Brooklyn-Based Musician NOBLE KIN Discusses His Newest Release ‘Let The End Times Roll’ and More!

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Meet the Brooklyn-based alt. folk act, Noble Kin!  On November 9th, he released his latest album, “Let The End Times Roll.”

Noble Kin is the project of Keith Polasko, a songwriter and performer who splits his time between Brooklyn and the deep woods of Connecticut where he runs an online shop that specializes in vintage records and antique books. His new record, “Let The End Times Roll” provides curious glimpses into Polasko’s view of civilization as a cycle of violence and inequality couched in cryptic lyrics and incongruous classic rock grooves.

His latest single “Yesterdays Broadcast” is built soundly on its off-kilter and masterfully arranged guitars. Polasko manages to expertly keep the balance between rhythmically intriguing and emotionally engaging, while still having enough pop appeal to keep a more mainstream audience bobbing their heads. As the chorus opens up, we see the hopefulness of the soundscape combine with a sense of nostalgia to deliver a platform for Noble Kin’s message of perseverance in the face of difficult situations.

Here’s a couple of links to check the single out:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/noblekin/yesterdays-broadcast-1/s-nr1Oe

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/album/1WJq25wmvDRX5vuQfRAsz8?si=J5fM0BELSv2mJ5BN0-j1nw

Learn more about Noble Kin in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you now? Is there music playing in the background?

I’m waking up in my friend’s recording studio, getting ready to rehearse for a show. Got a Saint-Saens piano quintet going. You know, morning music.

Now that we are on the back end of the year, how do you think 2018 has treated you and your career? What has been one goal that you have had this year and how close are you to reaching it? Or did you already reach it?

Our goals were to finish up and release the new album and play some shows to back it up and so far that is all going great.

Growing up, how important was music to you? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

Music was constantly on in the car and at home. My dad was always bringing home boxes of used records to explore. My mom played piano and guitar. My brother played bass. I didn’t consciously decide to be a musician but kind of assumed it was just what everyone did.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

The amazing swing from pre-show stage terror to during-show sheer joy that happens every time is kind of crazy.

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live today?

It’s less about the town and more about the people. The way I remember it everyone in West Hartford seemed to naturally place a high value on music and performance. There was a pure encouragement to play going on there.

What did it feel like recently releasing your newest album, “Let The End Times Roll”? How did you celebrate the release of it? Can you recall what it was like hearing it all the way through for the first time?

It felt like a massive relief. I was really happy with the way it came out, which is weird because usually I am disappointed in any finished product I’m involved with. We are doing some shows in Brooklyn to celebrate.

While it’s difficult, can you pick out a few of your favorite tracks on this album? What was the inspiration for them? How did they come to be on this album?

My personal favorites are “Let the End Times Roll” and “Yesterday’s Broadcast.” They are presumably fun to listen to yet carry solemn warnings to not be ruined by self-doubt and to watch out for autocrats.

Since the beginning of music, people have turned to it for support and as an escape from their realities. How do you want your music received and appreciated?

An escape from reality is exactly how I would like it to be received. That would be a peak achievement.

What do you think of social media? What has been your experience so far using it to promote your music and interact with fans?

Hm. Has its ups and downs. Twitter has probably done more to degrade my brain than any other medium out there. Instagram is more my speed but seeing other people’s lives on display often makes me wonder if I should be getting out more.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

Certain songs by Carole King, Paul Simon, Robert Johnson, Tom Petty, and Elliott Smith are so concise and effective, listening to each piece is like taking a full-on writing course. Recently I’ve gotten into Margaret Glaspy. I’d love to work with her.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you and why?

A short-wave radio would be nice for a basically limitless choice of stations.

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

I don’t watch much TV these days but I’d be psyched if some baseball player used it for their pump-up walking to the plate music.

Do you have any tour dates you would like to tell our readers about? How will you be spending your winter?

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Our next show is at Pete’s Candy Store on December 18th. We’re playing an iHeartRadio session in January. And we’re scheduling more right now. For the winter we’ll keep doing shows and also finish writing and start recording the next release.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? I’d like to know more about how you want your music to be timeless?

If people like it, it’s up to them what they like about it. I have no interest in timelessness. That is realm of Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby. I’m not in that league.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

Just that if you happen to hear our music I hope it brings you some joy or reprieve from your daily troubles. If it doesn’t, I hope something else does.