From Big Sur to big solo albums Kevin Ream and Mark E. King talk recent LPs

Dynamic four-piece rock ‘n’ roll outfit From Big Sur has become a Lansing fixture over the years, thanks to a steady schedule of live gigs and well-crafted records. But the band members have been keeping busy beyond their From Big Sur duties. Kevin Ream (vocals, guitar) just released a new solo LP, “The Accident of Survival.” Late last year, keyboardist Mark E. King also debuted his first solo record. Read on to hear the stories behind both lone sonic ventures.   
 
Kevin Ream 
“The Accident of Survival” 
Listen at kevinream.bandcamp.com 
 

When did you start writing “The Accident of Survival,” and what inspired it?  
Kevin Ream: I’ve been working on these songs since my last album, “Hemlock,” was released in 2021. Lyrically, there are darker themes than usual. The loss of close friends and family, sleep and divorce — but there’s still plenty of light poking through the cracks.  

How is this album different from some of your past albums? 
My last album was very acoustic-singer-songwriter-driven. “The Accident” is a much louder, dirtier and darker LP.  I’m not sure if I’ve ever chained myself to an electric guitar as much as I did on this album.  

Where did you record the album? 
I recorded this album at my Cut and Run Studio, sneaking in sessions on the weekends before the kids got up and on weeknights after they went to bed. I ended up playing and singing everything on this one, just as a pet project to peck away at while writing new material with the From Big Sur guys.  

Since you played everything on the album, what instruments could you fit on the tracks? 
I played drums, bass, guitar, piano, synth, banjo, pedal steel and the all-important shakers. I couldn’t find a bagpipe. But this album is more of a guitar album. I built this massive guitar-pedal board for my studio that should achieve any sound I can imagine, and I wanted to explore as many textures as possible. In high school, I was a massive Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana fan. Those tones that Butch Vig mined have always haunted me, and I wanted to have some fun with them.  

Do you plan on playing a release show? 
These days, I prefer to just play with the From Big Sur guys, so I probably won’t have a release show. However, the guys are super supportive, and I’m sure we’ll crank out a tune or two from this one.   

Over the years, what bands have you been in?  
In the ‘90s, I was a member of the Roswells, based in Grand Rapids. Following the Roswells, I started a group called the Reams with my dad and his brothers — we had no choice.  The Floods in Kalamazoo followed that before escaping to Portland, Oregon, to form the Cut and Run. From Big Sur is my current and permanent family. We’ve had a great 14-year run so far, and we’re already recording what looks like a double album.  We haven’t done that yet, but we have the material.  

From Big Sur’s Mark King also released a solo LP not too long ago — just a coincidence?  
I can’t recommend his album enough.  They’re separated by nine months in release. That’s about as long as it took to make this album. It’s a very creative time in the FBS camp. As George Harrison said about the release of “All Things Must Pass,” “What am I supposed to do with all these songs?” I have to mention Wes (Tkaczyk) has a great album he’s written and is ready to record as well.  
 
 

Mark E. King 
“Seasons” 
Listen at markeking.bandcamp.com 

 
When did you start writing “Seasons,” and what inspired the theme of the LP? I see each song title has a month attached to it.    
Mark E. King: Many of the songs started as little progressions and jams at my house back in 2019. Once the pandemic hit and my band’s gigs dried out, I started making songs out of them, and slowly, the idea of the album came forward. The seasons have always influenced what I want to listen to and play, and it came out in my writing, so I thought it would be a good concept to run through the album.  

In summer, I really enjoy folk, bluegrass and classic rock. Fall tends to be an ‘80s and ‘90s alternative focus. Winter is more jazz- and prog-influenced. In spring, I move to more neo-psychedelic sounds, and it tends to be my most “modern” time. So, the writing on the album sort of follows these trends a bit. The cold months tend to produce minor keys, more electric instruments and a darker lyrical theme. The warmer months have more major keys; more acoustic, organic instruments; and a lighter lyrical theme. 

Who plays on the record?  
I play all instruments on eight of the songs. My From Big Sur bandmate Shawn Doolittle plays drums on three tunes, and Kevin Ream adds some lead slide guitar on two of them. My lovely wife, Lana, and dog, Riley, add vocals to “Best Friend,” which, as you may expect from the title, is about our dog. I recorded all the tracks in my basement studio and then sent them to Kevin, who produced them at his own Cut and Run Studio. His help in finishing up this album cannot be understated. 

Why did it take you so long to do a solo LP? 
I’m not a natural in the recording studio. I’ve always preferred rawer live performances. This comes from jamming in Grateful Dead-style cover bands in the past. It was difficult to settle down, shorten and tighten songs. I also didn’t have enough of my own recording equipment to make it work. So, during the pandemic, I finally bought some good drum and room mics and challenged myself to learn and play some drums to get this started.