Ky McClinton and Matty D (Ky and I) Interview By: Niki Kaos

RRX: Your intrepid reporter, Niki Kaos, turned the interview format on its ear! Ky McClinton and Matty D, from the podcast Ky and I, hosted a roundtable interview. Like a songwriter’s circle, but with talking, not singing. Prince Reed produced the session, and we relaxed into the cozy atmosphere of Matty D’s Van Schaick Island studio space. Here’s an excerpt of our deep thoughts, but you can catch the full interview on Ky and I podcast episode 5.  

KM: It’s good to be back on the Ky and I podcast, it has been a few weeks. Niki, tell us a little bit about you?

NK: I’m a singer songwriter from Lansingburgh who grew up just over the river, and I’m passionate about original music. I’m excited about this resurgence of talent and venues after COVID. It’s an exciting time to be part of local music in the Capital Region. Like Jo’s Joint, which is one of my favorite newest venues in Troy. 

MD: I was just talking about this yesterday. I had it on a list of places I had to check out. 

NK: This is a favorite hidden gem in the Capital Region. Great food and friendly staff. No cover for the music, and one of the most beautiful back patios I’ve seen. Great to work with as a musician. I love it there. 

KM: I’m going to have to check that out!

MD: So that’s not too far from Matty Dub’s neighborhood?

NK: Not at all – an easy hop, skip and jump!

KM: Have you ever checked out 518 Craft at all?

NK: I do love 518 Craft – in fact, one of the things I like is that they have one of three painted public pianos you can play in Troy! 

MD: Oh! I did not know that!

NK: It’s super cool!

KM: You’ll see a whole bunch of random musicians over there. You don’t even know them. You don’t see them at open mic or karaoke. They just play the piano and play it well, and I’m like whoa!

NK: If you don’t have one at home but have one up the street… might as well go for it!

KM: Exactly!

NK: Matty, before we got started you entertained me with “Fly Me to the Moon” in the Tony Bennet style. I loved it! I had no idea you played piano!

MD: In the Tony Bennet “key”, which I wasn’t quite suited for today.

NK: I don’t know…I gotta say, you really hit it. You got right up there. As a singer, I know, it’s not always easy to get those notes, and jazz pieces will really school you. The intervals really tell you. And you’re playing piano at the same time, which is hard.

MD: I never used to. The whole playing instruments and singing is something new for me over the past two to three years.

NK: There is some cosmic kaka lately making it harder. I don’t know! It’s been a struggle for me! I get on stage and feel like a deer in headlights. 

KM: Like, stuck a little bit? You did have a post about this on Facebook recently. 

NK: Yeah. I think there’s two different camps around that. About how honest you want to be on stage versus playing through it. 

KM: When I do originals or covers on stage, I first think of the crowd and think – how would they react to this cover? Or how would they react to this original? If I do an original, I want to do one that makes them feel it as I do. You gotta read the crowd. I feel and play the song that suits them.

NK: You’re an amazing songwriter! Do you come up with your originals in the moment on stage?

KM: I don’t come up with them on stage. I have to sit on them at home. It usually takes a good while. I’ll start writing, and then I’ll just f**k around with something else. I don’t want to be overwhelmed when I write a song.

NK: You gotta be in the right mood? I can see from all the times I’ve seen you perform your music, whatever your process, your songs connect with the audience. I can say 100% if you get a chance to see this guy (Ky) or this guy (Matty) perform live – don’t miss it.

KM: It is the most important thing, I think – when you’re performing live, connecting with the audience.

NK: So, what do you do differently when you’re recording?

MD: Unlike you guys, I don’t have all these original songs. I’ve got a couple, and I feel like I haven’t really found that space, that motivation. And I don’t put that pressure on myself. I’m happy doing my covers.

NK: Right. There’s this whole debate in the Capital Region. Cover bands. Originals. Guess what folks-it’s the band that connects with their audience!

MD: Yes. Yes. Exactly. And Ky and I work together, and we’re on opposite ends of that (originals and covers). And it is about connecting with the audience. 

KM: Open mics sometimes once it comes to an original song, people will turn their backs. That’s why I love the fact that…

NK: Matt Warner and Jean Tansey at 344 2nd Street in Troy.

KM: Yes. Because they do original music over there. I think I might have to head over there. Did you see the video? They are literally sitting down, listening.

NK: We would be grateful to have you. It’s a great space for people who aren’t into the bar scene. A family friendly event with a potluck and a variety of beverages. Two feature acts at the start and end of the night. And six open mic slots between 6pm and 8pm that can be prescheduled. I love that we are cultivating a listening room. People are super quiet while the performance is happening. 

The other side, as we talked about, is playing an open mic in a crowded bar. You still have to connect with your audience. There are so many good local open mics to get your sea legs in this way. I thought no one was paying attention, and had people come up to me at the end of my set and tell me my song really connected with them. It is important to do both, I think.  

MD: Thanks for coming to my new open mic night at Table 41 in Cohoes. The first and third Mondays on Remsen St.

NK: I’m literally calling you the King of Cohoes! You’re taking over Remsen St. and Van Schaick Island. Your open mic was amazing fun. And I love your karaoke at Donnie Magoos on Fridays. The host with the most in Cohoes. And the music and food are cooking at Van Schaick Island Country Club’s restaurant. I hear you and Ky have music going on there at Max 410. It’s nice to see people doing the grassroots work that needs to get done to support our local venues!

RRX: Check out the Episode 5 Ky & I podcast for the full interview! Follow Ky McClinton and Matty D on social media to keep up with their musical adventures!  from the podcast Ky and I, hosted a roundtable interview. Like a songwriter’s circle, but with talking, not singing. Prince Reed produced the session, and we relaxed into the cozy atmosphere of Matty D’s Van Schaick Island studio space. Here’s an excerpt of our deep thoughts, but you can catch the full interview on Ky and I podcast episode 5.  

KM: It’s good to be back on the Ky and I podcast, it has been a few weeks. Niki, tell us a little bit about you?

NK: I’m a singer songwriter from Lansingburgh who grew up just over the river, and I’m passionate about original music. I’m excited about this resurgence of talent and venues after COVID. It’s an exciting time to be part of local music in the Capital Region. Like Jo’s Joint, which is one of my favorite newest venues in Troy. 

MD: I was just talking about this yesterday. I had it on a list of places I had to check out. 

NK: This is a favorite hidden gem in the Capital Region. Great food and friendly staff. No cover for the music, and one of the most beautiful back patios I’ve seen. Great to work with as a musician. I love it there. 

KM: I’m going to have to check that out!

MD: So that’s not too far from Matty Dub’s neighborhood?

NK: Not at all – an easy hop, skip and jump!

KM: Have you ever checked out 518 Craft at all?

NK: I do love 518 Craft – in fact, one of the things I like is that they have one of three painted public pianos you can play in Troy! 

MD: Oh! I did not know that!

NK: It’s super cool!

KM: You’ll see a whole bunch of random musicians over there. You don’t even know them. You don’t see them at open mic or karaoke. They just play the piano and play it well, and I’m like whoa!

NK: If you don’t have one at home but have one up the street… might as well go for it!

KM: Exactly!

NK: Matty, before we got started you entertained me with “Fly Me to the Moon” in the Tony Bennet style. I loved it! I had no idea you played piano!

MD: In the Tony Bennet “key”, which I wasn’t quite suited for today.

NK: I don’t know…I gotta say, you really hit it. You got right up there. As a singer, I know, it’s not always easy to get those notes, and jazz pieces will really school you. The intervals really tell you. And you’re playing piano at the same time, which is hard.

MD: I never used to. The whole playing instruments and singing is something new for me over the past two to three years.

NK: There is some cosmic kaka lately making it harder. I don’t know! It’s been a struggle for me! I get on stage and feel like a deer in headlights. 

KM: Like, stuck a little bit? You did have a post about this on Facebook recently. 

NK: Yeah. I think there’s two different camps around that. About how honest you want to be on stage versus playing through it. 

KM: When I do originals or covers on stage, I first think of the crowd and think – how would they react to this cover? Or how would they react to this original? If I do an original, I want to do one that makes them feel it as I do. You gotta read the crowd. I feel and play the song that suits them.

NK: You’re an amazing songwriter! Do you come up with your originals in the moment on stage?

KM: I don’t come up with them on stage. I have to sit on them at home. It usually takes a good while. I’ll start writing, and then I’ll just f**k around with something else. I don’t want to be overwhelmed when I write a song.

NK: You gotta be in the right mood? I can see from all the times I’ve seen you perform your music, whatever your process, your songs connect with the audience. I can say 100% if you get a chance to see this guy (Ky) or this guy (Matty) perform live – don’t miss it.

KM: It is the most important thing, I think – when you’re performing live, connecting with the audience.

NK: So, what do you do differently when you’re recording?

MD: Unlike you guys, I don’t have all these original songs. I’ve got a couple, and I feel like I haven’t really found that space, that motivation. And I don’t put that pressure on myself. I’m happy doing my covers.

NK: Right. There’s this whole debate in the Capital Region. Cover bands. Originals. Guess what folks-it’s the band that connects with their audience!

MD: Yes. Yes. Exactly. And Ky and I work together, and we’re on opposite ends of that (originals and covers). And it is about connecting with the audience. 

KM: Open mics sometimes once it comes to an original song, people will turn their backs. That’s why I love the fact that…

NK: Matt Warner and Jean Tansey at 344 2nd Street in Troy.

KM: Yes. Because they do original music over there. I think I might have to head over there. Did you see the video? They are literally sitting down, listening.

NK: We would be grateful to have you. It’s a great space for people who aren’t into the bar scene. A family friendly event with a potluck and a variety of beverages. Two feature acts at the start and end of the night. And six open mic slots between 6pm and 8pm that can be prescheduled. I love that we are cultivating a listening room. People are super quiet while the performance is happening. 

The other side, as we talked about, is playing an open mic in a crowded bar. You still have to connect with your audience. There are so many good local open mics to get your sea legs in this way. I thought no one was paying attention, and had people come up to me at the end of my set and tell me my song really connected with them. It is important to do both, I think.  

MD: Thanks for coming to my new open mic night at Table 41 in Cohoes. The first and third Mondays on Remsen St.

NK: I’m literally calling you the King of Cohoes! You’re taking over Remsen St. and Van Schaick Island. Your open mic was amazing fun. And I love your karaoke at Donnie Magoos on Fridays. The host with the most in Cohoes. And the music and food are cooking at Van Schaick Island Country Club’s restaurant. I hear you and Ky have music going on there at Max 410. It’s nice to see people doing the grassroots work that needs to get done to support our local venues!

RRX: Check out the Episode 5 Ky & I podcast for the full interview! Follow Ky McClinton and Matty D on social media to keep up with their musical adventures!