The Kavs: Interview

From the western suburbs of Adelaide, The Kavs are a kickass four-piece with an infectious energy and a sound that mashes indie rock with funk and punky tones. But their compelling story begins not in the city, but in the small South Australian town of Whyalla. This is a band built on a foundation of childhood friendship and a lifelong love for music that has seen them navigate everything from sports careers to a constantly evolving lineup.

Whyalla Roots and The Backstory

Music has always been a central part of their lives. For Jake, it was a family affair, with his dad, uncles, older brother, and sister all involved in blues and singing. Oscar’s passion was sparked by his dad, who was "always blasting an album of some sorts at home." The band is comprised of three original members from Whyalla, while their original drummer, Beau, was from Port Lincoln.

After moving to Adelaide to pursue careers in footy and hockey, they eventually gave it up for a more "easy going lifestyle." They started jamming in the lounge room, which led to their first band, Sgum, along with their mate Liam. After a handful of backyard shows, Sgum disbanded when Liam moved away at the start of COVID. From that, The Kavs began to take shape. When Beau jumped on the kit and Liam moved back for his first stint on bass, the band officially started. Since then, Beau has left, and a new friend, Curtis, has filled the void on drums. Liam, who has "itchy feet" and loves to travel, is currently serving his second stint in the band and will be leaving again soon, leaving applications for a bass player open. The band is named after a friend, Kav, who they knew through their original drummer.

A Constantly Evolving Creative Process and Sound

The band’s sound is a direct reflection of their diverse influences. They cite a list of bands that are hard to narrow down, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimi Hendrix, Thin Lizzy, Beastie Boys, and Funkadelic. They credit local Adelaide bands like Rat Tamango and Blue Lucy, who have since become good mates, for giving them the drive to ensure their songs and live shows are always of high quality.

Their creative process changes with every song. Their earlier work was quite "riffy, with a punky edge" and a lot of their songs were based on 70s funk and 90s alt-rock. Now, much of their newer material comes "a lot more off the cuff from jam sessions." Songs like "Breakfast" and "Venice" "practically write themselves" in these moments. This collaborative approach ensures that everybody has some kind of personal attachment to the music, making their sound constantly evolving as their musical knowledge and skill grow.

Gigs, Goals, and Lessons Learned

When it comes to performing, The Kavs' philosophy is simple: "play every show with the same passion and effort no matter how big or small the crowd is." They've had many memorable shows, especially the early ones at The Cranker and Jive, as well as some "super fun" regional shows in Port Lincoln and Whyalla. However, their worst gig was their EP launch at The Jade in 2024, where the pressure they put on themselves led to a performance that didn't meet their own standards.

When they hit the stage, they each tap into the energy of an artist they admire: Oscar channels his inner Paul Rodgers, Liam has "big Flea energy," Jake likes to think he's one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's guitar players, and Curtis likes to pretend the band is Toto from behind the drums. Their favorite song to play live is "Breakfast," which gets the crowd moving, a change from their early favorite "So Stoked," which honestly "never really went over with the crowd."

Looking ahead, they have big goals. Their dream collaboration would be with the genius Nile Rodgers or Betty Davis, and they hope to one day open a show for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a band they always go back to when they're in a creative rut. They answered when asked who would they love to open for. 

The Road Ahead: An EP and A Message

The band has been busy, juggling full-time work with the final preparations for their sophomore EP, "Stay a Little While," which is due for an early October release on all streaming platforms. This comes with the "seemingly never ending task of making content," a process they admit can be a hindrance, as they can get so caught up in staying consistent with social media that the actual music takes a backseat. They wish for "more avenues for bands to get exposure on radio" and for bands to "take over again! With actual excitement and anticipation for new albums and tours." They also note the unfortunate trend of seeing "less and less live music venues."

The Kavs are making their Melbourne debut at The Retreat on Saturday, October 11, and are holding their EP launch at Jive on Friday, October 17. After that, they hope to embark on a regional tour in "early 2026." Their final message to their fans is a straightforward sign-off that perfectly captures their vibe: "We love you, stay cool, and buy tickets to our next show."