The Band Tkid: The King is Dead
     
   
   “I want to have people feel like I do when I listen to music, when they hear our songs,” says Connor Copp regarding his band The King is Dead, also known as Tkid. “When I play music I feel like something I was missing comes back to me.”
     Connor and his close friends, Levi Hanna and Jared Lamphere, all play key roles in the band. Connor plays the drums and is backup vocals, in addition to managing the band. He sets up their schedules and they practice at his house once or twice a week. Jared plays lead on the guitar, and Levi fills out the group with lead vocals and rhythm guitar.
     The band Tkid was formed in July of 2011, with a focus on playing progressive metal music, and lyrics inspired by feelings. Levi says, “The songs that I write are through my experiences, and they [the songs] all mean a lot to me and my band.” They shared with me during the interview some of the obstacles they face due to age and location. I was told it is difficult living in a rural area where there are not many places to perform, and the majority of people prefer country music. Practice times are cut short during the school year, and it is hard to find transportation for the band members and equipment. “It is difficult,” says Connor, “but we do what we can with what we have.”
     Connor credits coming from what he terms, “a very musical family” to much of his talent. He stated that his step dad can play almost any instrument, and Connor has always enjoyed listening. When Connor was young he gained experience from playing drums and singing for the congregation at his church, and his passion for music has continued to grow. Connor now has a twelve year history of singing, and previous band experience (former band was called Luxurious Chaos). His talent, however, doesn’t stop there. I can attest to his natural talent for improvisational beats, having overheard him prior to our interview. I might also add that it was very a very catchy beat!
     As for the boy’s personal music interests, Levi and Connor both admit they used to listen to The Back Street Boys and Insync. Now Connor, relishing in rock and metal music, is drawn to the likes of Trivium and Dream Theater.
     Levi, who started playing with Connor three years ago, also comes from a “music oriented” family. Levi’s brother having formed a band, led to Levi’s exposure to the guitar, and an instant love of music. Levi claims inspirational draw from Avenged Sevenfold, Forever the Sickest Kids, and Never Shout Never, and Papa Roach. Currently Levi is finishing his first original song for Tkid, though having written many songs in the past, song writing itself isn’t knew to him.  
     With the groups collective efforts they plan to have three songs finished by mid-summer of 2012, and intend to start recording before school starts in the fall of this year. Their goal is to release an album after recording is complete, and start performing.
     At the time of print Tkid is scheduled to perform at the North Branch High School’s Annual Talent Show next year. The King is Dead offers these words until then, “Keep an eye out for us because we’re coming!”
 
~ Ashley Beth
 
For updates on Tkid you are invited to follow them on their Facebook page titled ‘The King is Dead’