Interviews: Sunflower Fox And The Chicken Leg

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock band Sunflower Fox And The Chicken Leg from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that? 

Kaity had an idea for a name that had something to do with nature as so many themes out of 70’s music have nature allegories. So she had Sunflower Fox in mind it sounded a little too soft and indy. Kyle called his drumsticks ‘chicken legs’ ….get it!? And we tacked it on. We thought it was just ridiculous enough to stick.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

There’s something about ’70s rock that is just so raw and unadulterated. You could say the same about the 60s as well. There was no gridding or a stupid amount of effects and production. You couldn’t autotune. It was just raw talent. If you didn’t do it correctly-you just had to do it again. There is something just amazing about that.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Yes-James (Rhythm Guitar) and I knew each other way back after I saved his ass on a recording project right after I graduated college. We had been trading work for years and I finally joined his very corporate dance band about 7 years ago where I met Kyle (drums) and Al (keys). Craig eventually joined this dance band about 5 years ago…Mike has even subbed with it. It’s a freaking great way to keep your chops up, make some money and see the country.

James and Mike (lead) actually knew OF each other when they were in high school when they played in rival rock bands and then I had known of Mike because he played with my husband…I stole him…and I don’t feel bad hahahah.

Craig and I met years back as we were all in the same rock scene in Minneapolis. And he knew James from the same scene as well. We all kind of knew of each other for years…but we hadn’t ever played together.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Kaity-Heart obviously. I literally named myself after them. Mike-Guns and Roses Kyle-Iron Maiden James- Frank Zappa Al-Tower of Power Craig-Iron Maiden

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I mean it depends on the day. Sometimes right when I’m about to fall asleep, a song just kind of appears in my head and I just write it all out. Usually about whatever situation I’m in or friends in and then I just use allusions or metaphors they used to use in the 70s. Lots of nature and occult references to keep it as close to the genre as possible.

6. Where was your last gig?

We’re not currently gigging as we’re trying to find fans right now! We think that’s super important we did pull a big publicity stunt where all of us (besides James-he’s sober) drank 70 ’70s cocktails (OMG NEVER AGAIN) and tried to keep playing. We had two radio stations, a bar, and a liquor sponsorship for this madness. Btw. Did you know 70’s cocktails all contain either citrus or cream??? Just a recipe for a terrible hangover.

7. Where would you like to perform? 

We’re getting lots of love overseas. The UK, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Spain…so we would really love to meet our fans over there! Anywhere there are fans we will go. That is our plan moving forward.

8. Whom would you like to perform with? 

Of course, we’re gonna say any of our influences: but! There are a ton of retro rock bands coming out of the woodwork these days that we’d love to partner up with. Bands like Gyasi, Lost Hearts, Ace Monroe Band, Dirty Honey just to name a few.

9. Whom not? 

Anyone who’s a dick. How about that?

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I think it really depends on the show and how much is at stake. The only time any of us get nervous at this point is when we have a really new situation or we’ve ‘leveled up’ in some way. Otherwise, most of us feel more comfortable on stage than we do in our real lives. I feel more like myself on stage than off. Mike, James, and I have been teaching performance to supplement our incomes for many years and this question comes up all the time. One of the things I use for clients is to focus on what they can control and put out of their mind the things they can’t. You’re not a mind reader. Nor can you control what people think. But you CAN control how prepared you are, and how you react to situations.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

For this band, it’s a big amalgam of the 70’s and it truly depends on the album that we’re working on. For the first album, there is a ton of Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Iron Maiden, and Zepplin. It was our first one so we went deep into our own influences. As we go and we dive deeper into the 70’s you’ll hear references to 38 Special, Head East, Fanny, Big Star, Black Sabbath, The Eagles, and even Spinal Tap.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for? 

My Only Fans. Ha! For the record, I do not have an Only Fans. None of us do and that is…not on the horizon. Ever.

13. What do you think of your fans? 

I think anyone who digs this style of music in 2023 is awesome and we want to be friends.

14. Something to add?

We’re doing this live. We are all in a room together-we don’t do overdubs unless we have to. We’re trying to bring back the magic that happened in these iconic studios. It’s one thing to record in our basements (where honestly, we totally could technology is totally there) but it’s a whole other thing to go to another part of the country and be in the same space as Kansas/Stevie Wonder (Studio in the Country) or Nirvana/Live (Pachyderm Studios) or Sublime/Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Sonic Ranch) and feel that energy. That’s what they did in the 70’s and that’s what we’re doing now. We describe ourselves as a glorious amalgamation of musical scars and triumphs, rooted in the rock sounds of the 1970s.