Brandon: Hmmm, PAPA ROACH or SIXX: A. M. would be some good ones. I think we would be an excellent fit for either one of those tours.
ION: Describe your music and who does the writing, the music and riffs--or is it a collaborative effort by all the band members?
Efrum: Being somewhat of a riff-oriented band, it usually stems from a guitar riff. Once it ' s presented and all of us put our stamp on it, it begins to live and breathe. Everyone contributes and every copyright has all our names on it equally.
Brandon: Our music carries a positive, uplifting message. We want people to " feel something " when they listen to us. Come to our shows, and forget your problems and misfortunes for a little while. We promise, we will do our best to make you leave with a smile! Our songs, are a complete group effort. Everyone has something to contribute to the writing process, and in the end, it becomes the“ sound” of Kelen Heller. I think each of us are so unique, that if you take any one of those pieces away, it wouldn ' t be the same.
ION: I have heard several times you guys being labeled as the "# 1 touring band in the South ". I do know you spend a lot of time out on the road touring the country performing. Where have you found your biggest fan base and your most receptive fans?
Brandon: I love that title! We do travel as much as we can and play for as many people as possible. For us, we rely heavily on an underground " word of mouth " following. We believe this is the most important way to successfully reach new people. A LIVE Kelen Heller show is church for us! We now play so many different parts of the country and everyone has
Kelen Heller, pictured left to right: Brandon Moore, Ricky Shuler, C. Kevin Hall and Efrum Ferguson become like family to us. It doesn ' t matter if it is a big city or a small town in the middle of nowhere--we ' ll make friends. The Kelen Heller family is everywhere now. I remember at one time it was only in a 60-mile radius of our hometown in SC at best. Now, we are very proud to have extended that all over the US just by getting in our van, traveling, and playing our hearts out. It is also important that all those people that have connected through us and social media to also become friends. I think that is one of the most rewarding things we could ever accomplish.
ION: Are there any plans in the works to play any major festivals or tours in 2017?
Brandon: We would love to do the festival circuit! Those are so fun, and you get to hang out with so many great bands. We will definitely be touring in 2017 non-stop. It ' s going to be a very busy year for us promoting the new album.
ION: What ' s the driving force behind Kelen Heller and who and what influences your music?
Brandon: Our fans and each other. We love our fans, and are able to do this because of them. We try and make sure they know that every chance we get. We love them dearly!
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