Meet Kalien Stark, a resilient 55-year-old disabled musician who defies limitations with an inspiring musical journey. Faced with the challenge of adapting to failing hands, Kalien tenaciously relearned the guitar, using his passion for music as a driving force for overcoming adversity.
As a testament to his perseverance, Kalien transitioned to recording and publishing his compositions when disability became a part of his life. Turning his home computer into a creative haven, he crafted over 150 original pieces in just three years. Through the lens of music, Kalien found a way to stay productive, channeling his experiences into a unique blend of creativity and determination.
Discover Kalien Stark's distinctive sound and unwavering spirit on Spotify, where his musical expressions come to life. Follow his journey and support the incredible work of this disabled artist who turned challenges into musical triumphs.
My name is Bill Hirons. Born in 1968 in St. Louis North County. I’ve done work as everything from a Security Officer in a High Rise office building, to a sod farmer to a bouncer in bars. I’m currently disabled due to Degenerative Disc Disease which has limited my mobility and my dexterity. Being a guitar player, this means my fingers are … unreliable… and has presented a number of challenges which I rise to meet on a daily basis. I’ve had two cervical (neck) surgeries to address these issued, have one coming up and likely at least one or more in my lumbar spine once that has healed. I’m also have kidney disease which is currently in remission and fatigue issues which may or may not be related to my other issues. I live with my best friend and loyal Dachshund Chewie (who has done vocals on the Kalien Stark song Wiener Dog) and my cat Artoo.
And I am Kalien Stark.
Origin Story: Kalien Stark is described as an interdimensional being that takes on the experiences of others. How did the concept of Kalien Stark come about, and what inspired you to explore storytelling through the lens of different beings?
When I started publishing my music I realized that disability could be problematic with touring. I can play some shows but not 3 times a week and travelling in a van in between for months at a time. So I wanted a way to allow other players to come in and out of the band, not as replacements so much but as other interpretations. This would also allow a wide variety of styles. In realizing that, I thought how can this be presented in a band format? So, I came up with a ‘being’ that’s simply an intelligence.. .no body, that ‘becomes’ various other beings it encounters and then records some of their story for posterity. In character, I, Bill Hirons, am one of many of it’s contacts throughout the multiverse through which those stories are presented. In that way, I can write/produce two different songs, back to back on an album or performed live, that have exact OPPOSITE viewpoints on a subject. This means that ANY person of ANY ideology, tastes, viewpoints and messages may be a part of the Kalien Stark experience and not betray the “style” of the band and it’s products. Our Merch might have two different shirts.. one “Antarcticans are Yucky!” and another that says “Antarcticans love Puppies” and it won’t be incompatible with the Kalien Stark brand.
Musical Diversity: Your approach to Kalien Stark involves experimenting with a wide range of musical styles, from rock/blues to country, pop, and electronica. How do you navigate these diverse genres while maintaining a cohesive narrative in your storytelling?
Part of my approach in making music to begin with is to take an idea that I hear or that occurs to me and nurturing and growing that idea. I’ve attempted many times to write things in specific styles, but more often than not, it’s just the natural growth of the song. Rather than trying to make a song that sounds like Taylor Swift or Megadeth, I let the music tell me where it wants to go. I rarely am successful at writing songs which I intended to be in a specific style. I tell people, “I don’t write songs, I’m just the conduit for them to come into existence.”
Artistic Expression: Besides music, you mentioned that Kalien Stark presents stories through various artistic forms. Can you share examples of how you've translated these experiences into different art mediums, and what challenges or joys come with expressing stories in different forms?
One of the unexpected outcomes of publishing songs is that I found a market for lyrics videos. I was never much of a graphic artist, but when the AI stuff hit the scene I was curious, then enamored, then empowered. Being disabled, I’m broke so paying artists (or engineers or mastering professionals, etc) to help just isn’t an option so I have to do it myself (which is why I do much of the singing as well.. nobody else to do it). I played around with Midjourney and found that in conjunction with Canva I can crate some really cool stuff. So I did… and I use it for lyrics videos and advertisements for my songs. I found I love the creation process so much with Midjourney that I have FAR MORE content than I’ll ever need. I also have an Etsy shop where I am selling both the art from the videos and the outtakes on various media from mugs to ballcaps to wall hangings.
Band Dynamics: While you are the founder and primary creator of Kalien Stark, you envision it becoming a band with a revolving lineup. How do you foresee this impacting the creative process, and what benefits do you believe diversity of thought and expression can bring to the project?
So far, other than a bass player, Jim Ankar, who I’ve been jamming with since my FSU days and Jonn, another buddy from my FSU days in the early 90s and some recreations of songs from my band at FSU (Stark Raving Naked) and the singer of that Band Zach, it’s been all me. I DEARLY would love to do some collabs, but I am limited in my contacts and so far any time I’ve reached out to someone it hasn’t worked out. Ultimately however, I want every album to have multiple writers/performers. I’d love it if I could get to a point where every song Kalien Stark puts out features a new and different member of the band. Live shows too. I’d love to give a writing credits and spots on albums and live shows to the unnamed studio musicians and stage musicians who you hear every day but never know their name.
Influence of Disability: As a disabled artist awaiting surgery, how has your personal journey influenced your songwriting and artistic expression within Kalien Stark? Have these experiences shaped the narratives you explore through your music?
The Laughing Tree, my most recent album is basically my life over the past few years. Tired & Sick, Pain Hurts and On the Road to Perdition are basically mental defecations. My body, after everything I’ve been dealing with, NEEDED to purge, to evacuate my mental bowel so to speak. Tired & Sick, is the song I’m most proud of and that takes me away every time I hear it. The piano parts on it are probably the musical part I’ve done in my life I’m most proud of. Similarly, I’m pretty political. I call myself (and register and often vote) Libertarian, but these days the Classic Liberal I used to call myself looks more like a conservative. But songs like The Laughing Tree and Halfway Undone directly address some of the politically charged subjects of the day. Then we have what I think is one of my best written and produced songs, “Life Happens”… which was in part inspired my Mike Rowe. It’s more subtly political, but I think it’s the song that will appeal to the most people.
Future of Kalien Stark: Given your vision for the band's future, how do you plan to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment as new members join and potentially take on leading roles in the creative process?
I’d have open calls for songwriters and if I find unknowns with good songs, We’ll produce them with Kalien Stark, give them appropriate songwriting/performing credits then feature them at the shows. In addition to playing with KS on the records, their own band/project would have a spot as a supporting act at shows. All supporting acts would, in theory, be projects of the various performers at that particular show. I have so many ideas for this that I could go on forever.
Right now I’m just looking for getting Kalien Stark in enough ears that I can get collabs, players and shows.
Touring Vision: You've mentioned a unique touring vision for Kalien Stark, drawing inspiration from the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts. How do you envision these shows unfolding, and what kind of experience do you hope to create for the audience with a diverse lineup of artists supporting Kalien Stark?
Ideally, I’d like Kalien Stark to turn into a kind of bastardized child of Dead Shows, the Taylor Hawkins Tribute and supergroup collabs like you see at awards shows and the like. Imagine instead of normal touring, Kalien Stark would do more like festival shows. Maybe a dozen a year, BUT each show would have different performers and set lists. I picture fans being similar to Deadheads going to all the different shows worldwide with the added inclusion that they get to see different people play at different shows. Imagine two fans talking: “I saw Kalien Stark in Los Angeles with Danny Carey on drums and Wolf Van Halen on guitar! They played Aenima and Jamie’s Cryin!” .. “No Way! I saw them in Dallas with Les Claypool on bass and Greg Rolie playing keys!”. That’s a dream scenario of course but you get the idea.
Solo vs. Band Work: You've mentioned that your solo work tends to be more rock/blues-based, while Kalien Stark explores a broader spectrum of styles. How do you decide which ideas and stories belong to Kalien Stark versus your solo work, and what drives your creative choices in each context?
I originally had some songs that were published under my name Bill Hirons that revolved mainly around my guitar playing since relearning how to play. I had given it up in the early 2000s thanks to what I thought was arthritis (but ended up being degenerative disc disease) and around 2015 or so I discovered the band Larkin Poe on Youtube. They were doing all these cool old songs in their own style. One of the two sisters, Megan, plays a lap steel guitar exclusively and I was freaked out that she would play all those songs in Dobro tuning (quite different from the standard tuning of a guitar) and realized that I didn’t have to give up guitar playing, I just had to change my tools and playing style to my adjust for my limitations. I went out bought a lap steel and a couple of guitars and went to learning open tunings and the rest is history. My solo work was based on my experimentations with various open tunings and some of the cool ‘mistakes’ that came from relearning. Eventually I realized that I AM Kalien Stark (as is anyone who contributes) so I pulled all my Bill Hirons songs from streaming and have been slowly working them in as Kalien Stark songs.
Another reason I did so was to make room for Bee Goode & the Grace Notes, a band for kids that I’ve started. But that’s a whole other can of beans that would take up a whole other interview.
Impact of Surgery: Once your surgery is completed, how do you anticipate it will affect your ability to play out and tour with Kalien Stark? Are there specific goals or milestones you hope to achieve in the post-surgery phase of the band?
Ok. That’s a tough one. I’ve had two cervical (neck) surgeries so far.. both fusions where they remove a disc and fuse the vertebra on either side to prevent compression of the spine. My next surgery will also be on my neck and this time, rather than addressing structural issues which were meant to prevent worsening of my situation, the surgery will be addressing the nerves leaving the spine and to my hands, arms and shoulders. The hope is to relieve much of the pain I have and to hopefully return some strength and dexterity. Once that is done and healed, we will likely go through the same process, structural surgery then another to deal with pain, in my lower back. The hope is that I would regain enough of my old self to play more than I am currently able, especially live, however, reality is what it is and the degenerative part of degenerative disc disease means it will continue to get worse. With that in mind, I plan on playing whatever instruments I’m able to as I’m able to, but understand that I may get to a point where I’m only able to perform vocals.
Legacy of Kalien Stark: Looking ahead, with the idea that Kalien Stark may continue without you in the long run, what kind of legacy do you hope the band leaves behind, both in terms of music and its unique approach to storytelling?
The legacy is the whole thing. I’m a 55 year old disabled broke dude with no children. I’ve written a novel which has sold maybe a few dozen copies. BUT.. I now have over 150 releases on the streaming services and I’ve got as many songs on deck ready to be published. That will be my legacy as it stands now. I’d like to expand on that where Kalien Stark Shows are, 10, 20, 50 years from now a thing that people do like the Deadheads all did while Jerry was still alive.
As for my personal legacy, I’d like people to examine my work and what I’ve done with Kalien stark and know that I’ve not only presented myself and my views in a creative and impactful way, but opened a door and welcomed in any others who wish tp do the same. Sure, being a big-time Rockstar would be cool, but I think taking the journey to that place with as many other people as I can take with me is more what I’d like to achieve. I’ve been accused in the past of being an enabler, so I’m gonna double down on that and attempt to enable others to take this adventure with me.
Kalien Stark Everywhere
Official: KalienStark.Rocks
Twitter: KalienStark
Spotify: Kalien Stark
I appreciate the opportunity! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI had a great time doing this interview with you Bill!
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