What finally got me back playing again was the pain, frustration and disappointment from my first attempt at dating after transitioning, and all the songs we are playing were generated from that experience, says Kay Bear Koss

Stunt Lover started off with a different original lineup back in 2008, and soon was fortunate to be playing Fringe Festival, Life Festival, Electric Picnic and various venues in Ireland and in Europe.

Actually, the night we played Fringe Festival is archived on an old Youtube channel; I was in a pretty serious motorcycle accident earlier that day and while I was flying through the air was when I decided that, if I lived, I needed to transition. So I was pretty strung out on painkillers and whiskey that night.

Post-Transition

It took me a few years, even after transitioning, to find the courage to get onstage and sing again; I was painfully aware of the dissonance between how I presented and what my voice sounded like.

What finally got me back playing again was the pain, frustration and disappointment from my first attempt at dating after transitioning, and all the songs we are playing were generated from that experience, and will be on our forthcoming album.

I still get nervous about how any particular crowd, or any particular person in an audience, might react negatively or aggressively [especially when it’s at a bar], so moving on from playing solo at singer/songwriter nights to being up there with bandmates that support me makes a huge difference.

Lineup & Influences

Regardless of the lineup, Stunt Lover has always been conceived as a two-person project, with various guests sitting in as available and as needed; the current lineup is myself on vocals and guitar, and my friend and amazing musician San Peric on drums.

At the moment we are also very pleased to have a friend of ours sitting in on bass for live events.

Everyone brings a different influence to the music, which is great, and we try to find a sound that is appropriate for each song rather than stay stuck in any particular genre; Sanj might push a bit of electro into a song and I might push back with a bit of dirty guitar.

Personally, I’ve always been inspired by the lyrics of a song, regardless of genre, but I think we are all interested in bands that aren’t afraid to experiment and try new sounds.

Where Next?

We’ve only just gotten to the point where we’re ready to perform at proper venues again, so it’s an exciting time. As great an experience it would be to play at Electric Picnic again, presenting and singing as a much more authentic person, I’ve always appreciated the history of the Whelans stage, and I hope we get a chance to play on it in the future.

The newest track, Apple Cider Vinegar, is available to listen here:

SkyBelow, the first video from the band which debuted at TENI’s Transfusion Festival in June this year, is available to watch here:

The release of all future videos, tracks, gigs and the forthcoming album can be followed on Stunt Lover’s Facebook Page and on Stunt Lover’s Soundcloud.

(Images: Louise Hannon Photography)