If you spend five minutes on KING's website www.weareking.com you'll learn all there is to know about these 3 talented musical majesties. And if you're anything like me, you'll click the link entitled "See Our Music" and be moved to tears.
After releasing only 3 songs earlier this year, KING has become the most talked about and praised soul revival bands in a looong time. Let's just say Prince is a fan and Prince tours with 4 of the most amazing back-up divas out there (if that's even what you wanna call them) Not to mention, he's Prince.
These women, composed of 2 sisters and an epic friend, have found their sound by listening to the inner and outer voices they were blessed with! Their success has undoubtably come from their ability to trust themselves and proceed without question.
If you're like me you fall in love with one record at a time and blast your new obsession over and over until you find a new one. My new honey is a pair of Danish kids called Quadron. I have to comment on the sweet yet soulful vocals of Coco Hannibal. She reminds me immediately of another one of my dear favorites: Amel Larrieux with a sprinkle of Adele. Her sound rests unexpectedly on top of some quirky and unexpected chords created by partner Robin Hannibal. And how can you not love the incorporation of a brass section?
I'm in love with all of it. A new spin on soul gets me. Y'all know it does.
Back to Cali and the first thing I treated myself to was a fine show by the best band that has happened to garage rock melodies since The Strokes. Dirty Pillows.
When guitarist/lead singer Alex "Millhows" Villanueva, a polite but painfully awkward guy, gathers his shy self, folds it up, and packs it away neatly into a proper vintage suitcase (that one can only assume he owns); musical magic seems to stream from his face. With the right set (The Blank's silver streamers and red lights help) he morphs into a mad man and manages to master a talent that is both vulnerable and bad-ass.
This magic can only be accomplished with the help of rock star rhythm kid Jeff Jagged. Here is a true old skool drummer with a love for times past and a complete understanding of the progression of rock and roll (and every other genre you can think of). Together they give in to their inner 1960's rockstar with true style and a new dirty flavor.
Come see for yourself. TONIGHT Live @ The Blank Club Wednesday, July 13
Doors 9pm
Free!
LOCAL LEGENDS
*DIRTY PILLOWS TOWN CRIER
"Track in the Box" is a music newsletter meant to help you find music without having to 'trawl through the multitude of music blogs' (...)
Recently they have highlighted a timeless track chosen by rock duo, The Kills.
This is one of my favorite songs called "I Just Want to Make Love to You" off of Etta James's most successful album "At Last"
Now I see where Alison gets all her fantastic grit and stage presence.
It's SO comforting to know that rock goddesses take cues from SOUL.
Etta delivers these lyrics with a passion that can only be admired and imitated, never reproduced. She takes absolute control of this number and I continue to die for it every time. Ms. Mosshart agrees:
"What a voice! What a song. This one never gets old, it's too good sounding." (Alison)
Well mama, you already had me at 'Alphabet Pony' but now we must be soul sistahs.
Check out THE KILLS latest album titled Blood Pressures and see them live see them live see them live.
I have been known to step out of the SOUL box with this blog because, well, I tend to find soul in just about everything. But THIS BAND, yes, I know many of you knew already but be nice to a sistah who just found out....THIS BAND. PERIOD.
Once again I have to credit the musical genius that I call boo, Shane Hagerty (rockNroll OBSESSED) for getting me into this magnificent man rock duo.
I know how to werk a sweaty Coachella crowd but was a little leary about gettin in the mix and havin to throw my bows to block the fool that would probably murder me at this show. Maybe it was the sunset that calmed the storm. Or maybe it was the fact that everyone was at a STAND STILL. Once the boys started killing us with their raw, brutal and surprisingly sweet rock tunes, we couldn't move, we couldn't breathe, we could only stand mouth agape. Somehow these sexy-disgusting men meshed crushing drums and base with sensitive lyrics. Imagine a screaming marriage proposal supported by the sick, psychotic, crashing BRILLIANCE of sound, "WE'LL GET MARRIED AND START A FAMILY!!!!" Holy shit I'm in love.
I've mentioned before that every band/artist I write about influences my own musical journey so...Steely Nash and the Cuts are striving to be a duo these days. It all came to me during this show. Was I really living before this show? Nah. But now I am.
