We were lucky to catch up with Last Generation recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Last Generation, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
We asked Kylie “Shoes” Shuster, one of the band’s lead vocalists.
“I’ve been really fortunate to have musicians around me my whole life,” Shoes says. “My dad is a percussionist—he didn’t pursue music as a career, but he always stayed involved in making music.” Watching her father practice regularly, not for a paycheck but purely out of passion, left a lasting impression. “He was the first person to show me that music could be a labor of love, and he’s definitely my role model when it comes to collaboration.” Shoes is also quick to recognize the role of music educators. “I owe a lot to the amazing music teachers out there. Without them, I wouldn’t have the foundation I do.”
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
We asked drummer Quinn McCurry what’s been keeping the momentum alive. “We’ve been landing better gigs every week, and that’s been the most exciting thing for me—getting to book cooler and cooler venues,” Quinn shares. But it’s more than just the venues—it’s the people. “Of course, that wouldn’t be possible without insanely talented musicians,” he adds. “I couldn’t be luckier to have them as friends.”
For trumpeter Carson Krop, the band represents something bigger than a creative outlet—it’s a way to keep the joy of music alive beyond the classroom. “What excites me most about LastGen is getting to keep doing something that’s brought me joy for so long,” Carson says. “I’ve been playing my instrument since sixth grade, and I was lucky to continue all through college.”
Now, as Carson graduates and leaves behind the structured environment of school ensembles, Last Generation becomes more than just a band—it’s a lifeline. “I’m so grateful to have this group of people who care just as much as I do,” he says. “That shared love for music is what ties us all together. It’s the strongest thing we have in common, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into that and grow with the band.”
Last Generation has many upcoming shows in 2025, which can be found on their social media platforms. The band has roughly ten original songs prepared to perform, but are currently in the process of recording and mixing the songs to be ready for an official release. The band credits a lot of their success to the energy and spirit of 2024, but they are excited to book more shows, write more songs, and make more memories.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Leo Edwards, one of Last Generation’s lead vocalists, reflects on the mindset that’s guided them through their musical path. “For me, just having a sense of what everyone else is doing musically has been huge,” they explain. “Like knowing, ‘oh, the guitar will probably come in here,’ or ‘there’s a good spot for a drum fill here’—that kind of general awareness has really helped.”
But it’s not just musical instincts that have mattered—Leo emphasizes the power of connection.
“Learning even a little about each instrument makes it easier to suggest progressions or sounds that fit. And beyond music, just collaboration. Being in a group with anywhere from four to eight people at a rehearsal could be chaotic, but learning how to communicate and work together has been super, super important for getting things done.”
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
We asked guitarist and trombonist Jacob Rains about the hurdles Last Generation is currently facing. “Scheduling,” Jacob says without hesitation. “I love being in such a large ensemble, but planning schedules between eight people can be a nightmare.” Coordinating between full-time students, full-time workers, and those juggling both has been no small task. “It’s been a couple months since all eight of us were in the same room at the same time,” he admits. “Balancing rehearsal, photoshoots, writing sessions, and performances can be tiring—but it’s also incredibly rewarding.”
To help manage the chaos, the band has adopted some creative solutions. “Most of us live together now, so we can rehearse pretty much around the clock,” Jacob says. “We also use a shared ‘family’ calendar to keep track of everything. It holds us accountable and helps us work around each other’s obligations.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lastgen.kc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/LastGen/61559605335230/#
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LastGeneration-KCMO
Image Credits
Jakoby Lagud, Alex Stout, Olivia Vella, Ryan West, & Pebble Photography
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