Kevin Katich is a drummer I photographed in Venice. His unique look caught my eye and I'm so glad we got to work together. I also got an interview with him, luckily he gave back great answers;
How long have you had your long hair?
This cycle, I’ve had my long hair for three years and I’ve been dreading it for the past two years. I’ve grown my hair really long once before and experienced instant regret when I cut it.
Would you ever cut it, and what would make you cut it?
I’m definitely not planning on cutting my hair any time in the foreseeable future. My dreads are an extension of my personality. The only thing that would cause me to cut them shorter (which would be after a few more years of growth) would be neck problems. After a certain point, the weight of dreadlocks can supposedly cause tension in the neck, as told to me by some of my fellow dreadheads.
What does having long hair mean to you? Is it a fashion statement or is it personally significant to you?
Both. I look best with my hair long and long hair is more representative of my free-spirited, individualist personality than any other hairstyle. I initially dreaded it because I was tired of maintaining/straightening my hair on a regular basis, as my undreaded texture is very curly and thick. Originally the dreads started out as a fashion statement I guess, but the more I would dread my hair, the more it would develop a spiritual significance for me. Dreadlocks for me are symbolic of wisdom. It serves as a humbling reminder that I’ve become much wiser and have experienced a lot since I began the dreading process, but it also reminds me of how much wiser, experienced and more spiritually/metaphysically evolved I will be when my dreads are longer. In other words, it’s a physical timeline with my memories built into it.
Do you think women like it? Have you ever gotten laid or not because of it?
Definitely! Women love to play with my dreads. They’re a conversation starter and women are always trying to guess my ethnicity. Women generally seem to be more intrigued by me now that I have such an unconventional hairstyle. I’m sure my dreads have prevented me from getting laid before too though, I’m well aware that this hairstyle does not appeal to everyone.
What is the best compliment you’ve ever received regarding your hair?
Much to my surprise, a woman told me that I was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen and went on and on about my dreads. It was a pleasant surprise for sure. I take pride in the fact that I have a unique, perhaps even exotic appearance, but I’m also very aware that my appearance is not the conventional American perception of “attractive.” So that was very nice to hear. I’m also frequently mistaken for an albino Black man, which is both hilarious and awesome.
What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?
Everything. Anything ranging from my career as a musician and how I can progress it to the next level to the acts of lucid dreaming and astral projection to various cultures around the world and all the places I want to visit to how we can nonviolently remove the political power from the Federal Reserve Banking Cartel and put it back into the hands of the citizens.
What is your least favorite thing about humanity?
Ego. The ego of humanity has prevented us from recognizing that we are of one consciousness. Ego, whether it’s motivated by power hunger or desperation, has been the catalyst in the divide and conquer scenario that has taken place time and time again throughout history. The idea that one human life is more valuable than another needs to go, and that will happen on a grand scale when we can collectively recognize ourselves in others.
How would people communicate in a perfect world?
Honestly and without deception. I’d take the honest truth over sugar coating any day.
What is one misconception people have about you?
I’m often mistaken for being a hardass upon first encounter. My walk apparently implies that I’m a far more intense personality than I really am. People tease me about my “gangsta” walk (which I don’t even realize I’m doing until someone points it out) and comment on how surprised they are at my friendly, easy-going nature once they’ve talked to me for a while.
If you could be anyone else, who would you be?
That’s a challenging question because I’m really not about hero worship. But some people I currently really admire are Mark Craney (who mentored me when I was a teenager), Jon Theodore, Simen Hestnæs, Martin Luther King Jr., Paul Hellyer, Bob Marley, and Jesse Ventura.
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