Pretty Much Cousins are a newer addition to the local music scene, but their groovin’ reggae vibrations and feel-good funk have quickly earned them fans. Hailing from the San Fernando Valley, the group has appeared on numerous stages across the desert this year, showcasing their captivating mix of rap, rock and reggae. Coachella Valley resident Kyle Helm handles the low end, providing irresistibly funky basslines to support a rhythmic and harmonic musical melting pot. For more info, visit instagram.com/prettymuchcousins777. Helm is also the co-founder of Kickass Booking, which has been hosting various concerts across the CV. For more information, visit instagram.com/kickassbooking.
What was the first concert you attended?
It was when Rebelution opened up for Snoop Dogg at the Empire Polo Club.
What was the first album you owned?
The Beatles (The White Album).
What bands are you listening to right now?
Nice&Swell, Capital Dub, and 74ODD. The fam out in (Huntington Beach) knows how to get it done.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
Any AI-generated music. It has no genuine feeling behind it.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Bob Marley and the Wailers.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
I’ve been made fun of countless times for knowing every single word to Hamilton, a musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda. I still watch it frequently!
What’s your favorite music venue?
The Observatory OC. I’ve seen so many great, intimate shows there!
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Once in a while, you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right,” Jerry Garcia in “Scarlet Begonias.” I’m always reminding myself that there is beauty in randomness, and the meaning is in the journey, not only the destination.
What band or artist changed your life?
Flatbush Zombies. They created a world through their music that I feel comfortable in. The energy at their live show is unmatched. Hip-hop legends.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I am asking Bradley Nowell, “Did you ever think your songs would become anthems for generations to come?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Wildflowers” by Tom Petty. It’s all in the lyrics.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Nirvana, MTV Unplugged in New York. A timeless piece of music, performed exactly how Kurt Cobain wanted it to feel.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Golden Light” by Pretty Much Cousins. As hard as it is coping with the loss of a loved one, this song delivers such a beautiful message on how to keep moving forward and to represent that person in the best way possible.
