Kelsie Kimberlin On the Making Of “Armageddon”
What was the creative process like for this particular "Armageddon?"
Thank you for the interview. Ukrainian President Zelensky urged artists at the Grammys to use their music to speak about Ukraine so I started writing many songs about the war. With “Armageddon,” I wanted to write a song that would reflect the horrors of the war while also being hopeful about Ukraine’s ability to win till final victory. So I was very cognizant that the lyrics should reflect both while the music should have tension. The orchestration was done by a famous Ukrainian composer named Yurii Shepeta, and the song was mixed by Grammy winner Liam Nolan and mastered by Grammy nominee Stuart Hawkes.
Can you talk about the recording and production process for "Armageddon?"
I spend a lot of time in the studio, at least two days per week and so we recorded the drums, bass, and guitars first, and I recorded a scratch vocal all here in the States. Then those tracks were sent to Kyiv to Yurii and he added the orchestration and then I recorded the vocal tracks again but I was not satisfied with them because they did not have enough intensity. So my dad, who produced the song, suggested that he sing an aggressive track underneath my vocal which was affected a bit during the mix process with a Decapitator plug-in, and then I re-sang my vocal once again to match that intensity and get what you hear now. And we added the deep-tuned down vocals in key spots to give it a sense of fear.
What has been one of your favorite memories along the path to making "Armageddon?"
Well, the making of the “Armageddon” video was harrowing because we filmed it during martial law, in military-restricted areas where the worst atrocities occurred around Kyiv. There were air raid sirens sounding all the time and attack drones and missiles were being shot down overhead. We had to get permission to film and the army was always close by. I am the only artist to be allowed to do this since the beginning of the war. It was very dangerous because we were filming in places that were bombed and everything was littered with debris, shrapnel, glass, spent ammo shells, and dust. It was also extremely emotional for me because I knew that families and children died right where we were filming and I saw so many personal belongings such as burned family photos, melted children’s toys, mangled swing sets, and broken plates from an interrupted dinner. I met victims who lost loved ones, and women and girls who were raped and tortured after their husbands and fathers were shot and left on the street. Many times, it was just too unbearable and I just lost it, but I had to focus on my work so I could bring these stories to the world with my music.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I have always loved music and my dad started taking me to concerts when I was just a toddler. I was in children’s choirs and then the church choir and always tagged along with my dad to the studio. So I always knew that music was my life. I was also brought up listening to the Beatles and saw how they used music to change the world so that’s what I want to do.
Can you recall a particular moment, artist, or experience that had a significant influence on your music?
As I noted above, I relate to music at a very deep level and I understand how it can both change and inspire people while also healing them in times of crisis. And the thing that defines such music is that it conveys emotion that is able to connect at a primal level. So I try to tap into that when I am writing music that I want to inspire. This is different from the music that I write to entertain. And the Beatles were able to do both so they have had a profound influence on my music. As far as particular moments, I can’t say that any one thing had that “ah ha” influence. I am influenced by everything I see and hear, whether it’s a bird chirping or a homeless child in the subway begging for money—I hear it all on the palate of a musical score just waiting to come to life in the form of a song.
