Review Fix Exclusive: Kavanagh’s David Emmons Talks ‘Neon Baby’ And More

Review Fix chats with Kavanagh’s David Emmons, who discusses his origin in music, what makes the band special and their new single, “Neon Baby.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

David Emmons: I think if any kid’s taken to a concert when they’re young, they’re going to want to join a rock n roll band. All 5 of us have memories like that. We all met at school, all had the same exciting idea, and yeah – the rest is history. 

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Emmons: We all get in the studio, start having fun, and the songs seem to write themselves. Sometimes I’ll have a vocal line, or the guitarist will have a riff. Then all 5 of us will jam to it, until we’ve created something beautiful. It’s great fun.

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Emmons: As a whole, I suppose we’re inspired by our idols. The people we want to be, the places we want to go. Pioneering rock bands, new and old. But on a personal level, inspiration can come from anywhere. I’m constantly writing lyrics, and even the most mundane things can trigger a verse. Most of the time I find that the most boring, everyday things can hold the most feeling. So when I say that anything can inspire us, I really mean it. 

Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

Emmons: Music as an art form, I adore it. It’s so expressive and pure. No need for a canvas, it’s straight from the soul. In that sense, music is everything. It’s a way of expressing emotion, of showing feeling. I use it to understand myself, and others. I definitely couldn’t live without it. And the feeling of creating music, with people you trust and love, it’s a high like no other. 

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Emmons: Now that’s a hard one. Grunge or garage rock n roll, alternative rock covers it I suppose. We like to call it NitRock. We’re loud, of course we are, there’s 5 of us. But we can be really gentle too. We’re a proper mix.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Emmons: We’re definitely a live band. That’s where we have the most fun. Give us a packed venue over an empty studio any day. It’s more raw, it’s the real deal, with all the scabs. It’s of the moment. I like the connection with the crowd, you can’t recreate that in a studio. It’s always going to be a copy of the experience. 

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Emmons: The latest single ‘Neon Baby’ is about accepting that you’re a part of the modern world. You are the future, part of modern life. The chorus I wrote stoned whilst staring at a Dali painting in my friend’s flat. He’s not around anymore so those words are important to me for that reason too. It’s fast and punchy, just under three minutes, and I like it a hell of a lot. 

Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2020?

Emmons: The rest of 2020 is time for us to get back into the studio and finish the material we’ve been working on. A few exciting single releases, working with some exciting people. So keep your eyes peeled for those. We’d love to get a load of gigs scheduled in, but I’m not sure how likely that’s going to be. We’ll hit it hard next year if not. It’s got to be done.

Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add? 

Emmons: We’re working with esteemed producer Mike Bennett at the moment, and look forward to supporting Fat White Family on tour. So keep your ears to the ground and you’ll definitely be hearing much more from us in the months to come.