Hailing from the expressive west side hang of Greenwich Village in New York City, Killian Wells didn’t have far to travel for inspiration. At the age of five, he was already singing, a surprise both welcomed and encouraged by his parents, both avid fans of music and the stage.
The twenty-one-year-old with a voice that evokes tones of wisdom far beyond his years had all the ingredients at his disposal. For years Killian had performed in various vocal groups, and with the added conviction and drive gleaned from intensive vocal training, a career in the industry seemed to be on the horizon.
A child of the eighties himself, it was a decade that would heavily influence this unique artist’s sound. Described as having the overtones of a young George Michael paired with the cutting lyrical jabs of Annie Lennox, Killian was already set apart from the crowd.
Still in his teens and developing as a writer, Wells weighed up his options, deciding that if he were to successfully pursue a career in music, he would have to balance his time. Going against his parents’ wishes, Killian dropped out of high school and turned to a distance learning program. In doing so, Killian allocated a great deal of time to studying the music business, and so the brainchild later to be named Inferno Records® was born. Proving to be an entrepreneur as well as a talent, it wasn’t long before Killian began turning the heads of those within the music industry.
At 15, Killian began working with platinum-selling writers and producers from around the country whose credits included such fellow pop artists ranging from Hilary Duff to Nick Carter, and Jesse McCartney to Whitney Houston. For years though, Killian struggled to find a sound that completely fit, and was furthermore lead astray by industry veterans stressing their own ideas as to what his musical direction should be. While recording his debut album, Wells was even approached to be in a boy band in Germany, a potentially lucrative offer he immediately turned down, never losing sight of his aspirations as a solo artist.
2006 marked the end of Killian’s five-year bout of musical schizophrenia, as he began recording edgy, eighties-inspired pop fused with modern day R&B, all braced with visceral lyrics and Timbaland-esque beats. The true artist was finally emerging. “Writing is my center. With so many great singers out there, I feel it’s the writing and emotion behind a song that differentiates a true artist from a performer.†That said, Killian was determined his debut album would genuinely reflect who he was, a goal most pop artists rarely attain. “That was the basis behind my decision to go indie,†says Wells. “Having my own working label gave me so much more creative control than I would’ve had with a major label.†More than a talented vocalist, Wells also co-produced his entire album, and co-wrote all but one track, a slick dance cover of The Outfield’s 1985 hit Your Love. Killian collaborrated on the project with Todd Nystrom, an up-and-comer who produced 1 Radio Disney hits for Stevie Brock. Killian’s vision, matched strength-for-strength only by a lead vocal that reminds one of the mystery within Bowie’s phrasing and the all-out pipes of Billy Joel, set the tone for what blossomed into a masterful work.
With the New Year heading towards summer, Killian Wells’s debut album entitled Hot Mess is already making waves as far afield as Europe and Japan. Set to drop June 26, 2007, feedback has been more than positive, with Killian receiving marriage proposals from an ever-exploding international fan base.
Poised on the verge of a roller coaster ride, Killian seems confident, if not a little relaxed. “There isn’t much time during my waking hours that I’m not listening to music or producing it,†says Wells, with a sense of innate self-awareness that most artists spend their entire careers trying to convey. “I just want to move others with my music,†he says, “even if it’s only for three and a half minutes at a time.â€
Although the business is riddled with stories of those who have tried and cried, those surrounding Killian don’t seem worried. With an attitude exuding professionalism, and possessing a disarming charm, this blue-eyed, blond-haired city kid seems set for success, no matter what they throw at him.
Written by Tom Hayes
Lyrics.com - Get all of Killian's Lyrics here
Inferno Records - Killian's Record Label Site
YouTube.com - Check out Killian's videos
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