By Brenda Hillegas
Reed Kendall, founder of the eclectic Philly folk rock act, Up the Chain, has been strumming his acoustic six-string since you were just a kid (he was too, but he was playing the guitar at the time.) Having just finished producing his new album, we figured it an appropriate time to check in on the dude, who was last featured in Origivation in March 2010. Kendall put down the guitar for a brief period to answer some of questions on, you know, life and all that. After all, new album, new collaborators, new tour…Up the Chain seems on their way, well, up.
O: At this point, it seems Up the Chain is pretty well known around the Philly area. But, just in case, how would you describe the band to someone who hasn’t heard anything about you? Who influences you locally? What bands, singers/songwriters from the past few decades are you inspired by?
RK: I’d say we are a product of our influences. It’s hard to describe what that is, because the five core members come from such different backgrounds. My songwriting has been most strongly influenced by Dave Matthews, Conor Oberst, Jack Johnson, Hezekiah Jones, Cowmuddy, Dawes, Amos Lee, Chris Kasper and Neil Young.
O: Are you planning any other events in March or April to promote the album?
RK: We’re currently planning a southern tour for the spring, but March 8th, we’ll be at Philly Mardis Gras at World Cafe Live downstairs, April 7th at Johnny Brenda’s for Toy Soldiers EP Release Party, and April 9th we’re acoustic at Studio LuLoo in NJ with Chris Kasper and Johnny Miles.
O: Did you record the entire new album at Turtle Studios? What made you choose that studio?
RK: We did the vast majority of the recording at Turtle. I met Jay Levin [studio owner] right at the time I was considering making a record, so the timing was good. Turtle seemed to have a very strong sense of community. Jay seemed genuinely interested in helping make a great record and getting it out for people to hear, so I was drawn to that. I think what eventually sold me on Turtle was that Jay introduced me to Barrie Maguire, the producer.
O: Tell me a bit about working with Barrie Maguire. How did you meet him and what made you decide to work with him?
RK: I met Barrie through Turtle Studios, specifically Jay. I had heard all sorts of great things about his work and the fact that Barrie had produced an Amos Lee record was certainly appealing to me. We met briefly at Turtle Studios and a few times at my house in East Falls. It was clear from the beginning that he had a lot to add to the batch of songs I had for this record. Getting him on board was one of the easiest and best decisions I’ve made in a while.
O: So what can you tell me about the hidden track on the new album?
RK: Ah yes, the hidden track. I think people don’t really understand why it’s on the record until I tell them that it’s me singing. It’s a recording of me at 12 years old playing the first song I ever wrote. The lyrics are, uh, interesting. As ridiculous as the song may be, in some strange way it’s a testament to my ambition. That’s what I tell myself, at least. I either hide my face or laugh every time I hear it.
O: Who else appears on your new album?
RK: There are a couple guest appearances by some Philly songwriters I admire a lot. Cowmuddy sings on “Up the East Coast” and Hezekiah Jones sings on “Here I Haven Meet.” Hezekiah and I can also be heard discussing tsunamis, methane gas bubbles and oil spill propaganda throughout the song. A handful of these songs were inspired by their music, so having them appear on the record was an honor.
O: The article on Folk You Philly says that your album has songs for everyone. Do you think this is true? Would you describe your album to someone in their twenties the same way you’d describe it to their parents or grandparents? What words would you use to sell your album?
RK: I would describe the album in the same way to anyone who asked and I would struggle to do so each time. I guess I could say the songs are catchy yet substantive- all based around the quality musicianship of the band. It’s hard for me to say, really. What do you think?
