Kes the Band’s charismatic frontman, Kees Dieffenthaller, joined Brandon Gonez for an intimate and laughter-filled conversation where they talked soca, culture and vibes. Kes opened up about music, his roots, global recognition, and how Toronto shaped his journey ahead of him being the first soca artist to perform at Budweiser Stage.
A Love Letter to Toronto
“I love Toronto, man. It holds a very special place in my heart,” Kes began. “It was the first city we ever toured outside of the island. Y’all took my touring virginity,” he added, laughing.
For Kes, Toronto isn’t just a city—it’s an emotional landmark. “It’s the diversity. It reminds me of Trinidad, but on a different scale. The food, the people, the vibes—everything.”
From Trinidad to the World
Kes grew up in San Fernando, South Trinidad. His upbringing was filled with Calypso and soca music. “We had one TV station, TTT, and whatever they showed, we watched it. It exposed us to a mix—American, Canadian, Japanese shows.”
Even in a small island setting, his dreams were big. “We just wanted to be in a band and see the world. And that dream.”
The Turning Point: Wotless
For many fans, Wotless was the first major Kes anthem. But few know it almost never happened. “I was ready to quit Soca,” Kes admitted. “It was too hard to break through. I felt defeated.”
Then came a call from friend and songwriter Kerwin Du Bois, based in Toronto. “We recorded Wotless right here in Toronto, in the dead of winter. I was taking the bus, walking through snow—cold as ever. But that session brought the magic.”
The song became a breakthrough hit—not just for Kes, but for Soca music globally. “That moment of wanting to give up became the moment everything changed.”
The Stories Behind the Hits
Kes has a catalog packed with summer-defining anthems—Wotless, Savannah Grass, Hello, to name a few. But for him, each hit carries a personal weight.
- Wotless: “It saved my career. It was the turning point.”
- Hello: “That came during my divorce. I was in a rough place. But creating that track was healing.”
- Savannah Grass: “That one was for my father. He passed away in 2019, and this song holds everything he taught me about our culture.”
Never Stop, Never Settle
When Kes was asked what keeps him going in the face of adversity, Kes shared timeless wisdom: “I try to keep in touch with my voice inside. You know, sometimes you just need to sit silent and hear what your heart’s saying, because usually it’s right.”
Making History at Budweiser Stage
Kes is set to become the first Soca artist to headline the Budweiser Stage in Toronto. “This is huge. A full circle moment,” he said, smiling. “We’re celebrating 20 years of Kes the Band. Expect the classics, the hits, and a lot of heart. Toronto played such a big role in our story. We owe this city a lot.”
Kes’s concert is set to be on June 14th, 2025 at Budweiser Stage
