John McKinstry hails from Canada, as he has been part of its music scene throughout the 1980s and 1990s in two bands. Now, the singer-songwriter is gaining a following here in the United States with his first solo project, Goliath Falling, in which he bares his soul as well as his worldly travels in all 13 tracks:
Garrett Godwin: Hello, John. It’s good to hear from you. How are you?
John McKinstry: Hi Garrett, I’m fine, how are you?
John McKinstry: I think we all have our ups and downs, and art often is a product of the “downs”. It is usually the difficulties which stir someone to create. However, many of my songs are based on moments of beauty and wonder, or daydreams of such things, so I think it all balances out…..like real life.
John McKinstry: I was raised Catholic and I find religious imagery to be a powerful thing. Such imagery is deep-seated in our culture, and can really drive home a lyrical idea. The mystery of spirituality is something I often explore in my songs.
John McKinstry: I decided to leave my hometown of Toronto for a couple of years, on a sort of “walkabout”, with no clear destination or return date, to stir up my life. It turned out to be two years, wandering and working along the way, in Europe and Africa. I wrote songs along the way, and felt a real artistic drive from the upheaval of living out of a suitcase. When I got home, I called up a bunch of musicians and recorded the songs.
John McKinstry: Growing up in the 70’s, I was immediately attracted to 60’s music. As with many kids regardless of the decade, The Beatles captured me, and from there I just discovered the wealth of 60’s music. I loved pure rock’n’roll. Then Van Morrison became a real influence: a mysterious, lyrical, soul music.
John McKinstry: I’m between girlfriends right now….
John McKinstry: I’m working to get a touring band together, with many of the musicians on my CD. It is a big sound on the record, horn section and all, so it’s a big effort putting it together. I’m hoping to do Canada and the States in the near future.
John McKinstry: The rest of 2008 will be rolling out the CD. There is a radio campaign on now, plus workshopping a band together. As for beyond that, I hope my songs make an impression on people, which is the goal of any songwriter.
