As part of the 2nd awarding of CMA’s KixStart class alongside Kylie Morgan and Angie K, we were eagerly anticipating the first UK appearance of Everette back in March 2020, alas we all know what happened to the world back then. Two years later at Country to Country in 2022, Brent Rupard and Anthony Olympia more than made up for lost time where they instantly became an act that caught the eye of the UK audience.
Following on from their first shows on these shores, the duo swiftly returned to the British Isles less than six months after their debut performances to perform at The Long Road Festival along with joining Sara Evans on her UK tour. The anticipated Side B of Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot is coming on October 7th which amongst other things the guys filled us in on when we caught up with them at the festival.
It’s so good to see you both again and great to have you back so quickly after you last came over. “It feels like we never left, ha-ha” (A)
That always seems to be the thing that people say about how there is always a lot of effort to get over here in the first place but as soon as you get here that you’re on the phone and looking at trying to come back straight away, what that definitely the case after C2C? “Very much so. We were itching, well every inch of us was itching to come back.” (B) Have you found the difference with here and at C2C that it feels very different to playing festivals back home both in terms of playing them and also how you can experience a bit more of what of the whole event? “Yeah, I have noticed and felt that. I mean everybody is so polite around here, even the way that you all ask us for a photo is a little different. Not that it’s bad in the States, it’s just different. We love the people here, it feels like home, well not literally because we’re from Kentucky but homey I guess I should say.” (B) “We’ve heard several people like walking around saying, “I came here to find new music!” Those are our people and I love that, what a mentality to have!” (A)
You guys have quickly taken to the blueprint of what people say is how you makes things work over here with the coming early and looking to come often mentality. You were saying at the end of your set today how you want to come back again and keep coming back and it must be so great to like Anthony said how people are actively looking to find new music rather than just listening to what they are told to. “It feels great man, when we came over here for C2C, on the way to our first show when our manager was with us on that particular run, I said is there going to be anybody there? Are people going to show up? He said there will be people there and we had no idea, then we played our first show and saw so many people singing along to songs like “Dang the Whiskey” and things like that where we both looked at each other on stage thinking what?” (B) “Today, we had people that had made their own t-shirts with lyrics to our songs and I about died when I saw that. I was glad that you caught that to (to Brent) because I was in my own world. It was “Dang the Whiskey” and “Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot” that they grabbed some lyrics, and I was floored by that.” (A)
That is the thing about people over here and it must really feel so great that it is not just “Gonna Be A Problem” or the songs that you have been pushing hard at home which people are drawn to. “They are listening to all of it, those are the kind of people that you want listening, I mean I want everybody listening to our music but it’s pretty sweet to experience that.” (A) People are going to get more to jump into as we have new music coming, don’t we? “Part of it is already out. Last night, we had two songs from Side B come out, so “Make Me Want One” and “Run” are out there, then the rest of the record will be out October 7th, which when we recorded Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot, we recorded all the songs together in one sitting that we all thought it might be a better move to split it up just so that we can give people little bites at a time, instead of the whole piece of pie.” (B)
As you had recorded it in one go, did you ever think that as you were waiting to bring out Side B and that you had wrote new tracks then gone into the studio to play around with stuff that some of the newer things could displace tracks on the second part of the EP? “You know, it’s wild because songs take on a life of their own. I feel like some of the songs on Side B are more poignant now than they were in 2020 like “Get By” for one. I was just watching the news this morning in London where you hear words like crisis, inflation and how difficult it is for the everyday human, regardless of whoever you are and there are songs like that, where I’m proud to have those songs on our record because we’re all sharing this experience together and I feel like that’s what our music is about.” (A) “We’ve written songs since the record was made and there have been a couple of tunes that I think man, I wish that was on Kings but at the same time, once you finish a record it kind of becomes like a tattoo or a stamp in time so, it’s been two years since we recorded this record and we’re just releasing Side B and I feel like I’m reliving it a little bit.” (B)
After playing here, you are about to jump on tour over here with Sara (Evans) where you will get to play the most beautiful venue on the planet for the London show! Union Chapel is absolutely stunning, you almost feel like you have to be repenting for all your sins as you walk in there, but you will love playing there so much. Going forward and looking towards next year, are you really hoping to be coming back her a lot? “You know, it’s funny that since C2C earlier this year and when we came back, we had already been talking to each of our wives saying you know, we might have to move here for a while. I was scared to even bring that up to my wife and she goes “Oh of course!” We have two boys and I think it would be such a great experience for them and I’m pretty sure you would probably feel the same?” (A) “I mean we want to go where people want to hear our music you know? If people are digging it, we want to show up and serve that audience with a live version!” (B)
Have you found that you are really enjoying the culture and everything over here? “It’s not that crazy different, I mean it is different, but it isn’t like a huge culture shock by any means, but I love, like I said earlier about how polite people are and I love the food here.” (B)
What specifically have you found on your two trips, well actually three trips over here? “Yes, we went to Scotland just before the world shut down but there’s just a …” (A) “EGGS! All of the eggs that I’ve had, and I know that sounds crazy but all the eggs that I’ve had have been fresh and bright orange eggs and, in the States, sometimes, eggs can be a little slimy.” (B) “I have thoroughly enjoyed the beer and I think having to walk everywhere helps or walk a good bit really helps because you kind of walk off one beer and have another then walk that one off then have another and so on. I mean I’ve been walking all day and I’m still drinking beer!” (A)
That’s exactly how I manage so it’s all good. Really appreciate your time as always and it’s been a great hang. You went down really well today, and you had a huge crowd, which I’m sure will be the case again tomorrow but like I say keep coming back and I think you’re already seeing that the effort is worth it.
“Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot Side: B” from Everette will be released on October 7th which is available for Pre-Save/Pre-Add HERE.