Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers Interview

We're excited to announce that Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers are the first band we'll be spotlighting during Jammin' January!

"SK6ERS," as they're also affectionately known, have carved a determined, inspiring path since forming in Western Massachusetts in 2003. An exceptional live act given to high-energy showmanship, The Sixers are closing in on their 1000th show with a newfound grit and gratitude. Stephen and the core Sixers -- Kit "Goose" Karlson (keys, bass, tuba, accordion) and Brian "Boots" Factor (drums, mandolin, banjo), are friends who act like brothers and switch off on their instruments to keep it fresh; much in the tradition of their collective heroes, 'The Band.' "We've all opted to approach our life in the same way -- trying to put integrity ahead of ambitions of fame and fortune, though we'd like that too... at least the fortune part," Stephen says with a laugh.

Many bands talk about "keeping it real," but in The Sixers' case, they mean it. "We're not up there projecting a personality we can't believe in. I think it's important to go with the feel of each moment and take chances."

We were lucky enough to score a quick interview with lead singer Stephen Kellogg. Here's what the musician had to say...

ful: What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?
Stephen Kellogg: Well, on the selfish side of things, the addition of Sam Getz on pedal steel and guitar, to our band has probably been the most exciting thing to me. I feel like having the sound of his guitar/steel (lonesome and explosive by turns), makes us feel like we have our band together and we can walk any plank without fear now. No songs off limits, no show either.

ful: You guys have a lot of shows coming up around the country. Do you have a
favorite city to play in ? A favorite venue?
SK: This is a lose, lose question (-= because there are SO many great cities in this country it's just not worth offending the others. Our favorite cities do tend to be the places where people like our music the most though. I guess that makes me a master of the obvious.

ful: Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers?
Do you have a set play list?
SK: 4th of July is the song we play the most.

We chose from about 60 different songs each night and change about 70% of what we play every night. It's my inner deadhead. It means there will always be spontaneous moments at every show and that's one of the aspects of SK6ERS that I am most proud of. We love to play other peoples songs if we feel we can bring something new and cool to it.

ful: What's your favorite song to play?
SK: This changes depending on mood. I like a lot of the darker songs, "Cradle of Family", "You Win", "Born in the Spring" but one of our most evolving, exciting songs to play is "Milwaukee" because we change the ending every night.

ful: What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?
SK: We've played some really unique settings for different types of audiences (elementary schools, hospitals, army bases, retirement homes) and the audience affects the way you play. Before I was in SK6ERS I once got booked to play the opening of a Pep Boys Auto Parts with a friend of mine. Needless to say I don't think it affected the show positively (-=.

On our most recent recording, The Bear, we did quite a bit of recording in an old house that was VERY cold and I can feel it on our song "Howl at the Moon."

ful: What was the last song you wrote? Can you tell us about it?
SK: The last song I wrote is called "Irish Rose." I finished it up last week with Marc Roberge from O.A.R. and it's one for them to play. It's an intense song about a man who loses the love of his life to breast cancer. Heavy song, but ultimately redeeming and hopeful in the way that I think all of the music I work on is.

ful: What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming
recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).
SK: Haha.Well we're mixing two shows we did in NYC for a potential live record, we're touring through the spring with Needtobreathe and then breaking off to do 5 shows leading up to our 1000th show as a band! We are actually making plans for the next record too. it's life at 11 right now and I think we all feel tremendously fortunate to have this job in these particular times.

ful: What bands are you loving right now? Who would you love to play with?
SK: I'm loving State Radio, Josh Ritter, Cat Stevens, Jon McLaughlin and John Mayer.

I'd love to play with Jewel.

ful: What advice do you have for people who want to give it a go in the music
industry?
SK: Pay close attention to the music you're making and find your voice. Who it is YOU want to be, then set out diligently to be exactly the artist. Keep your integrity in tact. If that sounds like obscure advice, it's not. The business can come together, but the art is really gonna be the most important thing you do and it's the legacy you'll leave behind, so it's got to be right. Taken me a long time to really understand that.

ful: We at ful bags are super excited to be working together. Have you had a chance to use our luggage/bags? What do you think?
SK: Oh man... we are all using them and we have different bags so we're like a full-on roving display. I love the duffle cause it's really roomy and has the wheels. Boots has the backpack. The bags have the best names. Thrilled to be working with you guys and thanks for believing in SK6ERS!

Check out some of their music here.