An Interview with Russel Kitchin

The new single from Russel Kitchin brings out a very lush and full-bodied country tonality with amazing instrumentation that lets the song really Thrive, but the whole thing also comes with a massive amount of character, and that is a huge aspect of why you get so attached to the song in the first place.

"Scars" is beautifully built with some outstanding guitar work, classic country twang on those tones, lap steel, and live percussion, along with plenty more. This is a song that feels alive and breathing. It has a very particular way of putting you right there in the moment with the music, and I absolutely loved this because you don't get it often, so when it comes along, it's pretty refreshing.

Russel's vocals are robust, and this is also a true classic and almost vintage country approach. He thinks this way naturally, but it is appealing to those who love the classic country style. I definitely felt like this is a song that showcased a lot of new and old country influences and how he was able to put those together to sort of create his own thing.

This is a true country single, and not only does it give you this lively and gorgeous instrumentation and tonality completely true to the genre, but it also gives a lot of honesty as well.

As I mentioned at the start, this has a lot of character to it, and the reason for that is because of how honest the lyrics come across.

This is a song that actually relates to just about all of us. It's a song about how we may have scars, but that's part of who we are. The scars show us, and let us remember that the person we are today is built from the experiences that life has given us.

That may be good or bad. For most, it's both. The point is that our scars let us understand and remember that life throws a lot at us and we're still standing, so that's an important thing to comprehend and understand.

In that sense, it's a very welcoming song and the warm tonality of the track only pushes that even further.

For me, the way Russel articulates the lyrics is really what lets it connect the way that it did.

Obviously, I did indeed connect with the track and felt like it was a song that was almost universal. It's a single that can be meant for anyone.

The track features both layers of gorgeous acoustic guitar and those robust and deep vocals; the live drumming is just outstanding, giving the song a little bit more drive and also letting it hit with some more depth.

There are a lot of layers to this track. It is texturally gorgeous, and I love the way that Russel's vocal tone mixes with all that instrumentation.

There's just something about it that feels good.

It's not often you come across a classic country style track that has so much authenticity and obviously comes from some real place, but this is a big exception.

Upon listening to this track, it took a bit of a deep dive into some of Russel's previous releases and came across an album from 2023 called Wherever You Are.

This was also a really well-built album release that showcases other sides to his personality along with his artistry.

It was easy to get in golf by this record and will definitely be held high for true fans of the genre.

I would suggest starting with "Scars", as you can hear a bit of an evolution in his songwriting approach as well as the production side of things. The album from 2023 has excellent production, but you can hear a bigger, more robust kind of mix on the new single.

This is definitely an artist who has a true love for his craft and his genre and seems to give pieces of himself in his music.

There's not much more you can ask for out of a good country artist.

After I heard the single a few times, I realized I wanted to reach out and ask Russel a few questions about it.

I wanted to find out where this actually came from for him, along with what might be coming up next for the artist.

So, while you listen to this single, have a read through of our interview with Russell below.

Remember where you heard this first.

Buzz Slayers: Let's talk about "Scars"! This song had a classic Country tonality and honesty to it!  Where did this track come from?

From a guys comment at the end of a show - asking why my guitar, a bit battered and showing the scars of years of gigging, hadn’t been replaced with a new and pristine one for stage. Not an aggressive comment in any way, just not understanding that the marks mean something - the 'medals' of a gigging musician. It set me thinking about why we should be proud of our "scars" - proud of what we’ve been able to achieve, big or small, and how we’ve all managed to make our way in life through our own difficulties and in our own way. Sometimes people in every day walks of life do amazing things just to get through the day. Often not noticed, or taken for granted by others, often overlooked. folk dont appreciate how well they've done, and should. I’m saying be proud of that - be proud of yourself and what you’ve done. be proud of your scars, they tell your life’s story, and it’s your own.

Buzz Slayers: I'm hearing a few different approaches to this release! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

There are many - in country, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Brad Paisley, Brooks and Dunn, AJ, George Strait. Modern era Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Dierks Bentley but many others. I love watching and listening too to the older "reunion" music of the 60's - 8o's. There are so many great songs throughout Country's long history. But I also love rock and blues, and so often there'll be a nod to Joe Bonamassa, Angus Young, Clapton, Knopfler, even EVH (if it can still pull it off!). I also watch a lot of the Nashville session players on YouTube and still aspire to play just half as good as they do!

Buzz Slayers: Did you record this at a home setup, or at a big studio?

All the demos were recorded in my home studio, but the songs were recorded at Mu Studios in Sheffield with my mentor and friend Martin G Smith on production (and some of the instruments!) I was really lucy to get the fiddle and steel recorded in Nashville by Eamon McLaughlin and Eddie Lang (both of the Grand Ole Opry house band roster). On that note - I still love watching the Opry - another big influence!

Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as an artist?

Spent many years as a guitarist and sideman on the pub and club circuit in Sheffield, and over 20 years on the country circuit all over the UK from the very top of Scotland to the south coast of Devon.  I still front a cover band on that circuit - Badlands Country - it’s still fun to do. But as I developed I felt I needed to start to find the confidence to share some of the music I was writing, and explore what in reality is a very different circus to the one I am more familiar with. My wife and daughters finally pushed me into sharing the music and putting it out.

Buzz Slayers: What inspires you to write songs, and do you usually start with guitar chords or lyrics?

Always with a couple of lines that are going to tell the tale or hint of a life experience or story, mine or someone I know. It may end up as an oblique reference but there must be a truth in the story. I rarely start with the chords, preferring to find a melody in lyrics first. Inspiration can come at any time, and so my phone and notebooks are full of odd words, lines melodies and references. I’m not particularly prolific, but steady.

Buzz Slayers: Are you performing live right now?

Yes - as a duo with my daughter, either pure acoustic, or with live lead guitars and vocals over drum/keys/bass backing tracks. Or with my covers band, where we play one or two of my songs but mainly popular covers. I am going to take the original material out next year with a full band and am applying to some UK festivals right now! Always with my daughter Heather onstage with me, but actually my whole family - my wife Paula and daughter Natalie are always involved and at every gig.

Buzz Slayers: Now that this is out, what's next for you?

I have 3 more singles lined up and ready to go, and am recording again through December Jan and Feb, ready to launch a new album, with a live show sometime in March 2026.

Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?

Zack Topp, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Marty Stuart, Bailey Zimmerman, Dann Huff, Shiraz Lane (Scandinavian rock band who are ace) Ghost, Ainsley Lister and many others!

Buzz Slayers: What would you tell people they can expect on this release?

a positive message, be proud of who you are - wrapped up in what I hope is a singable, honest anthem, and made with much care and love.

Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?

I’m amazed at how well received my original music has been, and just how its slowly reaching out to more people. I appreciate their time and attention, and for giving me a listen. I have so much more to share and would love for them to stay along for the ride. I am grateful and somewhat humbled by it. Thank you!

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