Author: Bridget Benevides
When people ask me “who I listen do” in terms of music, and my favorite artists, I always list Rainbow Kitten Surprise in the top give. “Rainbow? Kitten? Surprise?” they ask, and giggle at the name, but yes, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, let me tell you about my best friends.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise and all five of its members hail from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. With catchy, yet deep lyrical meaning, beautifully designed bass lines, and melodic guitar riffs, their unique sound will keep me humming their tunes all day long. The alternative/indie-pop band takes influence from great artists like Modest Mouse, Lana Del Rey, and Kings of Leon. AND THEY’RE COMING TO SHOWBOX SODO ON MAY 3RD! Are you as excited as I am?
RKS was formed in early 2013 when the first two members, Sam Melo and Darrick “Bozzy” Keller, decided to begin writing and composing music together. What started out as just two college students with acoustic guitars, would soon turn into a full band with a very unique name. The duo decided to take it up a notch by adding more members and instruments to the band. Over the next year the group widely expanded in size and sound by adding three more members: Ethan Goodpaster (electric guitar), Jess Haney (drums), and Charlie Holt (bass). In that year, RKS independently released their first album Seven(which was later re-released in combination with the band’s first EP as a joint album titled Seven + Mary.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise is touring with their new album How To: Friend, Love, Freefall.They have been slowly releasing songs, with little blurbs about the story behind each song (as I slowly fall in love more and more). This is their third album, which incorporates new sounds and rhythms, but is very uniquely the sound of RKS that fans love!
Not only is Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s music one of a kind and wonderfully fun, but their stage presence is said to be incredible. Lead singer Sam Melo leads the charge with some of the best Rock ‘n’ Roll dance moves. “Bozzy” Keller and Charlie Holt do some dancing of their own while providing solid vocal support. Goodpastor lets his talented guitar work do most of the talking while Haney takes the mic like a baton from time to time to lead the crowd in in-song activities.
I am terribly excited to get to experience this group for myself, LIVE! My sister is the one who first introduced me to RKS by showing me their songs “Mr. Redundant” (her favorite) and “Cocaine Jesus” (which quickly became my favorite). She is flying up in May to visit me for the first time since I moved to Seattle, and to see RKS with me. Let’s just say I am growing more and more antsy as the days grow shorter.
Doors open at 8:30 PM and the show begins at 9:00 PM with a performance from Caamp. You can find ticket prices and event information here.
You can connect with the band on their website here.
BRIDGET BENEVIDES| SO EXCITED | KXSU Music Reporter