Debonair Interviews-Kenyon Phillips and Brian Gumbel of Unisex Salon

Debonair had the opportunity to sit down with Kenyon Phillips and Brian Gumbel of Unisex Salon – one of the hottest bands based in NYC right now.  They have been playing a lot of shows all over Manhattan and this week are headlining at the Blender Theater. They were also picked to be one of the bands featured on “Fearless Music” recently which is super rad.

1. So what is the deal with Unisex Salon? Where did you get the name? What type of music is it?

Kenyon: Unisex Salon is a New Wave rock band that I started waaaaaaay back in 2000 with Strokes producer Gordon Raphael. The Salon’s had a ton of personel shifts since then, but it’s my baby. Originally I just wanted the band to be called Unisex, but that name had already been taken by one band in Norway and three or four bands in Japan. One day when Gordon and I were walking past one of those ghetto “unisex salons” on the way to his studio, he joked, “Hey, why don’t you just call the band Unisex Salon? It’ll advertise itself!”

2. What is the influence behind the music? Who comes up with the lyrics and the sounds?

Kenyon: The music is heavily influenced by mid to late 80s synth pop — INXS, Fine Young Cannibals, The Thompson Twins, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and New Order, to name a few. I come up with the lyrics and a bare-bones framework for most of the songs — then I hand them over to the band, since they’re all far better musicians than I am.

3. I hear you don’t have a guitarist – how does that work… but you have a keyboardist ( Brian ) that plays two keyboards…

Brian: That is correct. We do not have a guitarist, and that’s what makes our sound so unique.  I play two Korg X-50 synths stacked on top of each other, and play each similar to how a rhythm and lead guitar would be played in a band.  The top synth belts out more melodic and hypnotic sounds, and paves the way as the main groove in the song.  The bottom keyboard is my rhythm section, which adds fullness to create a powerful ambience.

4. Do you believe in past lives and if so what/who were you in your past life?

Kenyon: As much as I love the idea of past lives, I can’t say that I believe in them. Something tells me this is my first and only go-round.

Brian: I do believe in past lives, and am pretty sure I was of asian decent.  I love the people, culture and most of all the food.  I simply can not get enough Thai green curry and seaweed salad.

5. What was your best trip ever and where do you want to travel next?

Kenyon: Best trip ever was an extended trip to Italy — I ended up living in Rome for eight months. If I had my druthers, my next trip would be to the moon!

Brian: My best trip was to Kenya.  I never thought a trip could have such a profound impact on how I view the world.  I encourage anyone who has ever thought of going to Africa, to make it happen soon.  Live that dream.  You won’t be disappointed.   I love animals and the beauty of nature, so my next trip will be to the Galapagos Islands.

6. Who is your favorite artist, musician, photographer – who inspires you?

Kenyon: Hands down, David Byrne. He’s my favorite everything: musician, performer, photographer, conceptual artist, writer, and bicycle enthusiast. He’s been my number-one inspiration since I was 12 years old.

Brian: It’s hard for me to just pick one, as I have been inspired and influenced by many artists.   There is an element of classical music in some of our songs.  I know this stems from my fondness of Beethoven and Bach, from when I was classically trained on the piano as a kid.  My inspiration also comes from several artists from different genre’s of music, Dave Mustane, Bruce Dickinson, Matthew Bellamy (Muse), Tiesto, Jim Morrison and Bono.

7. If you could work with a musician, producer, an “idol” for Unisex Salon – who would it be?

Kenyon: Brian Eno. He’s my favorite producer ever. The stuff he’s done with U2, Talking Heads and everyone in between is genius. I also love love love his solo records — every single one of them.

Brian: Matthew Bellamy (Muse)

8. If you were stranded on an island what book would you take with you?

Kenyon: “Naked Lunch” by William S. Burroughs. I never get sick of it, and it’s one of the most challenging reads ever.

Brian: Being that I am a practical person, I would take a book entitled, “How to Survive While Stranded on a Desert Island.”

9. Who inspires you fashion wise – what is your staple uniform to wear on stage? I know you guys wear a lot of awesome necklaces by one of my favorite designers… Lulu Frost – that is so FANTASTIC !

Kenyon: Lulu Frost is amazing! She uses antiques that she collects from all over the world, so all her pieces are dripping with soul. Clothing-wise, I’m inspired by anything that’s tight, sexy, monochromatic, and just a little bit dangerous. Onstage, I don’t wear much. I usually go topless cuz I love my tattoos more than any shirt I’ve ever come across.

Brian: John Varvatos is my favorite!

10. What was the most memorable day of your life thus far and why?

Kenyon: The day I met my girlfriend, Megan. I was in a real tailspin, and the fact that such a beautiful, pure and vibrant human being could exist in this strange and terrible world proved to me that there was more to life than mediocre sex, poverty and band practice.

Brian: My Wedding day.  There was an incredible energy surrounding that day. Nothing was better than having your closest friends and familiy together to celebrate in your honor.

Bonus question:

11. Leave us with a lyric from one of your songs that really speaks to you or Unisex Salon

Kenyon: “I don’t want what I need. I just want what I see.”