The Obelisk Questionnaire: Keenan Kinnear of Acid Magus
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Keenan Kinnear of Acid Magus
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I am assuming this question is aimed at my music, right? In that case, I would define what I do as bringing life to the incessant melodies and riffs meandering through my mind 24/7. If the question is aimed at what I do for a living, then the answer would be: Accountant.
I came to be an accountant because where I come from, university degrees and lifeless corporate placements are valued far more than the arts. At least as far as ‘successful career’ choices go. I was dead set on studying English Literature and Journalism when I matriculated (graduated from High School) but the world had other plans for me. Be that as it may, it is what it is and here I am, wracked by debt and anxiety, living the dream some might say. Brutal.
Enter music. My soul’s saviour!! After borrowing a drum kit at age 15 and basically giving my neighbours a daily crash course in the ‘Grohl method’ encompassing the entire Nirvana discography the bug bit and I was sold down a road of countless gear purchases, trial and error, and most importantly, the number 42.
Soon after drums, I picked up the guitar, then messed around with keyboards and other instruments. No formal training ever, just the dire and unending need to melt faces! The eureka moment came when I discovered audio interfaces, DAWs and mixing. This was the turning point in me taking my music seriously and working towards recording ‘the good shit’. After many years of even more trial and error in that area of the game, I find myself here, still wracked by debt and anxiety, living the dream some might say. Brutal.
Describe your first musical memory.
Driving around in my mother’s old Fiat as a kid headbanging and singing to some choice cuts from bands like AC/DC, Fine Young Cannibals and (this one is cringe AF but is a super important memory for me so back off) Modern Talking. I actually bought that Modern Talking LP a couple years back. Sometimes I get in the mood for a little “Brother Louie” when a couple beers have gone in.
My mother influenced my life in every way, but most importantly, her taste in music is probably the reason I make the music I make right now.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Real talk. I’ve been skirting the local music scene for the last decade or so, either helping others out or attempting small projects myself to no avail etc. With Acid Magus, I put my mind to it and ended up releasing an album. That’s been a dream of mine for a long time, so I have to say that putting out my debut is my best musical memory to date. It is a personal achievement above all else and one that gives me immense joy.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
I am NOT a ‘covers’ guy, especially not when it comes to Acid Magus. Chris, our vocalist, regularly brings up the idea of covering some songs and it shakes me to the damn core every time! Chris, if you are reading this, NO!
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
Hopefully to Nirvana? Not the band of course, rather spiritual enlightenment. I mean, all the general ideas such as progression leads to growth and new, fresher art, etc. aside, music is a spiritual journey for me, it is the one thing that informs my awareness, it is the accelerator in my psyche. Every bar that awakes from within me and finds its place on a track on the DAW in front of me brings me closer to Nirvana. I’m not a Buddhist though… still just a boring accountant. Brutal.
How do you define success?
Society, and more specifically, ‘the haves’ have been telling us ‘have nots’ that success should be measured by relative happiness, not money and other material objects. I don’t know if it’s that simple. The best I can do is critically process the idea of success and for me personally, and I’m sure many other people out there too, money plays a big role man! Do I wish to be Jeff Bezos? No. Do I wish to have financial security? Yes. Will being a full-time musician get me that? Unlikely. We roll the dice every day, let’s rather focus on loving those we can count on with all that we are, the rest is moot.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Game of Thrones Season 8… god…
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
A human being. For the longest time becoming a father has been the furthest thing from my mind, while right now it’s pretty much all I can think about it. Holding thumbs… my wife is going to hate me for putting this out there haha but maybe putting the intention out there in the universe will work in our favour?
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
The promotion of critical thinking. We are dumbed down and placated by reality television and social media. Art should challenge convention and get people to ask questions of themselves, the universe and everything in between.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I am typing these answers out at the office, I am about to save and log off. I am very much looking forward to going home to my wife and cat. I guess it’s not that brutal after all…
https://www.facebook.com/acidmagus
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https://acidmagus.bandcamp.com/
http://mongrelrecords.com
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http://www.instagram.com/mongrel_records
Mark My Words… Acid Magus ARE Going Places… That Is All…
– Your Friendly Neighborhood CrAzY Old Man, Sargent Signals