“All the attention has been
wonderful, but it's a little
embarrassing,” Billy Kernkamp admitted after showcasing his talent on a
show
called “Turning the Verge” at Time Warner Studios. “It's the hardest
thing
I'm coming to terms with. I'm finally being recognized, and it's a great
thing.” The 33-year-old singer/songwriter also took home the OC Music
Awards Best Live Acoustic Act award this year. Starting off as a solo
project,
Kernkamp kept his name, but added a full band to play live shows around
Orange
County and flesh out his stories of whiskey, love and loss.
]
Formerly a
member of country-rock bands the Sinners, Billy K and the Starliners and
Last
Campfire, Kernkamp is finally pursuing his dreams of stardom on his own
terms.
He closed his store Vintage Victim Denim Blues in Huntington Beach in
September
and is focusing on music full-time. He's releasing his
full-length
debut album 1976 with a gig at Detroit Bar on May 15; read our full interview–and listen to an album preview–next week. In the meantime, he talks to Danielle Bacher about his favorite places in OC.
Where are your three
favorite places to be in Orange County?
Billy Kernkamp: My first would place would have to be Zion
Studios. My friend
and producer, Dallas Kruse is there. It's like Charlie and the Chocolate
factory, only we write and record music. It's magical. Next, would be my
apartment in Costa Mesa. Am I allowed to say that? It's just my home
where I
feel safe and comfortable. Last would be Gypsy Den. Well, that's an easy
one. I
work there with the greatest people that work and own that place. The
food is
great and the customers are astounding. You need to try the waldorf
chicken
salad sandwich. It's my favorite.
You have a bunch of
local musicians playing with you at Detroit
Bar for your album release. What local bands are you listening to now?
Holy crap. There are so
many. Let's keep it to the records I
have: Barrett Johnson, Melanoid, Yellow Red Sparks, Railroad to Alaska,
The New
Limb, Handsome G, We Are The Pilots, Honeypie and Justin Grennan.
