Eclectic, political, contemplative, and energetic; the debut release from kibbokid is full of contrast and sonically exciting. “Follow the Leader” tackles politics, which in that sense reminds you of the 60s’ folk revival, songs from Bob Dylan and such, but its multicultural sonic palette steps into alternative rock and world music, giving it a unique feel.

The British artist originally wrote the track in 2016, in response to Britain voting to leave the EU. He might have used the word, “protest song,” to begin with. “Follow the Leader” might have built on this idea, but as years went by, its sonic, lyrical combination grow more complex. Sonically, the song barely touch the folk genre in the traditionally sense, but the folk’s ethos root deep. In the age where genres are no longer being defined by sounds, kibbokid’s debut release is certainly a step forward, in the process of tracing back.

From Peter Warlock to Fairport Convention and Shirley & Dolly Collins, kibbokid has been tracing the evolution, being fascinated by English folk music. In the interview, we talks about inspirations and future plans. kibbokid might have revealed what’s coming next.

Punk Head: I love how inventive the backdrop of “Follow the Leader” is. What did everything come together?

kibbokid: Thank you! Well, I was originally going to record the song live, with a band, in April 2020 – the pandemic saw an end to that. So what you hear was born out of the limitations of what I could record myself in my small London flat. All the parts are sung and played by me, which I guess makes it concentrated with both my abilities and also my shortcomings.

PH: What are you most proud about this track?

kibbokid: I started thinking about this track in 2016 when Britain voted to leave the EU. It was a very tumultuous time, societally and economically (still is), and initially wanted to write a protest song. The original was quite unforgiving, but the song has been through many iterations since then, and I think now has a more compassionate tone. This tracks my own personal development, and I’m glad I arrived where I have – there’s too much anger around these days.

PH: What do you aim to accomplish in the near future?

kibbokid: I have a whole collection of related songs that I’m hoping will see the light of day in the very near future.

PH: Who are you listening to at the moment?

kibbokid: Truthfully, my listening is all over the place. I like to listen to anything and everything that passes my way. I have been reading Rob Young’s book Electric Eden which tracks the vein of English folk music from 19th Century collectors and composers up through the psychedelic explorations of the 1960s and 70s. So I’ve been listening to a lot of that: everything from Peter Warlock and Vaughan Williams to Fairport Convention and Shirley & Dolly Collins. It’s not a music that I want to play myself, but I do have an interest in England’s folk traditions – it’s all very mysterious to me, and I want to understand it better.

PH: What is the one thing that you’d like your fans to know about you?

kibbokid: That I deeply appreciate their time and attention.