An Interview with Wayne Kallis
It has been almost a decade since Wayne Kallis first started sharing his talent with us, a musical versatility that inspires many. And he just keeps getting better and better.
In addition to being a regular member of the Centrestage band, Wayne is currently busy writing and recording his own material. Read on to learn more about Wayne, a once very shy kid lured out of his shell by music.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up and went to school in Uitenhage. We moved to Port Elizabeth when I was 16.
How old were you when you developed an interest in music/playing music?
I started piano lessons when I was about 6 or 7, but it wasn’t something I was particularly interested in, although I did enjoy it. I also had some guitar lessons when I was 11 or 12 but again, I was more interested in playing Mario Brothers at the time. When I was 15, I raided my brother’s stash of cassettes and found some Pearl Jam and Nirvana albums which appealed to me. Then I saw an Iron Maiden video on GMSA (Iron Maiden were touring the country that year) and I was completely hooked! There was also a girl I wanted to impress but I don’t think she ever even heard me play, haha.
Which instruments do you play?
I can still play a tiny bit of piano and I love playing the drums. Whether or not anybody loves hearing me play the drums is completely debatable, although I have been assured it’s a sight to behold. My primary interest has always been my voice and the guitar.
What was your first instrument?
We had a fantastic old upright piano when I grew up. I wish I knew where that thing was now!
What was the very first song you learnt to play?
I think the first time I sat and learnt a piece of music as a song and not just some disembodied chords was probably Richard Marx’s ‘Right Here Waiting.’ So Romantic 😉
Is your family musical?
My older brother played the piano and guitar before I started, so I always had him as a reference. He went away for 2 years when I was 14 and it was while he was away that I started to develop an intense interest in music.
Which famous musicians do you admire and why?
I have always been drawn to musicians who show their passion and emotion in their music. Eddie Vedder was a major inspiration to me when I first heard and saw Pearl Jam – I could hardly believe the raw emotion and passion he exuded when he performed. That has always been my benchmark ever since… passion and sincerity.
Which famous musicians have you learned from?
Obviously Eddie Vedder. Freddie Mercury’s voice remains a force of nature to me. Brian May is also a genius. I love the Blues and musicians such as Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer teach me something new every time I listen them.
Is there any genre of music that you dislike?
When I was younger I could have rattled them off for you by the dozen. These days, genres are so blurred anyway that it’s hard to say where one stops and another starts. I have found myself liking songs from more and more obscure genres every day. I hate anything that feels fake and contrived. Also, I really hate Jazz 🙂
Did you have a music teacher to encourage you from the start?
No, I never really had a music teacher. My growing obsession with the music that I loved became the driving force. I used to record myself singing my favourite songs over and over (on our karaoke hi-fi) and cringing at how awful it was. Then I just kept on doing it until I got better. Or less awful, anyway.
What are your fondest musical memories?
I remember how when I was still in school we would whip out our guitars in the strangest of places and play. I remember feeling that somehow I had entwined music with my identity, and that was something that made me extremely happy. I was always a very shy kid and it was music that eventually lured me out my shell completely.
What was the first record that you purchased?
I went to CNA to buy Radiohead’s ‘The Bends’, but they didn’t have it, so I bought ‘What’s the Story Morning Glory’ by Oasis.
Tell me about your first ever public performance.
Myself and my older brother put a “band” together and played at a church talent show. We had no PA system except for the mic which piped through a set of speakers at the back of the hall and the guitar amps on stage. We played ‘Creep’ by Radiohead and Pearl Jam’s ‘Garden’. It must have been so awful!
How did it all start with Centrestage?
Centrestage was putting on a Beatles show in 2005 and somebody (I think it may have been Donovan Hattingh) tipped them off about me. Gary Hemmings and his assistant came to one of my pub gigs (at Old Grey on a Thursday night) and requested a Beatles song. I couldn’t have done it too badly because they asked for my details and phoned me soon after that. It was really only after the ABBA show (which was the first really big Centrestage production) that I became a more regular member of the band and the shows. I consider that step the next stage of my career and of my life.
Your most memorable Centrestage performance?
There are so many that it’s hard to choose. There have been goosebump-inducing moments like Queen’s ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ or ‘Bullet The Blue Sky’ in the U2 show which was a spectacular moment!
Your favourite Centrestage show?
Again, the Queen show stands out as a pinnacle. The U2 show was the first time I had ever led a huge show by myself and I loved every second of it. Of course, the Pearl Jam show is coming up soon, so ask me in two weeks!
How do you handle mistakes during a performance?
I hide them! If I can’t hide them then I do what everyone else is going to do and I laugh at them. Some of my most memorable moments on stage have been reacting to or being in the middle of a major bugger up!
Do you get nervous before a performance?
I do sometimes. Particularly if it’s a new show or if I am doing something that makes me feel a little vulnerable on stage.
What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?
Don’t fight it! Nervous energy is energy nonetheless. Harness it… focus it and it can become your best friend. I find when I am nervous I manage to stay mentally a step ahead of where I am. When I relax I make stupid fluffs.
What is your typical rehearsal schedule when you have a show coming up?
Waiiit…. Waiiiiit….. Waaaaaaaaiiiit… REHEARSEREHEASREREHEAAAAARSE. Show.
How do you balance your music with other obligations?
Sometimes with difficulty. Balance is very important and my natural reaction is to either let something pass me by or bury my head in the sand till it’s done. Luckily I have a wife who doesn’t mind laying down the law, and that helps a lot when I get it wrong!
Do you also teach music?
I have considered it, and I have been asked. I never have though.
Have you been asked for your autograph yet?
A few times! It always feels a little surreal and a lot silly.
Would you say you’re pretty much the same guy off stage as on?
Yes and no. I am far more outgoing on stage. That shy kid still creeps into his shell every now and then and the stage is a place to leave that behind. On and off stage I have exactly the same sense of humour and the same passion for the small pleasures in life and I tend to feel things rather deeply.
When composing your own songs, do you find it easier to write the lyrics or the music? Where does your inspiration come from?
I find music will sometimes flow. Lyrics can be tough. I don’t consider myself a natural lyricist and I will generally dig deep to find what I want to say and how I want to say it. Often the lyrics will come from a feeling or a scenario which I will then expand on.. mostly from the viewpoint of someone involved. There is inspiration for songs in everything…. Anything that makes your mind sit up and take notice. It takes work to turn that inspiration into something real though. I love that process… it is perhaps the most fulfilling thing about being a musician. That moment when your concept becomes reality. It’s life changing.
What you like most/least about being a musician?
Everything has its pros and cons. I have walked a different path in my life so far, and for that I’m grateful. Things that other people take for granted don’t come as easily… like routine, stability. I think I have managed to balance that out quite well. I wouldn’t do it differently.
How hard do you push yourself?
Like I said, I tend to either immerse myself or feel completely separated from things. When it comes to music, I tend to bury myself deep to the point where the rest of life becomes secondary. It is not always easy to manage. I am by no means a perfectionist but I do feel that if I let myself – or anyone who is depending on me – down, it is only my fault and I can tend to be very hard on myself in that regard. I try to do whatever it takes to never let that happen.
When not entertaining others, how do you like to spend your time?
I generally relax. I enjoy small things like a fire in the evening, watching a rugby match or even just popping some music on and listening. Also, I have a playstation which is a demanding mistress. Haha. Seriously though, I like to read and acquire knowledge and I enjoy finding ways to broaden my horizons.
Solo career plans. What’s next?
My immediate plans are to continue writing and recording until I have an album to share. It has been a goal of mine since before I ever took to the stage. I would love to get another track onto the radio.
In the meantime, I will just keep shoving my music down peoples’ throats on social media 😉
Well we don’t mind at all, the new songs are sounding fantastic! Check out Wayne’s latest track, ‘Stay’ – you’re going to love it… https://soundcloud.com/wayneok/wayne-kallis-stay.