Ken Vasoli of The Starting Line

Vegas baby, Vegas! That is where Ken Vasoli, the lead singer of The Starting Line, was when I got to catch up with him over the phone recently. On day three in Vegas, the man was actually ahead in his winnings! Besides telling me how he was winning in Vegas, Ken and I got to talk about his love for James Brown, the band's hit single "Island", already being looked at as an influential band, and so much more.

Ken: Hey Asif, how are you?

Asif: Good man. How's it going for you?

Ken:  Good! We are in day three of being here in Vegas.

Asif: Have you gambled away and lost all of your money already?

Ken: (laughs) No! I was down $220 the first day. Made all but $100 back earlier yesterday, and then ahead $500. So I'm ahead about $400 all together.

Asif: Nice man! Anytime you come away from Vegas even is great, yet alone ahead! What are you playing: blackjack or poker?

Ken:  Actually just the Wheel of Fortune slot machine! (laughs)

Asif: Ah, you're a slots guy. That's cool though – whatever wins you the money, right?

Ken: Right!

Asif: I hear you’re a big James Brown fan…

Ken: I love James Brown! He's just amazing. People talk about him being a great entertainer and a great showman, and he was, but his records and his songs…he really writes amazing heartfelt lyrics and songs. You just don't hear about his songwriting as much and I just think he was underrated in that sense. I just got his record called Jazz the other day that I've been getting super into. It's like half instrumental…it's really weird. It's just a mix of a bunch of jazz and soul fusion songs.

Asif: Cool man. Now, to your music. Your new hit "Island" man…it is amazing! It's easily in my top three favorites for "Song of the Year", it might even be my number one…

Ken: Oh man…thank you man!

Asif:  Your totally welcome dude! I almost never ask about a particular song, but I love it so much I gotta know…what is the song about?

Ken: I wrote it when I was with my former girlfriend for three years. It was kinda about us bickering and kinda losing sight of why we were together. Just about forgetting all the bullsh*t of being in a relationship and all the stuff that doesn't matter and boil it down to being in love with somebody. I kinda wrote it in a way of fantasizing of going on a vacation where it was just me and her, where we didn't have anybody else there to distract us. Just us surviving and living with each other. Just kinda a reminder of why we were in love.

Asif:  Amazing man. I love it! You guys are from the Philadelphia area…and I might be heading out to Philly here in a little bit. You have any suggestions on where I should go get a Philly Cheesesteak?

Ken:  I am a Gino's guy. Jim's is also really good down on South Street. Jim's is a close second. As far as other stuff goes…there are a couple cool record stores there.  Actually I just saw the Liberty Bell for the first time last year. And it's nothing to write home about!

Asif:  (laughs)

Ken:  (laughs) There's like airport security to get into there! It's such a hassle just to go see a bell!

Asif:  I'll remember that! So, what are some of your hobbies? What do you like to do for fun?

Ken:  Umm…just make a lot of music. Even when I'm not making music with The Starting Line. I'm trying to finish up a record with me and all of my friends from back home. Besides that, just like a normal dude, I like watching football and going out for karaoke night.

Asif:  You an [NFL football team Philadelphia] Eagles fan?

Ken: I was until the other night.

Asif:  (laughs) They got smoked by the Cowboys man!

Ken:  (laughs) I am an Eagles fan, but unfortunately we have some rebuilding to do.

Asif:  Last question and I'll let you get back to your winning ways in Vegas. All of you guys are still in your 20s, yet you've already put out three albums and are being seen as an influential band to many other young and up-and-comers such as Paramore – who you are on a co-headling tour with right now- and Four Year Strong. How does that make you feel to be looked at in that way?

Ken:  It's really bizarre! I still idolize so many bands. I still get giddy when I'm around Chris Conley from Saves the Day. It's hard for me to imagine that turned around because I'm still influenced by other musicians. I could never dream of anybody ever taking influence from me while I'm still trying to figure it out.

Asif:  Hey bro, thanks for your time. I'm gonna let you get back to day three of Vegas!

Ken:  (laughs) Thank you man! Thank you so much for the kind words and loving "Island".

Asif: Hey, I mean it, that's why I'm saying it! Take care dude!

Ken:  See ya man!

www.startinglinerock.com

www.myspace.com/thestartingline

BY: The Asif

PHOTOS: courtesy of Kat LaFata & The Starting Line