Civil Twilight will steal your heart with their passionate vocals. After your heart is stolen you will fall in love again with the classical song arrangements, indie rock style. Originally hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, Andrew McKellar, Richard Wouters, Steven McKellar and Kevin Dailey packed up in 2005 and headed for L.A. As they were a well known band, they quickly got signed to a label (One October). They then co-produced their debut record, Human. A smashing success, several songs were featured in prime-time television shows, including One Tree Hill, House, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Their music has also since been featured on House, Big Love, Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, Degrassi and Vampire Diaries. Civil Twilight picked up once again and moved to one of the best music cities in the U.S., Nashville.
Civil Twilight have headlined a US tour (with Morning Parade opening up), supported two months with Mutemath, and various dates with Young the Giant. Past tour mates have also included Florence + the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, Anberlin, Neon Trees, Jimmy Eat World, Silversun Pickups, and Of Monsters and Men. Civil Twilight are no strangers to music festivals having played Austin City Limits, Bumbershoot, Milwaukee Summerfest, Music Midtown, Bonnaroo, Voodoo, Hangout, Mountain Jam, 80-35, Vh1’s Best Cruise Ever, Rivers Edge, and a headline performance at the Rockin’ the Daisies festival in Cape Town, South Africa.
We are honored to have Civil Twilight be a part of our Bunbury Music Festival this year! We caught up with Steven McKellar to talk TV shows, surprises and wisdom.
From South Africa to L.A. to Nashville, what drew you to the South?
To be honest, it was cheaper than LA. And we just wanted to get out of the rat race for a little while. But, like so many folks who move to the south and especially Nashville, we ended up staying longer than expected. I love the south.
What inspired your last project, Holy Weather?
I think the inspiration was the road. The people we'd met along the way. We wrote the album while we were touring and so I think the things we were experiencing and the places we were seeing shaped the music in some way. And we just wanted to make something different to the last record.
You songs have been featured on quite a few TV shows, do you guys ever get together to watch and wait to hear them?
Well, I don't know about the other guys, but I don't watch TV or any of those sorts of shows. So, no, I don't do that. But I love hearing about them from other people; “Oh, your song was in that show during that murder scene. That was so awesome!” Ok, cool man. Thanks. Ha.
What is next for Civil Twilight? Is there an album in the works?
Yes, there is an album in the works. We have a little garage studio set up and we're in there as often as we can be, working on new stuff. I have no idea what it's gonna turn out like, but that's what's so fun about doing this.
Any surprises up your sleeve for the Bunbury performance?
I overheard Andrew talking about doing the entire show with red ants in his pants. Anything to inspire some new dance moves I suppose.
Words of wisdom for bands wanting to hit it big?
If you want the chance to have a long lasting artistic career, it's sounds cliche , cause it is, I guess. But, never do it for money. And always maintain good friendships and pure connections. Keep making music for as long as you can. And keep putting yourself out there for people to see and/or hear you. Don't become cynical. Don't become numb. Keep the child within alive at all times. Trust your instinct ALWAYS.
But, if you want to 'hit it big'? Do the exact opposite of everything I just told you.
Win passes to Bunbury Music Festival HERE!
