Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s selection, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Ampersand” by Kithkin from their self-released EP Takers & Leavers.
If you love drums, primal screaming, and drums AND primal screaming, then chances are you’re already a fan of Kithkin, a quartet of percussionists and vocalists and EMP Sound Off! alumni that seem poised to take Seattle (and beyond) by storm. Part Yeasayer, part Animal Collection, all concrete junglists, you’re hit with a wall of percussion that weaves between controlled chaos and utter mayhem from the moment you hit play. Their name (presumably taken from a quick and agile race of small humanoids –- or elves if you’re into the Magic side of things) seems most apropos when you see them live beating their drums in unison, the blur of their fingers as they strum their guitars, and the veins visible on their necks as they yell into the microphone. They just opened for the Welsh darlings Los Campesinos at Neumos, but no doubt they’ll turn up sooner or later around town. Until then, keep an eye on their Bandcamp page. Here they are performing “Move Slow” at last year’s EMP Sound Off! competition:
One Comment
Very much dig “Ampersand”. Though we debuted another Kithkin single today. Personally, I like it just as much. It’s called “Peacock” http://apesontape.com/exclusive-stream-kithkins-peacock/