Lead vocalist talks songwriting and expectations for upcoming release
Stephen Pepler, lead vocalist and songwriter for alt-folk band Kim The Lion, is a self-driven musician. From Whitby, Ontario, Pepler started his music career at 17 when he wrote most of the music for Kim The Lion’s self-titled debut album. Dave Saliba, the guitarist and back-up vocalist for the band, co-wrote most of the music alongside Pepler.
“I wrote most of that album when I was 17. The first song I ever wrote was the fourth track on the album called ‘You Are Mine,’ and that was the song that me and Dave [Saliba] did together, and that was the first time I ever wrote a song,” said Pepler on the start of his songwriting career. “There was something special about that, just ‘cause it was the first song, and it was good enough to – at least for us – to be part of the album.”
Kim The Lion’s self-titled album was released in August of 2012, and Pepler and Saliba are currently working on their new album, The Strongest Man. Pepler says that unlike their first album, the songwriting for their upcoming album will be more evenly split between Pepler and Saliba. They are currently recording The Strongest Man at Knob & Tube Recording in Toronto, and the band partnering with David Baxter to produce it.
When asked about what to expect from their new album, Pepler explained that there will definitely be a difference, and he expects to be a lot more lyrically mature:
“Just ’cause I’m not 17 anymore…I mean 21’s not that much older than 17 – but it is, in some ways, different, and a very transitional point in peoples’ lives. And … I’m not the person I was when I was 17,” said Pepler. “I’m really excited for this album, because I feel like we have matured musically and lyrically. I think we’ll have a much more lively presence live, and the people who are playing on it, I’m really stoked to work with.”
Being a successful musician at a young age, Pepler exemplifies the effects of hard work and dedication. He is an inspiration for other young and aspiring artists in and around his hometown.
Kim The Lion avidly performs in Toronto, usually at The Cameron House. Their upcoming album, The Strongest Man, is expected to be released this fall, and the band is scheduled tour across Canada following the release.