in love with the band/artist, but what inspired me to become an artists myself.

Anyone who has listened to your EP will be aware of your talents as a lyricist. As far as lyric writer's go, who do you admire?

Well not too sound like I’m repeating myself here, but I guess the bands and artists that I mentioned in the last question about inspiring me, really do get a mention here. The likes of Butch Walker, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora etc etc….. However, one thing I’d like to mention on this topic is that it’s not always about the lyrics.

Honestly, to me the most important thing firstly, would have to be the melody. Now don’t get me wrong, I think lyrics are essential and very important to the whole of the song, but lets be honest and realistic here. Without a good catchy melody to sing along too, does it really matter what the singer is really singing about? How many times have you switched from 1 radio station to another simply because the tune wasn’t really catchy enough to keep you locked in? I know I have. Of course you could argue that point, but for me it all starts with the melody (regardless of what genre you listen to). Now if you can master and get both the melody and lyrics right, then you have something that is truly special and maybe even a ‘HIT’ on your hands.

Is there a song in particular off your EP that makes you proud to think I wrote/recorded that?
Well the E.P has 6 tracks on it. And of course I love them all. It’s like image having 6 kids and someone asking you which is your favourite child. Your answer would and should be all of them. However music is a funny thing. And after some time, you tend to lean more towards some songs over others. Why? I don’t truly know. Some sounded better as just an acoustic version than a fully polished up production and others really came through in the end.

Having said all that, There’s 4 out of the 6 that I’m very proud off. If I had to pick 1 for the sake of the question it would be a tough one but would be a toss up between ‘Everytime You’re Near’, ‘Breaking me Down’ or ‘No Longer My Own’. Those 3 tracks are quite special and I’m very proud to have not only written them but also recorded them. I think we captured the songs beautifully and honestly and with raw emotion.

If you could travel back in time (or into the future even, say tomorrow….) and play your music to any one of your musical heroes, who would it be and why?

I’m not sure that I would be brave enough to do that actually. Ok, lets say I had the opportunity to play a song or 2 to say someone like Butch Walker (singer/songwriter/producer/LEGEND), now I would love for him to produce a song or 2 (why stop there, heck  Butch, lets do an album lol) so anyway, from a producers point of view, Butch would be listening to the song from a different angle then someone who wasn’t potentially gonna produce your work, if that makes any sense. Anyone else could just simply say yeh that’s great or not really my thing. But in Butch’s case he would be breaking it apart and hearing things here and there. So in that regards I wouldn’t be too afraid to play to him. It would be an honor.

However, on the other hand lets say I had the opportunity to play in front of Jon Bon Jovi, well that would be just shit scary. Why? Well simply because he’s the reason I started singing and playing guitar. Could you imagine if I played a song of mine in front of him, a guy I look up too and he turns around says, yeh whatever, It’s ok. I would be shattered.

I heard someone once say, that’s it probably better not to meet your idols, ‘cause they may not turn out quite like you had imagined or remember them too be.

Having said all that, it would be fantastic to meet and jam with all the guys that have inspired and influenced my musical journey this far. 

What do you think it takes to succeed in music these days?

Success? That’s an interesting question and a tricky one to truly answer. It means so much to some and something completely different to others. How do you measure success? Is it having a record deal with a Major label? A Management contract? Supporting the likes of Pink on her American tour? Or just simply getting air time on commercial Radio or even a spot of T.V on a morning program. Simply having recorded and selling an E.P on itunes is success for some.

I think to have longevity in this industry (and lets face it, that’s what all artists/bands want) it would be a bit of everything I have just mentioned above. These days bands and artists have to be out playing, constantly. Labels want to see that your out there and ‘CAN’ play live and entertain a crowd and have a following, before they even think about signing you (if you’re the lucky few that do get signed).

The other important thing to note is also style of music you play. As great as the Australian market is, It’s not for everyone and every style, so one must decide whether to stay here and possibly struggle or go abroad and have a crack at say the U.S market or European market.

Look, to answer your question is quite difficult. Simply because these days, who knows what it takes to succeed in the music biz. ‘A bit of talent and who you know’, or ‘A heap of talent and hope for some luck to come your way’…..

As someone who has been based in Sydney, moved to Melbourne and now aspires to having a crack overseas, what are thoughts on the current state of the music industry?

Well, the music industry is in a different state then it was say 10 years ago. Technology has its up’s and down’s. If you take me for instance, without the likes of myspace and itunes I wouldn’t be able to have access to the many wonderful fans I have around the world, who not only can buy and download my E.P but catch up on all the latest stuff in the world of ‘BOBBY KIDD’.

It’s a great tool to have as an up and coming artist, looking for a big break. It’s a great tool for keeping in touch with people in the industry as well.

I guess the flip side to it all is, that with everyone now pretty much downloading songs either for free or for pretty much next to nothing it does make it extremely hard for the likes of myself and people in the same situation to make a living out of what you love doing.

So now what’s happening, is that the Record labels are loosing money and not getting any money back from their investments into new or even established artist, so now there’s other ways that the labels are looking into making money from the artist eg the ‘360 degree clause’ They now want a piece of your touring, merchandise etc etc.

But regardless of what is going on with the big labels, if you market yourself well and have a great product you can and will have a long lasting, successful career as an artist. It may just not be on a global level. But again, Success means something different to everyone.

What do you think sets you apart from other artists out there today?
Not sure really. Everyone wants to be a Rock star lol. We’re all different but yet the same, No ones ‘new’ anymore. Personally, If think so long as you have a great product, and can entertain your fans, then there will always be a market for you out there somewhere. I’ve made it a point these days not to focus too much attention to what everyone else is doing or playing.

My motto has and always will be too ‘write and sing catchy melodic songs that people can sing along with and also relate too’. I’ve always said and still to this day say whenever I finish writing a song or even during the writing process ‘If it moves me, then hopefully it will move others’. Someone once said to me, ‘BK, you can’t please everyone’, so stop trying too’. And with that advice, that’s how I live my life.

I got into music because I loved the feeling it gave me when I heard a band on the radio or saw them playing live or watched the behind the scenes footage at a concert or in the studio and I now have that same feeling inside when I write a new song or perform live.

So hopefully that honesty and passion comes through my music and I guess it’s things like that, that separates artists out there today.

2009....what is in store for Bobby Kidd?

Look into my eyes, I can see the future lol….. just kidding.

2009 is hopefully gonna be a big year for me. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well and I get the opportunity to have a good crack at the U.S market and/or the European market  as well.

And as always, I’ll be playing more shows, be it acoustically or with a backing band. I’ll also be writing more songs, and with any luck have a new product for all my fans out there.

I know you guys must hear this a lot from artists, but can I just say that my fans rock. The never ending support and loyalty I get is truly amazing.

See you all on the road….. bk