Gangs of Kin In Conversation with FAULT Magazine
Gangs of Kin
Gangs of Kin is Joël Gaerthé’s musical ode to cross-border collaboration. Beyond the literal sense of international co-operation, Joel explores the shared kinship of humanity in a world that often seems too ready to abandon that truth. Blending genres unflinchingly, Gangs of Kin mixes and matches his styles firstly, to keep his music creatively unfettered and secondly, to reflect his philosophy that music should be open for everyone to participate in. Whatever creed or culture you come from, Joel’s hope is that you’ll have a home with Gangs of Kin.
Gangs of Kin’s debut EP, ‘Nature Knows No King’, is out now.
FAULT: Why Gangs of Kin? Why not release music as Joël Gaerthé?
Gangs of Kin: I’ve always seen my artistic path as an extension of my own identity. By naming this project Gangs Of Kin, it feels easier to not limit the lyrics and visuals to my own perception of who I am. It makes me feel more free to explore a broader spectrum of subjects and visions. It is also an invitation to like-minded creatives.
You started performing at 16 and haven’t looked back. Did you ever have any doubts about becoming a professional musician?
I’ve been participating in the music industry long before I was aware there was such a thing. I had a moment of stagnation around my 19th birthday: I began to doubt what my message should be. Ever since, I’ve tried to avoid any niggling doubts as I’ve realised music is something that is a part of me. Not something I’m a part of.
What’s your personal philosophy and how does that come across into your music?
In short, all is all. To me, ‘Gangs of Kin’ means that, although we all come from a different background, we are all in this story together – whether we like it or not. We should celebrate that kinship more. Lyrically, I often mention the struggle we’ve created in society. A struggle we all share. Musically, I like crossing genre boundaries.
You’ve just released your latest EP, ‘Nature Knows No King’. What’s your favourite track on it and why?
I honestly like them all for different reasons but, if I had to pick one, it would be ‘You Belong’. I wrote it together with some friends years back after making the first trip out to the States for music. It was around the time I had my doubts about what route to take in life. Shortly after writing it, I started with Gangs Of Kin.
Imagine you get amnesia and see 3 videos of yourself: one singing, one playing piano, and one in the studio making beats. Which version of yourself are you most likely to recognise?
Probably the one in the studio. Making beats is the origin of me falling in love with the freedom in music. It wasn’t about being a virtuoso. It was the first tool I discovered that allowed me to unapologetically create. After that, making beats became an obsession.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I have to work hard to get my music across and that’s been a humbling journey. My highest achievement has been personal messages of people showing true appreciation for my music’s existence. I once read a comment of someone saying they felt the need to travel the world after hearing one of my songs. Years later someone else asked if he had made that step and he replied that he was indeed traveling and still listening to that song. It felt great to see a song had brought people together and helped push someone to experience something new.
Who would you most like to collaborate with and why?
The thing about collaboration is that there needs to be a click. Having that click can be natural or more of a process. I’d love to work with Childish Gambino. I’ve followed his work since he did stand up. He’s versatile and I think that clicks with what I want my music to be.
Who is overrated/underrated
The Child of Lov was a Dutch artist who sadly passed away. He had the privilege of working together with MF DOOM. I feel like his journey though short was one of great potential. He managed to do a lot with the little time he had. I’m disappointed I never met him.
You’ve got a show in Vlaardingen in your native Netherlands later this month. Any other gigs lined up? When can we next see Gangs of Kin live?
We started playing live this year so we have a lot of building up to do on that side of things. For now we’ll play Vlaardingen on the 25th of August, Hilversum on the 17th of November and more will be announced soon. I’m hoping to cross the border ASAP.
What is your FAULT?
I’ve noticed, music is at its most honest when you treat it as intuition more then a finished thought. I’m an over-thinker at times. I can be my own worst enemy in the process of creating and letting go.
