The Art Of Letting Go: Myles Kennedy On Maturing And Branching Out
Written by Cian Mortimer on 7th October 2024
Alter Bridge frontman Myles Kennedy spoke to Spark about maturing and branching out, both personally and in terms of his music. This comes in anticipation of his latest solo album The Art of Letting Go.
The Art of Letting Go sees Kennedy move in a new stylistic direction in several aspects compared to his previous two solo albums. It is a record which sees him take a step away from the bluesy and acoustic-based styles which he has worked with a lot on past solo records, towards a more straight-out rock n’ roll vibe.
Kennedy said: “The first two records were different. Year of the Tiger was an acoustic based record and it was very personal. It was a complete story of the things I went through as a kid losing my father. Eyes of March is more of an Americana, but it still had elements of acoustic, country at times and southern rock. That one kind of dove into everything that was happening with the state of the world in 2020/2021. This record is a rock n’ roll record. What I like to say is it’s a rock n’ roll record, and we try to lean more on the roll side than just the rock side. Have it have a certain groove and have a certain pocket.”
Kennedy’s latest solo record is one which carries a lot of personal significance for the Boston-born musician.
“The art of letting go, for me, represents really where I’m at in life and the art of being non-reactive and not being as attached to the outcome of things has become a very important part of the equation. As far as what I’ve learned to let go of, I think any form of expectations and just I try to stay present and try to be as grateful as I can. Gratitude is the attitude at this point in life.”
The cover art for The Art of Letting Go plays off an interesting Octopus tattoo that Kennedy has. This tattoo holds a very special meaning for Kennedy that really gets to the heart of what The Art of Letting Go is all about.
“I’ve been obsessed with Octopi for a long time, I think since I discovered how intelligent they are, and there’s just something about the way they some had the ability to kind of morph and get through these tiny crevices. They could adapt and I felt that in some ways having that octopus and the term the art of letting go is that ability to adapt.”
Kennedy has been around the music industry for decades now. He has featured in a number of bands, most famously Alter Bridge. Fans of the WWE will recognise Kennedy from Alter Bridge’s Metalingus which served as the theme song for superstar Edge. Kennedy is also renowned for his collaboration with other high-profile artists, most notably Slash of Guns & Roses fame.
The Alter Bridge frontman will bring his latest tour to the UK in November. Kennedy will be supported on this tour by Devin Townsend, who he described as a “rare talent”. As he embarks on his new rock n’ roll venture, fans of Kennedy can expect to hear his live show “turned up to 11”.
Kennedy said: “What I enjoy in this realm, playing with a solo band, is the improvisational aspect. I tend to go off on really long guitar solos and change things up. I really lean more into the improvisational side of things, which is where I kind of came up the ranks as a young artist. I love getting back to step, back into that world. Seeing what happens every night and making it special for the people who show up, like the solo he plays on this one part of the song he might never play again.”
The Art of Letting Go will be available on streaming services October 11th.