KIND VILLAIN, founded by award-winning artist and performer Ev V Frederick, has released the official music video for their cover of the KHALID track “8TEEN,” from the R&B / Pop artist’s 2017 LP, American Teen. The track was produced and mixed by Paul Trust (Morgan Wallen / Starset) and features the band performing at a local arcade where some of the band played games as kids.

Ev states, “Being a huge Khalid fan, ‘8TEEN’ to me is a fun, insightful song about the joys of being young. I wonder if Khalid had ever imagined this song being a next-generation pop-rock anthem. I hope you enjoy Kind Villain’s interpretation of Khalid’s 8TEEN.”

Ignite Music Magazine Interview with Kind Villain

Completed by Ev V Frederick (Front man and Founder of Kind Villain)

Tell us a little bit about the band and how long you have been together for some of our readers that may not know about the band? 

I got the idea to form the new band in September of last year, and a month later I was signed by indie label Panacea Records. Kind Villain is a Next Generation Pop Rock band. I (Ev) am the front man, lead singer and bass player, I have two guitarists named John and Andrew, both play lead and rhythm guitar, and we have a female punk and funk drummer named Kat. We are all experienced touring and studio musicians.

2. What is new with the band?..New Album out? New Videos? 

Kind Villain just released a music video for our new song 8teen which is a reimagined Next Generation Pop Rock cover of the original by the pop artist Khalid.

3. With all this madness going on with the virus…What do you think the music scene will be like in the future…and how are you prepared to make your music heard if there will not be any concerts or festivals for the year of 2020? 

2020 was a year to write and create music, now that there is a light at the end of the tunnel live shows will be back soon. The meaning of full capacity may change, but we are almost back to normal. Music videos and recorded performances as well as interacting with fans online is a great way to communicate with your audience but nothing beats a live show, and I am happy that its almost time.

4. What got you into music and what is your earliest memory of when you told yourself…”THIS IS WHAT I WANT”? 

At 12 years old I attended a rock camp and fronted a band and that started it all 😊. After that I knew that being a performer on stage was what I needed to do.

5. Who was your first concert and what is your best memory? 

Green Day live was an amazing show and it helped me fall in love with the freedom and energy of punk. My first concert was Linkin Park, I have massive respect for Chester and Mike.

6. If you didn’t become a musician, what would you  be doing right now? 

I would probably be acting or performing in musical theatre, I just love performing.

7. On a scale of 1 to 2593, How good is your newest single compared to your last single? (my attempt at humor, but please still answer) 

They are both awesome songs. Throw the Radio, our prior release, was mysterious, theatrical, and dynamic. 8teen our new release is more punchy, fun, and upbeat. They are both good in their own ways, it just depends upon taste in music which one is better, however I am hopeful that fans will like and appreciate both. I am proud of both of them, and I cannot compare them because they each are unique in their own way.

8. What do you feel is the best song you have released to date and why? 

8teen was fun to create all around, from the music video, to recording and performing it live. Both Throw the Radio and 8teen are songs that I am proud of, but 8teen I feel is Kind Villain pushing itself to get better and better.

9. Do you think you can get any better as a musician/singer? And if so, How would you achieve that? 

There is always room to improve, as a singer I am happy with my range and power, but I’m always looking to push my voice on every new song. I would like to use more of my low range because that is something I have not used too much yet.

10. If you could give your fans one random fact about you that you think they should (or should “not” know) about you what would that be? 

I would tell them that I am a very social person, I love talking to people and I enjoy answering back fan messages and comments, because I am thankful to everyone who supports and listens to Kind Villain 😊. I am also a huge gamer, but I am not very good at it, if anyone wants to play and carry me on their team just contact me.

11. You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why? 

Lime Green because that is always the color I have pictured myself as. The lime color because I always try to be bright and upbeat when with others and green because I like to be natural and stay true to myself.

12. Who are you inspired by? 

Billie Joe Armstrong, Joan Jett, Brendon Urie, Prince, and Elvis. I love all types of music, but these are just a few.

13. What is an average day like on tour? and what about these days? 

An average day for a performance or recording session on the road for me is to get up early, take a moment to get into my best mindset, and then eat breakfast either at a local place or order food. Then, from there we take a few hours to look around the town and see if there is anything interesting and then I meet the band at the venue or studio, and we do our thing. Since Covid started we do not visit the areas around us as much, so I end up playing Mario Kart until its time 😊.

14. Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans? 

I respond to fans through social media and from private messages. I enjoy answering fans its one my favorite things to do. 😊

15. Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety? 

No, I don’t get nervous before shows, sometimes I wonder if I just don’t process what’s 

going on, but I am always confident and ready. I do get very excited before shows and that translates to the performances often.

16. Tell me about your favorite performance venues? 

I enjoy performing at large outside festivals and there is almost always a good vibe at these music festivals. When I first started performing, I loved to perform at the small intimate shows because of how personal they were, and the venues were so packed that it would get very rowdy and unpredictable, and I loved that. My favorite venue has to be the Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheater because it’s a venue that I grew up with and its in my back yard.

17. What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps? ‘

Be yourself and be free with your thinking. If you stay true to your ideals and styles and think out the box, you can create something real and unique to your personality. Embrace your faults and strengths and your uniqueness 😊.