The Bacon Brothers, Kevin and Michael, will perform this weekend in three shows at The Birchmere that will include their new single "Play!" released June 28.
Many know Kevin from his work as an actor in film and TV; Michael is an Emmy-winning film and TV composer. But they started making music together when Kevin was just 12 years old, they told us this week.
The Bacon brothers describe their music as a mix of folk, rock, soul and country, and they have worked on nine albums together.
When discussing the new single, Kevin says, “I wrote Play! because I got real sick of hearing people talk about how much 'work' it takes to stay married. For us [his wife is actress Kyra Sedgwick] it’s not about work, it’s about Play! We heard it funky and the guys did a great job bringing that Bacon Brothers sparkle to the recording. We cut it at Hobo Sound just on the Jersey side of the Lincoln Tunnel.” An accompanying video for Play! directed by Kevin and Michael, was released July 8.
** Watch the video for Play! after our Q&A with Kevin and Michael. **
Their band features Michael on vocals, guitar and cello and Kevin on vocals, guitar and percussion — along with the band that’s been with them since the beginning: Paul Guzzone (bass, backing vocals), Joe Mennonna (keyboards, accordion), Tim Quick (lead guitar, mandolin and backing vocals) and Frank Vilardi (drums).
The Alexandria shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 19 - 21, and tickets are $45. The Birchmere is located at 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave. Find more information here about purchasing tickets.
The two recently answered a few questions from Alexandria Living Magazine:
When did you first start making music together, and how has the process evolved?
Kevin: "We started when I was about 12. I had song ideas in my head and I would sing them to Mike and he would shape it into a song."
Michael: "In a funny way it hasn’t changed that much — this is something we’ve always done together since the time Kevin started walking."
What do you enjoy most about being on the road?
Kevin: "Definitely the gig. Playing live. Connecting with the crowd. And working with the band to put on the best show possible."
Michael: "The best is when we play a really good show and have a little time to relax and hang out together after."
What are your strengths and weaknesses as performers on stage?
Kevin: "Mike has the ability to draw people in with his quiet understated songs and dry humor. My biggest weakness is staying in the moment and not analyzing how the show is going. If you start to do that, it's over."
Michael: "We’re both very different kinds of performers. Kevin is a natural and for me it’s learned behavior, but I think that most of the time the audience appreciates the things that we share together and the things that make us very different."
What was the first concert you ever attended?
Kevin: "Probably a Michael Bacon show!"
Michael: "It was a British invasion show starring the Dave Clark Five in Philly."
Do you have any rituals on the road?
Kevin: "A little warm-up in the green room. Go over some vocals."
Michael: "I guess the most annoying ritual is our singing warm-ups that are not really easy to listen to."
What's your brother's most annoying habit?
Kevin: "He often doesn't return texts."
Michael: "You never can tell when he’s on the phone or not."
What aspect of a city do you enjoy exploring?
Kevin: "I like a town I can walk in."
Michael: "No matter where I am, I just like to get a sense of what it’s like to live in that city or town."
If you're running or working or just relaxing, what songs are on your playlist?
Kevin: "I listen to a pretty wide variety of stuff, old and new."
Michael: "If I had to pick one I’d say Debussy."
Who had the biggest artistic influence on you when you were growing up?
Kevin: "I guess I'd say my mom because she saw that I was meant to be an actor and encouraged me to study, apprentice and perform."
Michael: "Definitely Pete Seeger."
What advice do you have for kids interested in creative careers?
Kevin: "Do something else. But if that kid is willing to say 'Screw you! I’m doing this!' then that’s the kid that should do it. But you’ve got to want it bad."
Michael: "Don’t have a back-up because if you do, you’ll take it."
