ReCOVery: A Conversation With Richard Anderson

Interview by George Wilde / Photos by Titus Childers

Richard Anderson is the owner and bandleader of Kinfolk Brass Band, one of the premiere music groups in the New Orleans tourism and hospitality industry. This interview was conducted in June of 2020.

Can you tell me a little about what Kinfolk does?

Basically, Kinfolk is in the corporate industry.

We do weddings, ceremony, reception, and wedding second line parades. Everything dealing with corporate revelers. Indians. Social Aid and Pleasure Club members, maybe a stilt-walker. Whatever our clients desire

We deal with a couple of DMCs [destination management companies] around the city. The majority are the popular ones that are most recognized for putting on big functions. We are part of the CVB [Convention and Visitors Bureau]. So we work with New Orleans and Company as well.

We’re really in the light — we stay highly recommended — because of how we come out when we perform.

How long have you been operating?

We started the band after the storm. We played with numerous bands throughout the city before the storm. After the storm, everybody was just so disheartened and going elsewhere. So we, me and my brother Percy, we said, “Let’s just form our own band.” And we know from looking at other bands what we wanted to do and what we didn’t want to do.

I’ve heard you both on the street and also playing nightly shows at Preservation Hall. What is it that you bring to the table that some of the other bands might not offer?

We really studied the business over the years, and understand what it takes to not just perform, but be business-oriented. Our whole thing is coming professionally. That’s how we grab our clients. We sit in meetings with the CVB, with the DMCs, and we can handle our own.

We like to get members in our band that have morale, and can hold a conversation. Not just want to play on the streets. We did that in our younger years, but…we feel as though if you won’t come to the business side — you won’t learn the business — you won’t know how to be professional [on the gig]. We only deal with those caliber of musicians. We build a relationship with the client.

Do you have regular musicians who play in the band?

Yeah, I have regulars. I have subs too. So we have a total of 15 to 20 musicians that work with us on a regular basis. If you’re an outsider (if you work with us just as a sub) you be like, “Man, you all have it just like a business. You all have full details. What to wear, what not to wear.”

I think that’s how you get the respect from the clients. You could talk to any client we deal with, they’re going to say, “Oh yeah, they’re clear with us and they’re going to come on time. Always in uniform.” We wear the same shoes, we wear the same pants, shirt with the logo on it, suspenders, hat. Uniform down to the T. We just don’t play. If you could just have your guys to respect the business and respect what you got going on, you’ll go far.

Have you found it easy to find musicians who can handle that level of commitment?

It’s definitely hard. You mess up one time, you know it’s over. And I’ll let you know that out the gate. That’s how it’s going to be, this is the rules.

It’s up front.

We don’t want to babysit anyone. We want you to be a grown man and be professional. Everybody knows how we operate. If I like how you carry yourself, I will call you again. You’ll be in our circle.

Why is it such a challenge to find musicians who can handle this level of excellence ?

Because people get stuck in their ways. Even the older guys.

We have musicians that want to learn and want to be professional, but they just need guidance. So what do we say? “Practice til your lips fall off.” Prove it. And then you test them out, give them a chance. I give everybody a chance. Everyone’s pretty much had a shot. All the musicians that’s in the brass band field, I would believe more than 65 to 70 percent of them have played with us at least once.

You’re providing work for people and also providing growth and guidance for musicians.

Multiple bands in our circle, they learned. And they went on to be a steady band that has steady work because they followed the guidelines.

Can you give an example of a band that maybe has a success story from the interaction with Kinfolk?

Yes. The Knockaz. That was one of our bands. That was our Band C. All of them came from St. Aug. But they wanted to be in the business. I will never shy away anybody from learning the business.

How does it feel to train your competition?

I never had a problem with that. That was my goal. I wanted to change how people really looked at the brass band world. “Oh, all they do is ask for tips. All they want to do is hustle.” You know what I’m saying? “They don’t have no permits, they don’t have a contract, they don’t know how to send off any paperwork, don’t answer emails on time.”

I check my email every day, everything that comes through, every minute. I answer any incoming emails within an hour, and have a contract within two hours. If I can reach them fast, they’re not looking for anybody else. I’ll talk to them on the phone too, the husband-to-be, their wife-to-be: “Now I can tell you both this how it’s going to be: it’ll be one the most exciting parts of the wedding. This is one of our traditions.”

I’ll break down the tradition to them, and then they’d be like, “Oh, we sold.” You’re not getting off the phone until I send you a contract and an invoice.

It sounds like part of the mission is to help change the way brass bands operate. Where does that desire come from?

The individual bands could have more control of their business. You don’t need a management to handle something you can do yourself. You know? It’s not hard to do this. It’s not hard.