by Maria Staiano-Daniels
Daily Lobo
Matt Orio, the drummer of Ki, said he found the band's name on a tantric-sex website.
"I was trying to find out how to have sex for 14 hours straight," he said. "That didn't work, but I found six cool band names."
Orio said ki is the Korean word for chi, the life force.
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Ki returns to the Albuquerque music scene Sunday after a several month absence, during which the band got a new member and a new style.
Jay Swanson, Ki's new guitar and keyboard player, was no stranger to the band. Ki had covered for Swanson's previous band, Lylah.
Singer Ashlee Ek said Ki is a close-knit band.
"We're like a bunch of brothers," she said. "Well, one sister and a bunch of brothers."
All the members of Ki except Swanson have known each other since high school, but Swanson said that isn't a problem.
"We all clicked really well," he said.
Swanson said he enjoys being in Ki. In other bands, he said, he had problems with the arrogance of his bandmates, but not now.
"We're all on the same level," he said.
He also enjoys the opportunity to write his own music, something he couldn't do in previous bands. Everyone in Ki helps write the songs.
Other members of Ki are also happy to have Swanson on board. Guitarist Troy Orell, who first saw him play three years ago, said Swanson has strongly influenced his music.
"I always wanted to do what he was doing," Orell said.
Bass player John Powell said Swanson has brought new ideas, and helped change Ki's style.
Ek said the band's sound has mellowed out, which she likes.
"I'm not metal at all," she said.
Orell said the band's change from a dark, heavy sound, to something more melodic was a natural progression, and he is happy with the change.
Orio said Ki is more comfortable in its new style.
"We sound more like ourselves," he said.
As to what that means, band members are not sure. Swanson described Ki's sound as emo, new-wave metal.
Ek said it is hard to describe the band's style.
"People always ask," Ek said. "I never know what to say."
Band members have many different musical influences, from classical to jazz to pop. Ek said she likes Madonna and Tori Amos. Powell is classically trained, and said he uses Romantic and postmodern Russian composers as inspiration when he writes music. Orell loves the soundtrack to the video game "Ninja Gaiden," while Swanson loves Beethoven.
"He's my idol," he said.
Swanson said Ki's return has shown the band what a following it has. He said he found that people have been listening to Ki for years.
Members of Ki said they were nervous to be performing live again after their six-month absence.
Swanson said he was especially affected, having not performed live for several years.
"I have this pre-show ritual," he said. "I throw up."
Despite nerves, band members are excited to be returning.
"I've been waiting to do this for the past couple of months," Orell said.
