From battling the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic to recently achieving career milestones like a Bronze Brit Breakthrough award, The K’s are certainly ones to watch. Jenny Algieri sits down with Ryan Breslin to talk about the band’s journey, their recent accomplishments, and what lies ahead for The K’s.
The K’s have recently celebrated a major achievement- a Bronze Brit Breakthrough award. Ryan spoke of how the award came as a surprise when the label presented them with their first disc certification at the studio. Ryan described it as a ‘bucket list moment’ for the band, adding that they’re not far from the next silver accreditation. However, the road to milestones like this hasn’t been without its hurdles.
For instance, the Covid-19 pandemic was identified as a major challenge for the band, hitting just as the band was about to sign their first record deal. Ryan mentioned how ‘a lot of bands around our area just sort of folded’ and the difficulty of ‘remaining relevant’ during Covid. The band adapted to these challenges however, by releasing tracks during lockdown and maintaining engagement through social media to keep in touch with their fans.
Ryan also highlighted the challenges of ‘doing music for so long with minimal return at the start’, emphasising the intense dedication required to push through as a band. He noted that being in a band is a ’24 hours a day’ commitment and beyond just performing on stage. Despite these challenges, Ryan noted how these obstacles helped the band’s career fall into place, stating ‘we’re definitely in the right place now’.
Ryan spoke of The K’s biggest accomplishments as a band, revealing how just being able to release an album was a big deal for them. Their first album I Wonder If The World Knows was released April of last year and reached a high of no.3 on the UK charts. For Ryan, this was a surreal moment for the band. Ryan also spoke of their biggest accomplishments regarding live performances, highlighting playing at Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds as stand out moments in their career. Ryan reminisced on attending Leeds festival at 16 and saying, ‘I’ll play that stage one day’. Fulfilling that ambition years later in 2024, is a testament to both the band’s dedication and their journey.
The drive to constantly improve and develop is described as key to their motivation to push forward as a band, emphasising the importance of putting ‘110% into everything’ they do. Goal setting remains a crucial part of their forward momentum and currently, the band’s focus is on ‘expanding into new territories’- having recently performed in America, and wanting to conquer her once more. Reflecting on the payoff of their efforts, Ryan shared that all the hard work becomes worthwhile in moments like standing on stage, surrounded by a crowd singing their lyrics back to them- ‘that moment in time, that’s worth it’.
Ryan spoke of non-musical sources of inspiration- humorously, one being Sir Alex Ferguson who Ryan highlighted was a legendary figure for a band made up heavily of United fans (with the exception of Jamie, whose allegiance lies firmly with Newcastle). He went on to reflect on the influence of family such as his grandparents and how ‘just seeing how people have lived a life and have got good morals’ keeps him grounded and grateful, especially whilst on the road.
Ryan spoke of the difference between going from playing to massive crowds at Reading and Leeds to coming back to walk the small streets of Earlestown, where he grew up. For Ryan, returning home after these massive performances feels completely normal. He described the local community as an ‘extended family,’ emphasising the strong ties the band maintains to their roots and working-class upbringing- connections that, he says, ‘continue to keep them grounded’. ‘I don’t think it’ll ever change’, he states, adding: ‘If we did, I think our mum and dads would kick our heads in!’
Drawing from his hometown roots, Ryan emphasised the importance of grassroot venues ‘I think we’ve got to push to keep as many open as possible’. He underscored the crucial role that these venues play in launching small bands, adding ‘without that first pub, we wouldn’t be doing the big ones such as Roundhouse in London’.
The band’s Pretty on The Internet Tour is set to begin next week, kicking off in Belfast on April 15th. Ryan explained how ‘we believe we’re best when we’re on the stage, so we always put everything into our live shows.’ This time around, they’ve raised the bar even higher: ‘I think with this tour, we’ve gone all out with the lights, the production, all of it.’ Ryan revealed how the band are excited to embark on their tour, stating how they’ve even incorporated some exciting fan surprises, promising an unforgettable string of performances.
Words by Jenny Algieri
Photo Courtesy of Halestorm PR
The K’s ‘Pretty On The Internet’ Tour
15th April – Limelight 2, Belfast
16th April – Whelan’s, Dublin
18th April – Great Hall, Cardiff
25th April – Octagon Centre, Sheffield
26th April – Asylum, Hull University Union, Hull
8th May – Rock City, Nottingham
9th May – O2 Academy, Birmingham
10th May – O2 Academy, Leeds
13th May – Roundhouse, London
17th May – O2 Academy, Bristol
22nd May – O2 City Hall, Newcastle