ION Indie Magazine ' s Gary Carota, recently sat down with one of the most popular unsigned touring bands in the southern US, the band KELEN HELLER. Band members, BRANDON MOORE and EFRUM FERGUSON gave us some GREAT answers about what the band ' s been up to, and what ' s in store for their fans in the near future. As a disclaimer from Efrum, I must say that NO WORDS WERE SPOKEN by Efrum Ferguson during this interview and all his answers were recorded on paper.
ION: For somebody out there, who doesn ' t know who Kelen Heller is, tell us where you ' re from, how long you guys have been together, and how it all started for Kelen Heller?
Brandon: Hi everyone! We are Kelen Heller from upstate Greenville, South Carolina. The group formed in 2009, so we are now entering our 7 th year as a band. Like most bands, it took a few years to find the identity of the group and also the right lineup. I was the last member to join in 2011, but we had all been friends and known each other for years. It was definitely easy for me personally to feel at home right away. I like to think of us as very motivated musicians who have always been serious about doing this for a career. Having a band with like-minded individuals who are driven, is always a tough gem to find. I feel like we have the total package.
ION: There ' s a lot of mystery around Efrum ' s mask and his silence. How did the whole mask " thing " get started, and is there some ' hidden ' meaning behind it?
Brandon: I love this question! I think different people react to it--AND him--in different ways. Some are scared, some are intrigued and curious, and some are confused. Those who don ' t know Efrum, might also consider it nothing more than a " gimmick ". I really think that is a shame, and they are missing the point. But, if they do meet him, most likely by the end of their encounter, they will be in tears from laughter and think differently. He is actually one of the nicest, down to earth and genuinely loving person you ' ll ever meet. Does he speak? Well, have you ever heard him talk? Personally, here is what his mask means to me: selflessness. In a business that is full of egos, Efrum only wants to remain incognito. I think that says a lot about his values and what is important to him. That was also the beauty of KISS in the 70 ' s and only added to their mystique. When people ask what he looks like, I know that they haven ' t really experienced him yet. After all, if you knew, wouldn ' t that ruin it for you?
Efrum: The most beautiful thing we can experience in life is the mysterious. Without mysteries, life would be very dull indeed, yes?
ION: After the release of two successful EP ' s, the last in 2013, which now contains all the bands hit songs, there were plans to tie it all together, and release a full-length album in the summer of 2016. Did that ever happen, because we can ' t find anything on it, or any place to buy it?
Brandon: Yes, those plans are now coming into fruition! Unfortunately, a couple events kept pushing the release back for us. Being unsigned, we do everything ourselves, so sometimes it takes a little longer than it would a signed band with financial backing. Thankfully, our fans have pre-ordered copies of the new album to help us fund the project. We also wanted to reward them with the best product and packaging possible. We definitely feel like we accomplished that, and that it will be worth the extra wait. A release date will be announced very soon! You should also sign up at www. kelenhellerofficial. com to be the first to get all the new album news.
ION: Looking back over the past 7 years, and all the shows and tours you ' ve played on, is there one in particular that stands out as your most memorable?
Brandon: For me, the one show would be opening for SEVENDUST. Anytime you can share the stage with that band and feel like you held your own, it ' s a good day, ha ha! My favorite tour would definitely be with the guys in SALIVA. Those guys had taken us under their wing and treated us like gold from day 1. I ' m happy to call them all friends.
ION: If you guys had the opportunity to play with any ONE band out there, who would it be and why?
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