I am hanging out today with a singer songwriter that deserves some attention. A local boy from Indianapolis, he brings talented vocals, educated guitar skills, and a passion behind his lyrics. Singing from the heart and providing an image that matches his sound perfectly he deserves to get wherever his talent will take him. Hang out with me today as I introduce you to Scott Kline.
How long have you been playing the guitar?
I have been playing guitar for 8 years; since sometime in my senior year of high school.
What is your first memory of the guitar?
We had an old guitar just sitting in our basement all-growing up just as decoration. I grabbed it and started looking up chords on the Internet, but I quickly broke a string and before too long I broke another one.
Where do you get inspiration for a new track?
Most of the time it is just something that builds up and I write about whatever is on my mind. Still, I keep my notebook ready and write down a key phrase that I think could work for a song. Generally the music comes from a trick or chord I just learned and I put something together and just make up some lyrics based on whatever I might have been writing down over the past couple months.
Why are you taking your shirt off in that photo on your MySpace?
It was to go with the theme of the album. The new album is called “Strip Down for Cash Money.” The music is thirteen solo acoustic recordings taken in one attempt. The cover was to go with that, as if I were selling the shirt off of my back. But most people don’t seem to get that at all.
What is it like being from Indianapolis?
I’m not originally from Indianapolis. I grew up in Paoli, Indiana. I went to IU, and I moved to Indianapolis two and half years ago to pursue music fulltime. I have a couple friends that live hear and I tried forming a band, but it didn’t last. So I am here living in Indianapolis with the hope that I can use it as a home city and be within driving distance of a lot of other cities to perform in.
Do you think being from here helps your writing?
Being in Indianapolis has definitely changed the music that I write. The bands that I’m exposed to through performing and my job have directed my writing in a different direction. I wouldn’t say it has radically changed it, but as I mature it definitely affects everything I write.
What is the largest crowd that you have ever played for?
About 150 I think. I know I’ve been over 100 on several occasions, though most of the time it is more 30 to 75.
The smallest?
A handful, I don’t know exactly.
What is your favorite venue to play?
I don’t really have one. I have numerous least favorites, but I’ve yet to play at a venue where when I am done I can say, “this is home.”
Where can I get a copy of your latest album?
You can buy it at either Luna Music location or off of my MySpace page. My website should be working soon too, but at the moment I am still in the process of making repairs.
Do you have a job or is music it?
I work at Luna Music downtown part time, and as a music minister for Prairie View Christian Church in Fishers, but my main source of income is still performing at the moment.
Do you ever forget the lyrics to your own songs?
I do at times, the brand new ones and the older ones I haven’t performed for a while.
PC or Mac?
Mac, it seemed easier to do all the things I need for work. At the same time, I still have to work with PC people and so it is hard and there are many applications not available on Mac, though the ones that are usually are designed specifically for my needs.
What did you have for dinner last night?
Spaghetti and a peanut butter sandwich, usually it is either that or grilled cheese. I can’t afford much more than that.
Let’s get some pizza. What toppings?
Pepperoni.
Describe your genre in one word.
Mooditude; it was coined by my old bass players dad. I jump around through different styles with all my different songs, or mostly they express a mood or an attitude.
If you could live anywhere else in the world where would you go?
If I could still perform anywhere and have a place to come home to; Assissi, Italy, Freiburg, Germany, or maybe Louisville to be close to where I grew up.
Ever thought of moving out to L.A.?
Thought about it, as my old saying goes, “New York steal your money, L.A. will steal your heart, and Nashville will steal your soul.” So I just stay here at the “crossroads” for a while.
Who are some of your biggest influences?
Wes Montgomery, Goo Goo Dolls, Radney Foster, Nat King Cole, Damien Rice, Jason Mraz, Nickel Creek.
Ever written lyrics with anyone else?
My old bass player, Jordan Whitt, gave me a poem that I turned into a song we now call “Lights Out.” Other than that I write everything by myself.
How do you know Ryan Ahlwardt?
We met when we were still living in Bloomington. I met him through my friend TJ who later became my guitar player for a bit. Ryan and I lived only 2 streets apart and when I moved to Indianapolis we maintained our friendship for a bit. It’s a little tougher now since we rarely see each other, but we do sometimes get to play shows together and we send each other emails.
Let’s say that you are offered a $250,000 record deal. But the album is someone else’s lyrics and it’s a rap album. Do you do it?
No, I’d love to have enough money, but really I am doing this so that my music will be heard. If they offered me money to record someone else’s stuff; someone will eventually offer me money to record my songs.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
I got done playing at the Irving with a freezing cold room, as we finished the set a girl from the one of the other bands told me our music was “pretty.” Though I was less embarrassed after I heard her band. I understood the compliment.
What are you drinking on stage?
Coke no ice. Most people claim water, but it actually leaves my throat drier.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hopefully, on a bus 9 months a year with a month at home with my extended family and a month recording something new. And a new smart car to drive around and relax
in.
What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?
Songs that affected people’s life, but not just people our age, but the next couple generations too. And a life that had enough character that people respected or loved me.
I always let the artist get the last word. Go.
The hardest thing of what I do is staying positive and hopeful. It seems the more work I do, the more it all comes down to luck and who you know.
