BMA Band Profile with Allan Sko

Bossman Allan Sko here, with the quickest of quick intros. Just wanted to state that ol’ Haedo here is a supremely talented Muso and teacher, as well as one of Canberra’s loveliest people (I would wager, one of the WORLD’S loveliest, but I don’t get out much, so am underqualified to comment). Over to you, Mr Kinsman!

How did you start on this magical musical journey?

I’ve always had a natural curiosity about the piano. My uncle taught me Mary Had a Little Lamb when I was young.

Into my early teenage years, I owned one of those cheap keyboards – the kind that doesn’t care how hard you press the keys, wasn’t weighted, and had no sustain pedal. It was great fun for a long time, but I knew there was more to the piano and I craved that knowledge.

So, in my mid-teen years, I sought a decent digital home piano.

As soon as it was set up, I fell in love with the depth of sound, the response to my fingers, and the keys’ weight—I still recall the smell. It was heaven, and a new love was born. This was compounded in 2017 when I decided to study Music Performance at CIT. It was the first time playing with other musicians, and I’ve never turned back!

Describe your sound:

Too much of a cop-out to say ‘indie’? It’s whatever I feel like writing, although my songs tend to be quite introspective. I like to reflect on my life; its mistakes and successes.

So lyrically, you’ll find a lot of that— add love of nature and hatred of the city… Et voila!

I switch between keyboard/guitar depending on what I wrote it on, but the most important aspect of my songwriting is making the harmony enjoyable: lush chords and exciting chord progressions!

Your key tracks?

My band The Dalmatians has recently launched a new single called Sunshine, it’s definitely worth a listen! Although my role is exclusively keyboards.

I haven’t released music myself; more of a performer than recorder. Although I am looking to record – hopefully this year! [obligatory eye emojis] Songs that directly inspire my work: Styrofoam Plates by Death Cab for Cutie; Logic of Color – Variation by Wye Oak; and locally (until she moved to Tassie!), one of my absolutely fave tracks, Elimatta Hotel by Cathy Diver.

Your influences?

Top of my list is Death Cab for Cutie, particularly their older work, all the way up until 2010! Artists of ambience, kings of quirky melodies, and masters of metaphors. After them, in no particular order (except the one I’m listing now): Wye Oak, The Whitlams, Crumb, Phish, and pre-2000 The Smashing Pumpkins.

What are some of your most memorable experiences?

Falling through the roof of the backyard shed as a kid. Absolutely exhilarating experience, 10/10, would recommend.

Otherwise, playing piano for Fred Smith to 3000 people in the massive tent at the 2022 National Folk Festival was pretty cool! But I must say, nothing can beat an intimate gig where you’re close to your bandmates and the audience.

What is it that you love about the scene?

As a member of Canberra’s music scene, I am lucky because so many of us support one another. There are little cliques now and then, but the heart of the original music scene is fantastic.

We’re lucky enough to have the powerhouse culture hub that is Smith’s Alternative, with heaps of shows, events, and workshops every week.

Tell us about one of your proudest moments:

Growing up, I experienced a lot of anxiety and depression. I was selectively mute in primary school and only spoke at home to family. In high school, I lacked social skills and was always clinging to walls and corners.

In 2015, I decided to push myself into the real world – I got my first job and acquired my Year 10 equivalent certification from CIT. In 2016, I continued into the Year 11-12 program at a tertiary level and graduated with results that I was very proud of.

I’m most proud of the personal growth I experienced through that process and of who I came out as on the other side. I walked in as an introvert and walked out as… still an introvert, but with significantly more social skills, discipline, and knowledge!

What are your plans for the future?

Gig more! Release music! Write more music! Collaborate! Treat my addiction to exclamation marks! Relapse!!!

I’m also looking to expand my piano teaching business from home and into the world of video lessons. So get in touch!

What makes you laugh?

Honestly, most things. That’s how life should be. Witty humour, toilet humour, witty toilet humour. I remember the first joke I ever actually understood and laughed hysterically at. I must have been about 6 or so.

Q: What do you call an igloo without a toilet??
A: An ‘ig’.

What pisses you off?

Cost of living/corporate greed, people with no respect or consideration, and people who tell me I say ‘tomato’ wrong.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Yes.

Where can people check you out?

Website: haydenkinsman.com
IG: instagram.com/haydenkinsmanmusic
FB: facebook.com/HaydenKinsmanMusic
Email: HaydenKinsman@haydenkinsman.com
Piano Lessons: Contact me on the above!
I’m friendly, and only bite upon request.