Alt/electronic pair FITNESS are no strangers to the monster that is the music industry. Combined, the duo, made up of Eve 6 vocalist Max Collins and ex-AWOLNATION keyboardist Kenny Carkeet, have plenty of experience in the mainstream music scene, but this time around they’re taking the DIY route and chasing sounds that keep them excited about music. The result is their debut full-length album, Karate, out now!
We recently caught up with Collins and Carkeet to talk about the creation of Karate and their upcoming tour plans. Read the full interview and listen to Karate now below!
Interview by Dom Vigil
Can you tell us a little bit about FITNESS for any readers who might not be familiar?
FITNESS is an exploration into our hearts and minds in any given moment.
You both come from very different musical backgrounds – how do you feel these different experiences have allowed you to create the best music possible as FITNESS?
Kenny and I have both experienced “the machine.” We’ve learned a lot about what not to do with regard to the business. We have affirmed DIY ethos that has served us creatively and business wise.
What are some important things or lessons that you’ve learned from one another and your combined experiences in the music industry?
Kenny has unbridled, unapologetic enthusiasm about making music. We are both discriminating music consumers but FITNESS is the opposite of cynical when it comes to creating. We check our egos at the door and open our minds in session.
You guys just released your debut full-length album, Karate in June, as well! What goals did you have in mind when you first started working on the album?
We just wanted to make something dope.
Now that it has been out for a little bit, what are some of your favorite things about Karate?
We are proud of every song on the record. We hold a high bar for ourselves and in order for a song to pass muster it has to undeniably stoke us.
Its hard to be objective about our growth, but i think we’ve gained identity and efficacy through experience.
What would you like your fans to take away from the album?
We want them to feel something. We want them to identify with the emotion of any given song.
You also have a handful of tour dates left this summer! What are you looking forward to at these upcoming shows?
Every show for us is an exercise in total commitment to self-expression. The show is a moving meditation and our mantra is ‘bring it.’
Do you have any other big plans for the rest of 2018?
We could tell you but then we’d have to kill you.
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