A Big Yes and a Small No is an indie-pop band formed in 2006 out of the ashes of the “prodigiously talented” (Entertainment Weekly) Fat Mama by singer-songwriter and vibraphonist Kevin Kendrick.  A Big Yes and a small no’s core personnel features many notable players such as Joe Russo (Furthur, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead), Erik Deutsch (The Black Crowes, Charlie Hunter Trio), Jon Goldberger (Visitors, John Zorn’s Bagatelles), and this most recent recording features Andy Falco (The Infamous Stringdusters) and others. 

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Kevin (Kendrick) about the latest project, AI, dream collabs, and. more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

This AI thing is getting way out of control. I have students using ChatGPT to write death metal songs about country music…and country songs about being sad. You can feed some Ais a text prompt and create a Hollywood-quality short film. How do you feel about this new wave of technological innovation?

Sh-t scared, haha. But seriously, there ARE a ton of really cool, creative things you can do with AI. And my first issue is probably personal in that it feels like another whole INSTRUMENT to have to learn at a point in my career when I often don’t have the time. A lot of what I hate about the modern industry is that pumping out a firehose stream of PRETTY good stuff is much better for SEO and the algorithms than taking your time to perfect something. So if you’re using AI just to streamline mediocrity, I’m not with it. But I’m old enough to remember when drum machines, then sampling, and then auto-tune were seen as the death knell of “real” music. But look what guys like Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson did with drum machines; they created a whole new genre of music! And look at T-Pain—he didn’t use auto-tune because he couldn’t sing in tune; he can sing his a— off! Watch his Tiny Desk! He used it like an effect pedal. And the Dust Brothers didn’t lean on sampling when they made Paul’s Boutique because they couldn’t use real instruments—they used it to make a tonal tapestry that spanned decades for a sound you could NEVER create live. So I suspect the next generation of Cybotrons, Giorgio Moroders, and DJ Premiers are going to blow people’s minds. Deep down, I can’t wait to hear!

I know it’s hard…but what’s your favorite song and/or favorite artist of all time? If not favorite, in your top 3?

Gun to my head, Spiritualized is my favorite band of all time. One of the only bands I have seen more than a couple of times.  I saw them play Ladies and Gentleman we are Floating in Space straight throughat Radio City–including the sample of Elvis’ “I Can’t Help Falling In Love” that had been sued off the album and remained a big piece of “what if?” Spiritualized lore–and it was transcendental.  That said, Elliott Smith is my inspiration lyrically, as well as Aceyalone from Freestyle Fellowship, the greatest MC of all time who was undoubtedly a major influence on Kendrick Lamar.

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific or different with this project? What’s the back story?

Well, I’d been touring with Andy Falco (of the grammy award-winning Infamous Stringdusters), Andrew Altman (at the time in Railroad Earth) and David Butler (who plays in Guster), and we’d talked about me writing something and going into the studio together.  Being bluegrass guys, their process was a lot more organic than my usual production and electronics-heavy kind of thing, so I decided to do something really organic. We tracked live without using a click track which was NOT my usual style and I was pretty hesitant about it, but in the end the track really breathes and feels great, so I think they made the right call.

What drives you to create? What keeps you going, especially on the bad days?

I have been obsessed with music since as young as I can remember. My earliest memory is noodling on a little toy organ. There was never any doubt it was what I would do with my life. I love writing and recording songs. A good song feels almost like an invention. And it’s your picture of Dorian Gray.  No matter how old I get, I can go back to my earliest records where I am forever young. 🙂

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? 

God that’s a hard one.  But I’d have to say Eilliott Smith.  He just knew how to make a great record, front to back.  And I would just LOVE to see his process and talk about lyrics with him. It’s such a tragedy, losing him so young.  

Where is the best place to stay connected with you?

I’m most active on tikok @abigyesandasmallno, but follow me in IG @abigyesandasmallno as well!  Heck, you can email me if you want at kendrick.kevin@gmail.com!

I appreciate Your time. Want to say anything else before we sign off?

Thanks for your time as well! Add A Big Yes and a small no on Spotify! We’re releasing a bunch of singles in the coming months.  Find us on Friendster and Myspace hahaha.