KROWNS is an alternative rock band from Calgary, Canada.

Formed by brothers Kyle McKearney, Shade McKearney and Adam Casey, the band unveiled their first single “High While The World Ends” in 2018.

The Canadian band released their debut EP "Fake It” on January 18th, which includes their brand new single “Triumphant”.

Produced by Stephen Kozmeniuk aka Koz (Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar) and Todd Clark (Goo Goo Dolls, Lights, Phillip Phillips), the debut EP tells the stories of lead singer Kyle McKearney. Growing up in a broken home, the singer/songwriter expresses his experiences and feelings about that time in his life. Fusing elements of alternative rock, pop and hip-hop, the 6 track EP delivers a message of hope and acceptance for the younger generations.

“It doesn’t matter where or what you come from, you matter. We have to stand up for each other in the face of oppression and believe in ourselves. We are the people,” expresses McKearney.

“Fake It” is now available worldwide.

Introduce the band. Where are you from?

Hey....I’m Kyle from Calgary Alberta Canada, I sing and play guitar in Krowns. My younger brother, Shade plays bass, sampler and sings. Adam Casey plays drums and keyboard. Shade and I are originally from a small northern BC town called Fort St. John. Adam is originally from Red Deer AB.

What's your story?

This is a super long answer so I’ll give you the short of it. Shade and I grew up playing in bands together and met Adam in Calgary. The three of us were in a previous band together but I was always felt like I could write more honest and raw, tell my story through my songs kind of thing. I come from a scattered background of having to be creative and strong to survive on my own. If you listen to our new EP, Fake It we hope you’ll get the vibe of where we come from.

How would you define KROWNS?

KROWNS is the underdog that fights hard, doesn’t give up and comes out “Triumphant” we are an anti bullshit band. We break down barriers and don’t care if you’re rich or poor or black or brown or white. If you’re gay or bi, trans, straight, woman, man or in between. Not only do we accept you, we stand for you and rage against oppression and in-equality.

You've just released your debut EP "Fake It". What's the story behind this project?

The EP started as a collection of kind of.....confessional truths I had written down as an exercise to connect with my younger self. We pulled the essence of KROWNS from these memoirs along with many lyrics and song titles. Koz (producer) is a brilliant dude and he really made a sound for us. It’s all 60’s guitar, meletron, synths and bass mixed with hip hop beats and smooth vocal hooks that are filled with rebellious lyrics.

When did you start working on it? What is the first song you did for this EP?

We started working just over a year ago. The first thing we came up with was “Triumphant.” That was a good day.

What did you feel when writing these songs?

I felt many things. Excitement, release, I felt relevant as if this stuff could really speak to another youth and could give people a voice and maybe some answers or help they’ve been seeking. I guess I feel like there are so many possibilities with these songs and that’s an amazing feeling. It’s not just, “I think this one can do well at radio”, who cares. I wanna try and help effect consciousness.

You worked with producer Stephen Kozmeniuk, and Todd Clark on this project. How was it like to work with them?

Both super talented people. Brothers in a sense really. Same page as far as message and what we all stand for. There’s lots of great writers and producers out there so it really comes down to who they are as people. I was sharing really deep personal stuff with strangers but it never felt that way. It felt normal.

Could you tell us more about the song "TRIUMPHANT"? How did this song come about?

Ya, again from the stories I had written down. When you look at it, it looks like the odds have been against me, though I would never complain or think that myself. I’m a firm believer in loving the hand you’ve been dealt. But taking a step back and looking at it, definitely could be perceived that way. Koz said, “you’re Triumphant dude”, the song really went fast after we had that title.

Why did you name the EP "Fake It"?

"Fake It" was a title we pulled directly from my stories and was one of the heaviest. I remember leaving home at 14 and living with aunts and friends and basically moving every couple weeks. Never eating or sleeping properly, doing shit in classes as a result and trying to deal with the pressures of day to day teenage life while doing so. Our town was a hard place, lots of mean around there and I was easily hurt and was in a venerable state so I practiced in the mirror, feeling hurt but keeping a straight face. Feeling happy but keeping a straight face etc. What I was experiencing didn’t allow for me to feel like most of the other kids with more stable, “normal” situations so I had to fake it.

What can you tell us about the artwork? Who came up with the idea?

The artwork was a first try by Devin Wilson. He was brilliant and thoroughly understood what KROWNS is about. Looking closely at the cover, there’s some great imagery and conflict in it. We loved it instantly.

What lessons did you learn after finishing this EP?

I learned that it’s better to tell your truth and be your authentic self then to pander. Some say we are the universe looking in on itself and I think that our songs should be that of us.

Would you say this project was a form of therapy?

Yes. I find every project to be therapeutic. There’s moments of meditation, reflection, light bulbs, healing, battling.

What message do you want to convey through your music?

That it doesn’t matter where or what you come from, that you matter. That we have to stand up for each other in the face of oppression and believe in ourselves. We are the people.

What does music make you feel?

Just a lot of things. I don’t have the energy to get into it all.

As a band, what do you want to accomplish?

We wanna reach people on an international level and ride in a bus playing for 10’s of thousands every night. We wanna have success and make a shit ton of money so that we can take care of our families and friends.

What are your goals for 2019?

We’d like to get over and play the UK. Have a song do well, get on a big tour. Play in the US. We’re working to make these things happen.

In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?

I don’t know what it’s like everywhere in the world but I can tell you that technology has made the world that I know a better place. Awareness being the key. Awareness brings compassion and accountability. There are many things like our monetary system, banks, government, etc. that need to change overtime but I think enlightened consciousness, love, compassion and understanding are what can change things fast.

What's your purpose?

My purpose is to light a fire and give a voice to the oppressed youth that are feeling outcast, misunderstood and chastised for existing. To break down the barriers and show them that there’s no difference, only a lack of understanding and compassion.

Stream their debut EP here.

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