Devil's Gate Music
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Jeremiah Christian and Noah McKinley Smith, aka Jeremiah McKinley, are two brothers from North Carolina playing Americana music with a real kick of rock and roll. Jeremiah talks us through the background of the band…
What are the origins of the band, how long have you been playing together?
We are brothers Jeremiah Christian and Noah McKinley Smith. Growing up we were very involved in organized sports, both playing football in high school and college. It wasn’t until I (Jeremiah) finished school that turned to music. I had always wanted to learn guitar and one day I just hopped online and bought one. My brother had guitar lessons when he was in middle school, so he helped me learn some chords. I may have been all of five minutes into playing before I started writing my own songs. As the months went on we both played and sent each other what we were learning or writing, For our sisters birthday we got tickets to see The Head and The Heart at the Ritz in Raleigh, and as we got back in the car to drive home, we went from zero to sixty and Jeremiah McKinley was born. We have been making music for almost five years now, and we’re not planning on stopping.
How did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?!
I was a little anxious to play our first show. I had never played or any in front of anyone, and wasn’t sure if I would get stage fright or forget all the words. I am terrible at forgetting words anytime we rehearse, but as I strummed the first chord I felt at home. I’ve found that I am always on my game once the pressure is on. We’ve always been entertainers around the household doing anything to get a laugh, but this is a different feeling. You are really showing people a vulnerable side of yourself and hoping that they dig it. I cannot imagine wanting to do anything but write songs and play them for people.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe yourself?
They can expect something homemade. Just two guys with guitars and a suitcase kick drum. We tell folk stories with a blues-rock sound. I like to call us dirty folk. We bring a lot of energy and people can expect to be hopping up and down when we start playing. I have a very raspy blues vocal, and my brother brings all the exciting guitar licks.
The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
I’m not really sure, I think that is something we are still trying to figure out. I will say I think that it is important to stay true to yourself, and not try to be something you aren’t. I think people really pick up on when you aren’t being authentic or putting on something. Our approach is just to write songs we love and hope that they connect with people.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
We just had two new singles drop in the last month. The first is a bluesy riffing song called Sing For My Supper, about a man doing a song and dance to impress a girl. The second is Same Old Heart, a breakup ballad of a man who watches a loved one spiraling into addiction. His heart breaks as there is nothing he can do to help or save them. Both are out everywhere you can stream, and later this year we have another single coming out called It Ain’t Easy.
What band out there at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
I think we would pair well with Caamp, or Mt. Joy.
What are your first musical memories?
Some of my first musical memories are watching my dad play drums in a band when I was younger. He would work on getting better watching these Carter Beauford VHS tapes on drumming. Since we’ve started this band we’ve had our pops break the drum set back out and he records all the drums on our songs.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
It was actually The Head and The Heart concert that started our band. Declan McKenna opened for them and we were blown away by their performances. The Head and The Heart actually blew out the speakers in the first song and finished it singing with the crowd until they got it fixed. That was really the moment when we thought we have to do this.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Well, I don’t know if it is a surprise to anyone that knows me, but it is probably Back to Black by Amy Winehouse. She’s one of the reasons I even decided to start singing. She has such power and I find myself hanging on every word. I really found my voice by listening to her, and her music is a staple in my everyday listening.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
We are very active on Instagram, and you can check us out there for news and upcoming dates.
