EXCLUSIVE FEATURE: Kelowna's 5 Songs That Influenced Them

 

Scottish rock band KELOWNA unveil their debut album, 'Superstar', on Friday 28th August. With the band growing and momentum building, we exclusively asked the guys for the songs that have greatly shaped their sound:

Rival Sons - Nobody Wants To Die

"The song's powerful blend of blues, soul and modern rock struck a chord with vocalist Davy Wilson, while still echoing the timeless influence of Free and Bad Company, two bands that have shaped him enormously as a singer-songwriter. That combination of raw emotion, dynamic musicianship and classic rock spirit is something we strive to capture in our own music. Our track ‘Midnight Rider’ in particular was heavily inspired by this".

The Datsuns - Harmonic Generator

"The Datsuns debut album was the first album bought by guitarist Paul Mooney with his own pocket money as a kid. He was drawn in by the simplicity of the guitar riff, and how rather than using complex chords or melodies, it's the static rhythm of the guitar that is the song's main weapon and creates the hook. One you can't help bob your head, or tap your feet to. This song influenced him from a very young age, and is still an influence for writing riffs like the one he wrote for our track “Second Place”."

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band - Hollywood Nights

"Classic example of the power and energy rock’n’roll can generate without necessarily being just flat-out fast. Grabs you right from the start, never lets up as it takes you on a journey driven on by the relentless rhythm section. You can definitely hear the instrument mix in Kelowna’s music and in particular, drummer Rory McEwan used that bass-drum drive in the track Monster where you can also hear the blend of piano and guitars throughout."

Pink Floyd - Terminal Frost

"That hazy, melancholic vibe is something we’ve found in some of the tracks we’ve written. There’s something about giving a track space to breathe and reflect the emotion that went into writing it. This track has a beautiful balance of keys & guitars that blend effortlessly - one compliments the other. Bass & drums are understated but accent in all the right places. Our debut album has a couple of tracks that mirror this approach and in particular, “Meet You” is one we’re particularly proud of".

Kasabian - Shoot the Runner

"Bringing it all up to date a little, we all still have a bunch of modern influences and this one has the swagger and stompability that we try and put into our more upbeat tracks. That sense of anthemic punchy rock’n’roll appeals to all five of us. In the back of your mind when writing almost every tune, is what each track brings to a live show

The bass leads the way in terms of the melody and that’s something you’ll hear throughout our debut album, especially in tracks like our last single Insanity. Bit crazy, bit of a pop under-current with a T-Rex vibe."

Check out Kelowna's latest video for single 'Insanity':

Formed in early 2024 in Scotland, KELOWNA came together through a shared love of rock and roll. The five-piece draw on different musical backgrounds, blending classic rock influence with modern melodic writing. Not long after forming, they released their debut EP, introducing a sound built on sharp hooks, steady drive, and straightforward song craft. The release quickly built them an early following, alongside a busy run of live shows.

In 2025, KELOWNA played a slew of prestigious events including Heartland Festival, Winterstorm, and Bonfest, with live sets built around energy, melody, and connection with the crowd. Frontman Davy Wilson leads the writing, with the rest of the band shaping his ideas into full arrangements. That approach runs through their debut album Superstar. Drummer Rory McEwan says: “There’s something natural about how our songs come together. They usually start with a hook or one of Davy’s stories, and the studio lets us take those ideas further. There’s a touch of retro in all five of us, and what comes out is rock ’n’ roll for the soul.”

The result is a record and sound built on melody, performance, and songs that land directly and leave a mark.

Track listing: 1. Midnight Rider; 2. Second Place; 3. Wild and Free; 4. Raven Lady. 5. Meet You; 6. The Wordsmith; 7. Insanity; 8. Monster; 9. Song for Cathy; 10. Faith in the Music.

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KELOWNA are Davy Wilson – Lead Vocals; Paul Mooney – Lead Guitar; Simon Amos – Bass; Ian King Davy – Keyboards; Rory McEwan – Drums.