Billy Klippert

Darrin: Billy, it has been a couple of years since we have talked.  I think the last time was soon after your first disc came out.  It has been an interesting 2 years for you?

Billy: It has been awhile for sure. Many a moon ago in a land far far away, a long time ago. I was on your site looking around, and I saw Rik Emmett and Dave Dunlop on there.

Darrin: So far only Rik.  But I hear Dave is getting the Full Nine going again, so I have hit him up a bit to try and get him on the site.

Billy: Dave is a great guy. Dave helped me get my new band together.

Darrin: He seems very genuine, and I think you have to be a genuine, good person to work with Rik.

Billy: I remember listening to Triumph. I went from listening to MC Hammer to Metallica in one day, **laughs** . Then after that, my sister married this guy that listened to all this weird rock. Like Triumph, and these other bands..it was happy rock. Not so..upsetting. I guess I grew up with tunes that same from some depressing days **laughs**

Darrin: Speaking of which, Triumph goes to the Hall of Fame in March, and they will appear together on stage to accept the award.

Billy: Deservedly so! Rik Emmett has done a lot of nice things.

Darrin: It has been an interesting 2 years for you?

Billy: Oh man yeah/.  It was something alright. Music has it’s hills and valleys for sure. I was on the hill, for so long. **laughs** All of a sudden, I had to write a new record! I was supposed to do an album not this last October, but the October BEFORE that. That is how long it took. And then I had to do a play, I played a semi kinda stupid guy, at the Elgin Theater, for Snow White and the Group Of Seven.

Darrin: With Alan Frew of Glass Tiger

Billy: That is the one. It was a fantastic thing. So what happened was, they were wanting this album in October, but I had moved on from the producer I had with the first album. I mean, I loved the guy to death, and I am sure he does great work, but him and I had some differences. So, he was ready to produce it, and I was like, “No, I just can’t bring myself to work with you!” And so, I waited it out, Orange basically gave me a pile of money, and told me they wanted me to do the record that I wanted to do.  Within reason of course. Still you know, it is tending to lean towards a pop rock album, but the guitars and everything are heavier.  I got the right producer this time. I love Matt Dematteo like at first, he was like…I am not sure if I can do this record, you were on Canadian Idol, what is that all about?

So he had me come out to the studio, and I got to sing in front of him, and he was like holy schmoley, this is great! He asked if I wrote the tunes, and I said yup, and he said “I can produce this record!” We had a great time in the studio me and him. We did everything. I played all the guitars, and he played all the drums, and we had a really wicked summer making a record.

Darrin: What is your brother Benny up to these days?

Billy: Well, he is right here beside me!! I am definitely working with him, he is drumming in the band, and we are actually going to revive a couple of old Kovered In Lies tunes..

Darrin: Naked and the Simple Truth is your second release by the Orange Label. I think it portrays you in a truer manner than the first album.  What were the major changes in the writing approach of this album?

Billy: Yeah.  You know it is funny.  The demos of the songs off the first album are pretty heavy. I did not really know what was going on.  I had just come from singing on a 40 million dollar karaoke show. I was a bit like a chicken with it’s head cut off. I knew I had to get something done, but not really knowing what that something was. This album though, I took some serious time to sat down and write the songs. It was 6 or 7 months.  And when you are writing, there is no money coming in.

Darrin: So I guess the first album was, “Here is your producer, your musicians, this is the studio…1..2..3….GO!

Billy: It was even worse than that. It was like “Ok Billy, here are some DVD’s.  We will call you when we need you. And then there was the one where it was “Billy, can you come in here and teach this guy the guitar part. And I said “Well, why can’t I just play it?” And they said “No, no, we are going to use this guy, because it will be faster!”

This time, if I didn’t do it, it did not get done.  I am way happier with the way this record came out. It is a creation that I am 100% more proud of.

Darrin: Canadian Idol seems so far away now.  Do you still follow it, or anyone you were on the show with? What are your feelings 2 years later about participating in the show?

Billy: Oh no.  I said before in an interview, I never really wanted to go on the show. My sister waited in line for me, and there was a torrential snow storm, and she called me and told me she was freezing. I was like..Arrgghh..fine. I was thinking I would get the boot in a second. I had no idea that they were searching for a pop star.  I was more into the heavier alternative stuff. But they liked it. And all of a sudden I beat out 15, 752 people or whatever, that came out and tried to win.  I was not unhappy about that.

I mean it has offered me a lot of opportunities, it has been as much of a hindrance as an upswing thing for me. I mean, I could probably swear on a mic for 3 hours, put it on a CD, call it a record, and they would still try to sell me under the pop category.

Darrin: So you were pigeon holed right out of the gates as a pop guy.

Billy: Absolutely. But if there are people out there to buy the records, I am happy to make them. It has given me a chance to explore a different kind of side of what I do. I can make songs that the mass majority can relate to.

Darrin: Who were some of your biggest influences in music when you were growing up?  When did you decide that you wanted a future in music?

Billy: I think I decided on the career, when people started telling me I sounded like the people I was trying to replicate. I listened to Kurt Cobain, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden and all these guys, I just loved their voices. Basically I would go home, turn on MTV, and record anything that had long hair. I ended up just loving music at that time. Then being able to recreate it, then write it. Before that, I wanted to be the best guitar player in the world, but my dad told me I would never make a dime if I did not open my mouth. So I stood in the basement, trying to belt out a few things, and it sounded a lot like Ernie from Sesame Street. And a combo of Ernie and Bert. It was bad, out of tune. But when your dad owns a music store, and you have access to a 4 track, you can listen to yourself, and figure out how things go it helps. I just like getting the music out to people and the satisfaction it brings me. And when people say, Dude, you are really good!! That helps..and the girls.  Yeah the girls were a good thing too.

Darrin: How old were you when you first picked up the guitar?

Billy: I guess I was about 14…

Darrin: Wow, late bloomer **laughs**

Billy: I think it is a good time, because 13 and 14 is the time where you really start getting into the music that you like. And then you are influenced by the music you grew up listening to.

Darrin: If you were not in performance and recording, what would you be doing to make a living?  Is there anything out of the music business that interests you?

Billy: Well, I went to the University of Calgary, and tutored calculus for a couple of semesters. I did really well.  I liked physics, and math were my thing, as well as music. I definitely enjoyed school a lot. I got great marks. I didn’t before they invented Ridlin.**laughs** Two of my good friends that I went to university with, one teaches physics at the University of Michigan, and the other one is trying to apply to NASA. I thought that was wild. That is a future you can always count on, and it is a cheque in the bank.

Darrin: My brother started off in guitar school, now he is a Phd in Physics, out of the University of Florida.  Working in Chicago.  Must be something with guitars and physics..

Billy: I have heard that math and music go together!

Darrin: Sounds like an album name: Musical Mathmetics….

Billy: My first bands name was In The Name of Science.

Darrin: You play a lot of guitar.  What are your main guitars and amps these days?  Sorry, but I always have to drag the conversation into gear at one point.

Billy: Well again, having my dad own a music store, I had access to lot’s of cool gear. My favorite guitars have always been Les Pauls. I love the distortion from the humbuckers on them. I have a Les Paul Classic, for amps, I like Mesa Boogie Triple or Dual Rectifiers. I have had a Hiwatt and a Marshall, but the Boogie just does it for me.

This record, Matt and I did not even use an amplifier. We used Line 6 Amp Farm. It was pretty interesting stuff. It has some pretty good tones. It was nice to have everything right there in the room, without having to keep running out to the live room. Some of these amplifier programs are unreal. We used like a $500 Carvin guitar, and a crappy old Telecaster. But Matt, was an extraordinary guy. I got into the studio and asked, what vocal mic do you want to use? I said, “Should we use the big one in the other room?” “The one that is like 30 Grand?” He said :”I don’t care!” Well, what about this one? He says, I think this one sounds good. We recorded the acoustic and the vocal, with like a 500 dollar mic. Matt has all the tools to do what a person wants. He can make anything sound good.  Can you tell I REALLY like this producer?

Darrin: You have what I must say, some of the most loyal fans I have ever come across.  They reside for the most part on your site Billynotes.ca. What is it like to have fans like that, that are so patient, and true fans of your music?

Billy: Oh, it is the truth. They have watched me well, ok, I do not thing I have had that many bad shows.  But they have been there and supported me when I did have them. They are REALLY supportive. Dawson Creek. The whole right side of my ear was infected, it was plugged, my throat was gone, I was sick.  I do not know what to do when I get sick.  I get all scared and don’t go see the doctor. I just got a bunch of Dristan, and Buckley’s and started mixing it all together, by the bottle.  And it was New Years. I was just out of it on stage, that stuff just makes you dizzy. I had to get through it, and I could not hit any of the notes I was trying to reach. I had a mickey of vodka, trying to make it work…

Darrin: What? Vodka and Buckley’s? That is just…..just fugly!!!

Billy: I just did not even know who I was. Basically shot for shot a third Buckleys. It was something to behold man. The other show was with the new group, with Benny. We played just some tracks.  Benny started out on the wrong beat. We were playing guitars in the wrong part of the song.  Benny was singing harmonies, like a bar ahead. **laughs** Drum fills were like a bar ahead of what we were doing. That was probably the worst gig I ever had. It was sure…..fun.

Darrin: I recently talked to a bunch of your fans, and let them have a chance to ask you a couple of questions.  I thought “Now who could have a better question or two than these guys?”

Billy: Oh man, that's cool!

First Question: Do you have any information on Wretched Thing being released as a single for radio?  If so, do you know when this may happen?

Billy: Well, their information is as good as mine right now. I will be back in Toronto in a bit, and we are going to discuss which single is going to be next. We spoke about Wretched Thing a little while back, and Going Under is still doing well, and it keeps getting adds and adds and adds across Canada.  Although some places have been playing it for about 5 months, they are still playing it. The fact of the matter is, they want to make a very large landing pad for the next single to land on..I believe sometime in February, we will see the release of the next single.

Second Question: You are going to tour to support the album in 2007.  Is there talk of hitting every province in Canada? Will you be going from the Maritimes to BC?

Billy: I really hope I will not miss any places. It depends on how the shows land out there. You can not travel to Nunavut for a $200 show. For the most part, my hope is to land on another tour.  I just finished touring through Ontario with Edwin,.that was great. I think I should be hitting all of the provinces. My new manager is a great guy, he is all about getting me playing as many shows as possible. And he is in to me doing shows with the band. Last record I did a lot of shows acoustically by myself. Then you can afford to travel around to anywhere.  I would not mind doing a combo of those 2 types of show, my heart is in getting a band to work this project. Last record, it was not too bad to play the tunes acoustically.  The new album is a lot harder, and it is hard to belt songs out, when you are singing 4 times louder than what your guitar can put out.

Darrin: Well, maybe you can make it out to Vancouver

Billy: I would love to.  The last time I was there, I was on the Vicki Gaberau show when it was still running. Soul Decision is a Vancouver band right?

Darrin: I believe it is!

Billy: Tino Zolfo, from my band will make sure that we get out there.  I think we are playing on Z95 there, and in Victoria, and Kelowna. I have some good coverage out there.

Darrin: Well that means you will have to get your butt out here.

Billy: I have to tell ya, it would be harder to find a nicer looking city than Vancouver to come visit. It is really nice when it is not raining.  Didn’t you guys just get hit with a bunch of torrential weather?

Darrin: Yeah.  Snowstorms, and massive windstorms. Nasty stuff.  But it is all over now.

Billy: It was a really gorgeous place. I stayed in a really nice hotel and had a whole day.  I was lonely though. I was there all by myself. I had a pile of drinks though.  I had fun. What a beautiful place.

Darrin: Speaking of Wretched Thing, where did that song come from lyrically.  It is probably one of the most powerfully written break up songs I have heard in a long time.

Billy: Well, it came from a girl that I had been going out with for like three years. When I was talking about all the hills and valleys, and when all the money finally ran out, I asked her to pay rent once, and it was almost over right then. It was nice to have a princess, when I was a king. But when times get rough.  There was more to it than that, there always is. We just weren’t meant for each other. I do not harvest any hard feelings for her, now, after I wrote a song about her like that…It was a good way to get it all out.  Most of them are to do with this relationship. You draw from the experiences you have, and of course love is one that is crushing.

The first album I was in love.  Now the new album, it is all about not being in love. It is like being on the opposite side of the scope of the same person.  It served the purpose.  Wretched Thing let me get all the emotions out to the surface, Matt and I had both lost our girlfriends. His of 8 years, and mine of 3. So when we were recording the album, we essentially just sat there and counseled each other. A good tune, and a highlight of the CD I think.

Darrin: Are you still living in Toronto, or do you keep a place in Calgary these days?  Flames or Leafs?

Billy: Toronto is where my manager, my label, my distributor, my account and everything associated with my music career is. It is difficult to get over here to Calgary all the time. I sure do love it here.

Darrin: Do you keep a place in Calgary?

Billy: I actually stay at my Pa’s place. It is dynamite! And the rent is low! **laughs**
As for the Leafs and Flames…that is an easy one. I was born and raised in Calgary, and we have a team that actually might win!

Darrin: So you are not becoming a traitor then!! **laughs**

Billy: You know, they have always paid the most for their players out of everyone in the league (Toronto), the place is always packed, die hard Leafs fans everywhere, and the team just can not advance far into the playoffs. Calgary could put together a team for half the money literally, care about hockey and go out and pretty well win a cup.

When the Flames got really close 2 years ago, I just jumped right on to the wagon. It sucks that I was in Toronto, because that is my team!! They have the Red Mile, where they knock out 7 blocks, put up huge screens, invite everyone in and have a huge party. People really get behind the Flames here. For the longest time, they couldn’t but now they can. They have turned the team around with the players they have brought in. Kiprusoff who is great, but do you think he can stop a shoot out shot?  Not a chance.

Darrin: That is why we have Roberto Luongo over here!!!! **laughs**

Billy: You know, I just do not think he has stopped one this season. It’s brutal. **laughing** anyways, that’s hockey!! I think given the chance my little nephew Jeffrey could score on him in a shootout.  He’s 8.

Darrin: What else is up for 2007?  Some more writing?  Do you currently have any new material on the go?

Billy: In the very near feature, I am heading to the Independent Awards. I am up for pop record of the year, even though I think it is a Rock record, up against the Barenaked Ladies, and if I can win that thing, that will open up a lot of different doors for me. But for now, the main idea is to get out and play some shows. Just get that live show to be something grandchildren will tell their grandchildren about.

Darrin: Well you have definitely hung in there longer than most musicians do!

Billy: Well, out of the first year Idol contestants, I can honestly say I think I am doing the best!

Darrin: I still think you should have held out for the Rockstar show.

Billy: Well, if I had KNOWN about a Rockstar show…as I said, my sister waited in line for me, so I blame all my short comings on her **laughs** But I love her to death and I am just kidding Heather.

Darrin: Billy this was awesome.  I will look forward to you hitting Vancouver. 

Billy: Right on!! Have a good one!