So Recently I got the opportunity to catch up with Kawnar who is a musician based out of Tulsa, OK. Kawnar has been in the Tulsa Music Scene for several years and has received a bunch of notable mentions in the press. Most recently Kawnar was the first runner up for the Lost Theme Song contest held at Comic Con 09, You can download a copy of that song here. Kawnar also allowed us some exclusive Leaks for his album BDFFRNT!, Timeless Sync* and Heartbreaker , which you can download by clicking the track title.
Check out what Kawnar had to say below
WYDURock: What’s up Kawnar, Since this is your first interview with WYDURock, why not give yourself a little introduction and tell the folks about yourself.
Kawnar: I’m pretty much a rapper, with a guitar who tries really hard to sing. But fails at it. I’m the most amazing person in the world. That is if the world consists of who is in this room right now. (it’s just my cat gryffin. He sucks)
WYDURock: So pretty much you’re like a one man band who wishes he didn’t have a microphone?
Kawnar: haha. Wouldn’t say I wish I didn’t have a microphone. I just enjoy instruments. I get bored easily and instruments tend to keep my attention longer in music
WYDURock: For as long as I have been tuned into the Tulsa Music Scene, I have been hearing stuff from you, tell me a little about your history and how you got into creating music.
Kawnar: I really don’t remember (too many drugs (ok maybe not (I’ve never actually tried drugs (but I have tried parentheses)))) I started when I was 8 I think. I used to try really hard mimicking the rappers on TV. Before rap I loved country, yet I can’t stand that genre today. So that probably explains why my music is weird. Being that I have gone through phases of different music that I listen to. Got into hip hop seriously when I was 14. Started doing shows when 16. Picked up the guitar at 18. Won my first award at 20. Good things happen every 2 years. Hopefully next year is a good year. (I’m 21)
WYDURock: Did you have a specific Musician that you looked up to in the Sub 14 years of age? Did your influences change after 14?
Kawnar: I wouldn’t say I looked up to any “musicians” as everyone I looked up to just did vocals. Umm. Michael Jackson was big growing up. As far as rap went it was Twista pre 14 and tech n9ne post 14. Once I was around 17/18 I started listening alot to Jamiroquai. That band really changed music for me.
WYDURock: Was there a concept behind the BEDFFRNT album? Maybe a better question is how is it DFFRNT?
Kawnar: it started with me making songs for a Disney movie. They needed to be really “poppy”. I came up with “heartbreaker” and “timeless sync”. Being that these songs where completley out of the norm for me. I decided I was going to make an ep so these songs wouldn’t just sit in my hard drive and no one hears them. As far as the spelling it’s just different without any vowels. So it’s a different way of spelling different. Haha. The title is just a statement I believe in, it’s not saying that I feel this music is different than what you hear on the radio. It’s different for me. It’s my version of the radio. I feel everyone should try to be dffrnt. 
WYDURock: I have been fortunate enough to be able to receive copies of various mixes of your new album BEDFFRNT. From the previous mix I received to this final one there seems to be quite a bit of changes, what prompted the mix to change so drastically ?
Kawnar: It was just me being picky. I did re-record a couple parts to kind of bring each track to it’s height. The focus group I did helped me determine what needed to be changed. Especially with GO#”. The track sounded okay. But it missed performance. So after I re recorded parts I made it sound pretty good. Spent plenty hours on the production side because the lyrics on the song really meant a lot to me.
WYDURock: Shouldnt the track be named #Go? #Justsayin, hahah.
Kawnar: Haha. That title came about in a weird way. The working title of that song while I was making it was G# (G Sharp) just so I could remember what the first note was. And I could never come up with a better title, so I just added an “O” so it would actually make a word. hahahaha!
WYDURock: Well I can’t necessarily say picky is a bad thing, but it’s nice to see independent artists using “focus groups” to enhance their final product. Have you decided on a release date for BEDFFRNT ?
Kawnar: Yeah focus groups are good for getting a solid idea where you are going. The release date was simply just timing. It’s been done for a while. But releasing it in June gives me time to promote.
WYDURock: Do you have an official Release date yet? Where will this album be available for purchase?
Kawnar: I dont have an OFFICIAL release date.. it will be early june.. and then my release party is june 18th at the legendary Cains Ballroom in Tulsa, OK. The album itself can be purchased on most of the online outlets. like iTunes.
WYDURock: Are you going to have any hard copies pressed up? Also what can the readers expect to pay for BDFFRNT?
Kawnar: Yeah I already have the hard copies, they look GREAT! they shall cost $5 at shows and such. Digital downloads can be found around that area as well. They hit iTunes on JUNE 2nd. I’m putting together this little “thing” where everyone will download them at the same time so I can hopefully reach the top charts on iTunes! so JUNE 2nd at 7pm.. make sure you show some love! 
WYDURock: Call me a Twitter Stalker but I thought I heard you mention something about a video for this album, is that in the works? If so when will it be coming out?
Kawnar: haha yeah. we are editing “Sheep” right now.. it’s coming along alright. it’s a very basic video just me and my guitar with a couple cool effects shot.. its just very bright and pretty. I dont know when its going to come out due to time restraints. Me and the directo can never find time to get together.. I only can work on that stuff during the days and thats the time when he sleeps.. so its tough to meet up.. haha. I imagine it will be late june.
WYDURock: Well I cant wait to take a look at the video, you have any final thoughts for the readers?
Kawnar: I just appreciate anyone who listens to me, even if you steal it and give the music to all your friends. It truly means a lot for people to even care! I mean thats the one thing I want more than anything from music, is for people just to care about it.
For more information on Kawnar use the various websites below:
http://www.myspace.com/kawnar
http://www.twitter.com/kawnar
http://www.facebook.com/kawnar
