Kissing The Flint On the Making Of “Gunslinger Love”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Gunslinger Love?”
I wrote “Gunslinger Love” quite a few years back, simply as a poem without music before I taught myself to play guitar and before I called myself a songwriter. I think the original idea came to me in a dream! I’m also a big fan of the Stephen King ‘Dark Tower’ book series with a gunslinger as the main character, so that may also have popped up in my subconscious at that time.
What did you enjoy most about making "Gunslinger Love?"
Making music is pure joy and I’m compelled to immerse in it, each and every day. This is who I’ve always been meant to be. Realising and owning this has helped me grow so much as an artist these past couple of years. It’s such a special thing to see your initial ideas build and build into full power and connect with listening and live music audiences. Writing and recording really is a kind of alchemy, creating and bringing something new, unique, and previously intangible into the world! I have also been so lucky to be able to work with some truly amazing people, forming genuine, creative relationships that have evolved into ongoing collaborations and some long-lasting friendships! My talented friend Laurie Rayment worked with me on co-arranging ‘Gunslinger Love’ bringing his fantastic blues-rock style to the signature guitar riffs on the single. I asked him to just be himself and go for it and the results speak for themselves! Along with guitars and my vocals, we had a lot of fun recording with my producer Dave Beacon at High Lion Studio, adding drums from Louis Parish, a bass line from Ken Chynoweth-Tidy, and Hammond B3 from Win Liv Shak. The icing on our very tasty blues-rock cake was the final mastering which was done by Grammy-award nominated Ben Findlay. This is the first time I’ve worked with him and I hope we can do more in the future. The combined collaborative efforts of everyone who worked on my single have brought to life a riff-laden epic tale which fires up with all guns blazing and thunders on to the final, battle-between-the-sexes showdown!
How does "Gunslinger Love" fit into your overall artistic vision and what can listeners expect from you in the future?
Although I do also connect with audiences more intimately through some of my slower, reflective songs, I’m also a rock chick at heart, having grown up inspired by fantastic female artists such as Pat Benatar, Patti Smith, and Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders). Performing my own music in the rock genre, dressed up in full rock chick gear, and giving it my all is such an empowering feeling, so “Gunslinger Love” definitely showcases that side of me. At gigs, I can get up close and personal one moment, but then rock it out really hard the next.
Having said that, I’m also working on a third album with a new producer here in the UK, who discovered my songwriting through a mutual contact and wanted to record 10 of my more recent songs for this project. Different producers usually mean different sounds and styles so there will be soul, country-rock, and even some reggae coming with this one.
We’re constantly evolving as artists but also never forget our inspirational roots. So who knows where this creative journey will lead for Kissing The Flint? Gunslinger 2 The Rematch? Anything’s possible.
How do you continuously grow and evolve as a band?
I continuously grow and evolve as an artist by writing and performing regularly, spending time with other talented creatives, and observing the world around me. I write from experience, empathy, and emotion so am constantly seeking or being inspired to write about new themes. I actually have two bands, one in the UK and Australia, all talented people who are 100% supportive and invested in the music that I create. If your band members don’t ‘get’ your vision and genuinely dig your music, then the energy in the studio and on stage just won’t be there. If you’re not having fun and enjoying what you do, then what’s the point?
Are there any specific venues or festivals that you dream of performing at?
I think my creative life would be complete if I could perform on one of the stages at Glastonbury! A gig at Red Rocks in Colorado would also be mind-blowing. I have an online friend who lives in Colorado and Red Rocks is her local venue, where she has seen some amazing artists perform. It would be fabulous to play there and meet her in person one day!
We’ve still got a stack of 2023 dates left to gig here in Scotland, where I’ve been living these past 3 years after moving to the UK from Australia in 2020. My bass-player husband Ken and I then jet off back to home soil in Aus for a couple of months at the beginning of 2024 to reunite with our Australian band members for our first tour there in 4 years. We’re putting together those dates behind the scenes at the moment, to be announced later this year. We’re already confirmed for the main stage at Agnes Blues Roots & Rock Festival in February 2024 along with legendary artists Vika & Linda. We can’t wait to rock out ‘Gunslinger Love’ on Aussie soil for the first time since its release!