Gig Guide: Thu 30th Apr

 

Thu 30th Apr 20:00 CLUB NME :: KILL IT KID :: THE THIRTEENTH REUNION :: DARK SPARKS

Formed for little over a year, Kill It Kid is a storming proposition. Fronted by two astounding vocalists (Chris Turpin and Stephanie Ward) and buttressed with strings, keys and slide guitar, Kill It Kid blend delta blues, folk and contemporary roots and indie, recalling the likes of Mumford & Sons or Bon Iver. ‘Send Me an Angel Down’ is their debut single for One Little Indian Records, and is a precursor to their debut album, due out in early autumn. It’s an indie-folk novella, one that sounds quite unlike anything else at the moment.

Kill It Kid draw similarities to Tom Waits, Anthony Hegarty and The Raconteurs at times, but as a whole the band sound very much their own - an impassioned, adventurous slant on blues and dark pop through powerful songs, gorgeous two-part vocals and a penchant for down-home storytelling.

Kill It Kid formed through old musical friends and projects at Bath Spa University. Vocalist Chris Turpin began performing solo, occasionally joined by drummer Marc Jones and bassist Adam Timmins. Through their social circles at Uni, the band formed in February 2008, debuting in Bath to rapturous acclaim. This prompted visiting lecturer John Parish (PJ Harvey, The Eels) to select Kill It Kid as a band to record with, based on the recommendation of Chris’s college tutor.

The new single and subsequent album is produced by Ryan Hadlock (Foo Fighters, Johnny Flynn, The Strokes, The Gossip) and was recorded in Seattle, at the same studio Fleet Foxes laid down their debut. Already they have supported Ipso Facto, The Virgins, Phoebe Killdear from Nouvelle Vague and Pete and the Pirates. A full UK tour will support the single release, with festival dates to follow in the summer.

13TH Reunion formed in Derby, England in 2008 over a shared love of proper alternative music by the likes of QOTSA and Kings of Leon, the Thirteenth Reunion offer a diverse set of catchy tunes of aggressive subtlety.

If you close your eyes you’ll hear the music become more intense. Dark Sparks always play their songs with the lights off. Weaving sounds of venom, dread and sadness to words that catch in the throat is easy when you’re of the right mindset. A Track of the Week from Steve Lamacq and Kerrang and support slots with The Enemy, Blood Red Shoes and The Subways suggests the world is catching up. To be unpredictable is a beautiful thing.

 

Price: £2 / FREE for NUS
Age Limit: 18+
Buy Tickets
Location: The Rockhouse, Babington Lane, Derby, DE1 1SX

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