Many great bands have emerged from Rainbow Kitten Surprises home state of North Carolina (Ben Folds Five, Avett Brothers and Superchunk are a few that come to mind), but the Boone-based outfits rise to becoming a festival favorite thats selling out clubs across the country had to run through the Dominican Republic first. When it comes to Rainbow Kitten Surprise, just remember the old axiom to never judge a book by its cover. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Its really exciting to see the band thriving and doing so well and it brings me a ton of joy every time I listen to your music.. Follow. Do you feel any kind of responsibility in hearing their stories? The tour opens in South Carolina where you essentially wrote the album, but then the next stop is here in Tampa Bay and I wanted to ask you about (your song) "Goodnight Chicago", the lyric says, Twenty years to see New York reflected on subway trains. Arriving in 2018, the band's breakout full-length debut for Elektra, "How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. It was incredible. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It was weird. By anibendod. Formed in an Appalachian State dorm room in 2013 by singer Sam Melo and guitarist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, the duo recorded and self-released their acoustic EP, Mary . Formed in 2013 by college students Sam Melo and Darrick Keller, Rainbow Kitten Surprise developed a sound that was every bit as colorful as the group's name, eventually becoming one of America's m.. . "I think the (time) restraint was probably good for us," Haney said. For Rainbow Kitten Surprise's lead singer and songwriter Sam Melo - a man who has lived all over the place; including in the Dominican Republic for seven years because he was raised by a . I've come to understand it differently. RKS initially recorded its music under the Split Rail Records label, a student run label at Appalachian State University's Hayes School of Music, where three of the band's members attended. Rainbow Kitten Surprise's May 20th Instagram post touts what was by all measures the group's most successful tour to date: "38 shows. 2023 LIVE NATION WORLDWIDE, INC. After forming in 1972, John Fogerty the singer, guitarist, and songwriting mastermind behind Creedence Clearwater Revival broke up the band. Watch on. [7] The single "Fever Pitch" from the album climbed to number 34th on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart in spring 2018. We always love Austin City Limits debuts, and it's even better with a young band as fresh and exciting as Rainbow Kitten Surprise. // Do Not Sell My Personal Information Obviously, some days we didn't get anything. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an alternative rock indie band, featuring lead vocalist Ela Melo, Darrick "Bozzy" Keller (guitar, backup vocals), Ethan Goodpaster (electric guitar), Jess Haney (drums), and Charlie Holt (bass). Rainbow Kitten Surprise and all five of its members hail from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. I'm sorry if I'm gonna sound dumb, but we're talking about Sam Melo, that came out right now as trans, right? They had started playing shows around the Boone area and wrote and recorded the earliest Rainbow Kitten Surprise songs as a duo. You write a lot about your insecurities that you have on your record, but you also have this you also have a steely side thats resolved itself to pushing the band forward does that come from that time? Sam Melo. And since then I've just been digging into the harmonic series and trying to figure out what makes a sound a sound. Previously unseen footage of Layne Staley performing with Alice In Chains has been made public. A New Dallas Doc Fills in the Blanks on the Spectacular Story of Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Hoosier States Patron Saint, John Mellencamp, Blessed Grand Prairie on Wednesday Night, 10 Best Concerts of the Week: Muse, Carrie Underwood, Buddy Guy and More. Get our top picks for the best events in San Antonio every Thursday morning. However, there is one feature that is present throughout each of the group's songs - a captivating story. They later added three new members, Ethan Goodpaster . "Seven + Mary" was their first and most folky album, which combined haunting melodies with the unique and striking voice of lead vocalist Sam Melo. Rainbow Kitten Surprise consists of Sam Melo, Darrick 'Bozzy' Keller, Ethan Goodpaster, Jess Haney and Charlie Holt. "It was life changing," says Sam Melo, RKS's firecracker of a lead singer whose emotive and powerful croon, fire-spitting raps, and unpredictable dervish dance moves make . This tale of internal conflict is particularly relevant for both the band and this particular show. In 2018, Rainbow Kitten Surprise became one of just a few bands to originally be booked for a show at the Top Hat in Missoula, but sell out so quickly that we had to move the show to The Wilma. As lead singer Sam Melo spent most of his childhood in the Caribbean islands with his missionary parents . Spiritual warfare informs Sam Melo's music. Become a member to support the independent voice of Dallas Three years ago, when Rainbow Kitten Surprise sold out Visulite Theatre, . Click for more. Frontman Sam Melo's dexterous lyrics delivered over the band's uniquely narrative playstyle condenses a vast expanse of emotions and experiences into a cohesive, consumable performance. The rest of Rainbow Kitten Surprises bandmates also revealed what they identify as. There wasn't a seat remaining as the lights dimmed in the Tennessee Theatre. In this album, Rainbow Kitten Surprise continues to evolve and change their music style while maintaining the core elements of what always makes their music great. The Alternative/Indie-Pop band takes influence from great artists like Modest Mouse, Lana Del Rey, and Kings of Leon. [9], In April 2019, RKS performed at several venues across North Carolina to raise funds for Equality NC, the country's oldest statewide LGBT equality organization.[10]. "Rainbow Kitten Surprise on their fast road to fame and unforgettable name", "Rainbow Kitten Surprise hometown, biography", "Alternative/indie-pop band signs with Appalachian's Split Rail Records", "Director Kyle Thrash Takes Fans Inside Rainbow Kitten Surprise's Emotional 'Hide' Video", "Rainbow Kitten Surprise | How to: Friend, Love, Freefall | the New Album", "Rainbow Kitten Surprise on Instagram: 'Just a little reminder that our upcoming run starts in less than 2 weeks! Over the past couple of years, Ive been doing some major soul searching in the pursuit of my authentic self. Tickets can also be . It's all fun. We love you so much!! 17. Im so glad she finally feels comfortable to be her true self! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Rainbow Kitten Surprise appeared on the show, and even though the group was eliminated in the first round of competition, the appearance brought a notable measure of exposure. That was the understanding that I had. That was pretty rough going down there as a kid, going from first world comfort to the third world. Hi everyone! Associated Press. History. I'm going live from inside to show admiration, pay respect and donations to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and their partners. Right on. On July 14, 2020, RKS played a livestream concert. Right of Admission Reserved. "I got into the band through Ethan," Haney said, referencing guitarist Ethan Goodpaster during a recent phone interview. You never think that when you put words on to a paper that anybody else is going to pick it up and say word for word, that's me, and identify with it. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The Scroll to read more Show Previews articles, When we went down in '99, it was like this is home now and at least until me and my three brothers were old enough to move back stateside on our own, that's where we'd be living. How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. . The alternative band will perform at the famous music venue on Monday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 12, concert promoter AEG Presents announced Monday. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is a popular indie-rock band that has made waves in the music scene with their unique sound and style. The band opened with one of the marquee tracks off of their most recent release, "It's Called: Freefall," a haunting folk-rock-tinged song that addresses internal conflict. You don't tend to hole up by yourself and write lyrics when you're happy. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, a five-piece band currently based in Boone, was formed in early 2013 when Sam Melo and Darrick "Bozzy" Keller decided to begin writing and composing . The Split Rail label was founded in 2005. Rainbow Kitten Surprise Sticker. People who are b. If you haven't heard yet, we are so excited to have partnered', Rainbow Kitten Surprise [@RKSBandOfficial], "Hi everyone! The video, which in part contains a micro-documentary directed by Kyle Thrash, follows four drag queens in New Orleans throughout their day to day life. Does that feel like a burden for you as your fan base grows and is very devoted to the band? As a result, many of the songs on their albums contain spiritual imagery, such as references to God, angels and heaven. I killed a man there, in spite, and when he died, I took his place. I think youve only played Florida twice. But you guys have tons of it, I'm sure. "Work Out" arrived alongside a lyric video, handwritten by RKS frontperson Ela Melo. In 2010, the band was accused of plagiarism after their song Fantasy resembled another artists work. I don't understand the culture. Sam Melo, second from left, brings Rainbow Kitten Surprise to the Fillmore. Then a couple of years later we're doing it with Jay Joyce in Nashville in like this incredible studio with all of this [label] support behind us. Their first EP, Mary, was recorded in a dorm room at the university. The two wrote and composed music together as they attended Appalachian State University. Was it bad circumstances that you left the Dominican. She is responsible for overseeing the bands growth, having worked with them since their inception in 2013 and assisting them with their success. RKS 'Work Out' available now! [8] In spring and summer 2018, the group toured the US and Canada to promote the album. Although the group of Carolinians frontman Sam Melo, Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, Ethan Goodpaster, Jess Haney and . Hailing from the Blue Ridge Mountain college town of Boone, North Carolina, Rainbow Kitten Surprise play a fervent mix of bright indie pop and earnest, harmony-driven folk-rock. On March 30, 2022, the band's lead singer came out as transgender.[11]. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. This was their first of the year because of the cancellation of many events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We had few friends back here. (Courtesy Matthew Salacuse) By Tom Lanham . Songs like Six and Fever Pitch are often cited as being particularly LGBT-friendly, with themes of unrequited love, acceptance and identity. 02:32 . Sam Melo (lead vocals) - Darrick "Bozzy" Keller (guitar, vocals) - Ethan Goodpaster (lead guitar, vocals) Charlie Holt (bass, vocals . Sign up for our Events Newsletter. The band is scheduled to play a sold-out show at New Braunfels' Whitewater Amphitheater on Saturday, July 9. Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. $25 & up. No coolerboxes. I'm sorry if I'm gonna sound dumb, but we're talking about Sam Melo, that came out right now as trans, right? In particular, the song Killing for Love has been interpreted as an allegory about finding solace in faith and discovering inner peace. I've come to understand it differently. You just played a show or you're just traveling or bullshitting, or whatever and it always comes up and somebody reads it and it's like holy shit guys look at this message that somebody just sent us. Yvonne Gougelet is a playwright, theater producer, actress, activist and political & music journalist. Im Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. The expansion resulted in the bigger, more energetic sound heard on their debut album, Seven, which was later repackaged with their EP in a release called Seven + Mary. I was just talking about this with my bassist last night, you encounter different sets of problems the further you go. Facebook screengrab We hadn't been in the South for a long time. "It all just happened so fast. The crooning voice we all love so much (: Ansley Elizabeth Photography) 288. Or these are 2 different people? . The "Rainbow Kitten Surprise Presale Presale" will go on sale Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. Tickets will cost $39.50 for Lawn seating and $45.50 for the Rapids Section. Just working with Jay and Jason and the whole crew just opened my eyes to what kind of sonic avenues there were. 10201 fans Top tracks. Excited for the new music from the band. The Boy Scouts Of America Under Pressure To Allow Gay Men To Serve, Is Jack Skellington Gay? That's just how they like it. They are known for their captivating live performances, which often involve elaborate costumes and choreographed dance . If you have three days to make it, you'll make it in three days. Before Rainbow Kitten Surprise's sold-out show at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul last month, I met up with Sam Melo (lead vocals and keys) and Charlie Holt (bass). This single marked their first release as a band since May 2019. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. I'm glad that it's doing something for people, that people can relate to it. By the time I reached that period, especially with this last record, I just started furiously writing down pages of lyrics, the guys came back and was like, "Sam, you don't have to rewrite a whole other album, look at what we already have. They entered their dogs in fights and watched them die. Melo, who was raised half in Appalachian North Carolina and half in a Dominican Republic mission, belted out the lyrics with every fiber of his being, driving home the importance of embracing your truth while the crowd sang along. Popular Sam Melo songs. VOILA!Rainbow Kitten Surprise's Tampa concert moved from Orpheum to The Ritz Ybor City. I was thinking about this performance today when I saw the bands post on Insta, that was an unforgettable show and it makes me so happy ela feels comfortable being her true self . 04. Im happy to share with you that I am trans. The band's Pride Weekend performance at the Troubadour was a truly spectacular celebration of equality, community, and love - not to mention a kickass rock show. Hi everyone! Fri, Sep 14, 2018 at 12:09 pm. The building shook as the crowded room stomped along to Holt's pulsing bass, sending their love through every floorboard of the venue. Or these are 2 different people? We had few friends back here. Suddenly, the five musicians found themselves driving to Nashville, where they all now live, setting up shop in the high-end Neon Cross Studios and working with one of the city's most in-demand producers, Jay Joyce. My pronouns are she/her. Well, if you keep selling out each show, then Atlantic is going to have to give you more than two-and-a-half weeks in the studio to get it done, right? When you consider some of its subject matter songs like "Cocaine Jesus" come to mind the name really is a bit of a "Surprise.". That those are your problems. I still had dial-up till a year after we moved back, so MySpace hit me pretty hard. They're as big a surprise as their name and, when they took the stage at First Avenue, the surprises kept on coming. May 7, 2019. In this article, we will explore the evidence behind the rumors, and examine whether there is any truth to the speculation that the lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise is, in fact, gay. . Especially in a place of uncertainty. She sounds happier, but shes still singing the same song. Up to the point Haney joined the band, Rainbow Kitten Surprise had been the duo of singer Sam Melo and guitarist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller. This came after she announced on March 30 that the band would embark on a highly anticipated tour right before the end of the month. The band name was created by a friend who was on a morphine drip at the time, recently out of surgery. The song's . The opening track was a slow-burn, but once Sam Melo danced his way to stage, the front of the crowd came alive at "It's Called: Freefall." Twirls, drops, rapid-fire harmonies ensued. Over the past couple of years, Ive been doing some major soul searching in the pursuit of my authentic self. . RKS are the indie rock heroes we deserve. No large umbrellas or gazebos are allowed. Founded In. All of the things that were hinted at for this last one will get fleshed out. It just sounds great. 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Check out Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas in Las Vegas on May 26, 2022 and get detailed info for the event - tickets, photos, video and reviews. It was just kind of a thing I did in high school with my friends. Formed in 2013 by college students Sam Melo and Darrick Keller, Rainbow Kitten Surprise developed a sound that was every bit as colorful as the group's name, eventually becoming one of America's m.. . Genre-defying, live sensations Rainbow Kitten Surprise announce South African Tour Dates for March 2023 including a show at the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on Friday 10 March 2023. Line-up: Rainbow Kitten Surprise (USA) + Spoegwolf, Shortstraw & Mann Friday (Zimbabwe). Buy Rainbow Kitten Surprise's album titled How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. independent local journalism in Dallas. Reading Between The Lines In The New Scooby-Doo Movie. It's like two years old but just brush the dust off and it will be good." With an eclectic sound that draws elements from classic folk, hip-hop, and rock, the band is a veritable chameleon in the world of popular music. The album is built around this narrative about how hard it is to pay bills as a musician, it started out as a different idea and you've mentioned this pressure that comes with being a band, basically gone from becoming locally famous after Bozz asked you to play the Galileo show and now you have PR, festival dates, this following, how are you coping this last year, after writing this album, releasing it and going on this tour? basically using musical vocal techniques to raise the pitch of your voice to sound more feminine in everyday social scenarios. You're always blindsided by it. And there are just so many details there are into making a good sounding record. She made the announcement on Instagram just a few days before the bands tour began. The Alternative/Indie-Pop band takes influence from great artists . By VinStyleRe. RKS independently released its first album, Seven, which was later re-released together with the band's first EP as a joint album called Seven + Mary. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. I was so shocked! Even by this early stage, there were signs RKS might balloon beyond a just-for-fun . While the bands music has earned them widespread acclaim, one member in particular has stirred up a bit of controversy: the lead singer, Sam Melo. Sam Melo, the lead singer, took the stage with the lyrics and bent down to pray during the ominous and richly emotional Holy War . By danielmorez. Rumors have swirled for years about Melos sexuality, with some claiming that he is gay. Live from Athens Georgia. Participation in this event is entirely at your own risk. Learning how to navigate the technology and capabilities that come with a true professional studio wasn't the only challenge for Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Their live performances are renowned for their high-energy, raw emotion, and often times, humor. . The Ritz, 1503 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City. Yvonne Gougelet . So once I was a teenager, everything else was a faint glimmer, I didn't really understand The States, so coming back was a rough transition for sure. She has written, produced, directed &performed in four original plays. It's all good. Hide has been elevated by the LGBT community as an anthem but front man Sam Melo says it was never meant as an anthem but more just about his own journey of self discovery. These are things that I've come to piece together afterward. In fact, as commitments go, he thought it was as minimal as it gets. Actor Elliot Page slams Texas officials for calling trans health care child abuse, Teacher suspended for not using a students he/him pronouns now sues Kansas district, Support my work with a digital subscription, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather, Murdaugh verdict sends a Lowcountry message: No one is above the law | Opinion, Mail carrier cant believe his eyes after seeing NC lottery win. Though each Rainbow Kitten Surprise show has a compelling narrative, we were lucky enough to catch a performance that had a particularly relevant message. TERMS OF USE. That's the thing, Jay and I talked about this, somebody said the first day, so if you have nine months to make a record it's going to take you nine months to make a record. The band consists of Sam Melo, Darrick Keller, Charlie Holt, Jess Haney, and Caleb Elder. Their mix of tight instrumental chops and jam band finesse helped earn them a strong grassroots following and, after a couple of indie releases, they . How do you find time to practice between working jobs or school?". BY CONTINUING PAST THIS PAGE YOU AGREE TO OUR Rainbow Kitten Surprise (RKS) is an American indie rock band that was formed in Boone, North Carolina in 2013. [2] Their first EP, Mary, was recorded in a dorm room at the university. [Verse 1] Am F Hey pretty Momma don't you leave me like that C Bring it on back, bring it on back Am F Love me don't leave me, don't you leave me like that C Bring it on back, bring it on back [Chorus] Am 'Cause you're high, you're low F C You're fine but you don't say anything Am F Well you've got my heart in your hands C And your love in . Rainbow Kitten Surprise prepares to unleash a burst of musical influences at The Jones Assembly. Im Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. The group then worked out a deal with Split Rail Records, a student-run label at Appalachian State's Hayes School of Music, and in 2015, released the album RKS. Everyone uses it down here in Florida. Its like 2 AM and the bars all close at ten in hell, thats a rule I made'Anyway, you say youre too busy saving everybody else to save yourselfAnd you dont want no help, oh wellThats the story to tell". The band has had a meteoric rise since their formation in 2013, with their debut album making it to the top of the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and they have since gone on to tour the world and perform at festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. It's like two years old but just brush the dust off and it will be good." 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. So happy for her! My pronouns are she/her. They're songs that Sam [Melo] wrote before Rainbow Kitten Surprise was a thing. Unfortunately, Rainbow Kitten Surprise will not be able to reschedule this event. Happy birthday to Sam Melo! turns out shes still there and i love it for her:)). They always say, "The devil's in the details." Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. That's awesome. I don't know if that's the way this next record is going to come together but given our history, I feel like maybe that right now it's still that gestation period I'm curious to know what's going to come out on the other side of the rabbit hole. 04. ElA you are beautiful! 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