Mon, Jul 4, 2022 at 4:00 am. Alan Sculley There's nothing better than being front row for a Rainbow Kitten Surprise show. They had started playing shows around the Boone area and . Although the group of Carolinians frontman Sam Melo, Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, Ethan Goodpaster, Jess Haney and . In January 2020, the long-running PBS show Austin City Limits aired Rainbow Kitten Surprise in a half-hour set recorded the previous fall. 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. 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 . On this weekend, the quintet from North Carolina will perform at Boston Calling. $28.27. And Ethan ended up getting into the band and he was like, 'Well, my roommate used to play drums and he might be able to help us out with a few shows. 02:32 . She is, indeed, a trans woman, she stated as she revealed her gender to her fellow human beings. Im grateful to be able to express who I truly am and share in this moment with you.. Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. I feel like we are the most blessed to be able to play. Play. 2023 LIVE NATION WORLDWIDE, INC. . 8. Prior to its release, Rainbow Kitten Surprise also issued the 2019 stand-alone single "Our Song.". The Caribbean island is where frontman Sam Melo, whose parents were missionaries, spent seven years of his childhood before circumstances forced a permanent move back to the U.S. 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.. . With catchy, yet deep lyrical meaning, beautifully designed bass lines, and melodic guitar riffs, their unique sound will keep you humming their tunes all day long. Straight from the bluegrass hotbed of Boone, North Carolina . Ela Melo, the lead singer for the popular alternative/indie rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise, revealed she has found her authentic self in coming out as transgender. Sam Melo (lead vocals) - Darrick "Bozzy" Keller (guitar, vocals) - Ethan Goodpaster (lead guitar, vocals) Charlie Holt (bass, vocals . The Troubadour is located in West Hollywood, the historic gay district of Los Angeles. His spot was kind of a transitory period for us. We had few friends back here. But back to the Bustelo question. The band is made up of singer-songwriter Sam Melo, bassist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, drummer Jesse Wells, and guitarist Richarddriver. 70 following. Im happy to share with you that I am trans. 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. You're always blindsided by it. Ela Melo, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, a popular alternative rock band, recently came out as lesbian. Hi everyone! "Me and Ethan went to high school together, and we kind of played in my basement and did covers of random things. On August 13, 2021, Rainbow Kitten Surprise released the live album RKS! Rainbow Kitten Surprise is a band that defies all definition. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy & Cookie Policy as well as our Terms of Use. All of the things that were hinted at for this last one will get fleshed out. // Do Not Sell My Personal Information This year has seen the deaths of stars and icons, but we honor their memory by highlighting them. BY CONTINUING PAST THIS PAGE YOU AGREE TO OUR By VinStyleRe. But after a while it becomes, you're playing shows every night, you're having to do these press things on the days in between, you gotta always portray because everybody that is coming at you is coming from the perspective of success, like "Wow, congratulations, you're making it." No mentally. I'm Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. In fact, as commitments go, he thought it was as minimal as it gets. There's so much of it down here but I keep forgetting it's actually from New York. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging schools to incorporate transgenderism and LGBT education into their curricula. [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 . Safe travels to you. The band name was created by a friend who was on a morphine drip at the time, recently out of surgery. Sometimes life is a grind of the best possible espresso you can put into a percolator. Somebody will grab the phone and somebody will read it out loud and everyone listens. "Seven + Mary" was their first and most folky album, which combined haunting melodies with the unique and striking voice of lead vocalist Sam Melo. Their songs are often filled with clever wordplay and heartfelt lyrics. 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. So we were moving back in the Summer of 2006 and I was about 14, we stayed down there for about a week because we still didn't have a home yet. In 2013, Melo and Keller had self-released a three-song EP, Mary, and the band followed that with a self-released full-length, Seven. Click for more. While Holt has been openly trans for some time now, Melo only came out as gay alongside the release of Rainbow Kitten Surprise's 2018 album, How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. I think where it comes from is the place that I'm at when I'm writing. She sounds happier, but shes still singing the same song. Even by this early stage, there were signs RKS might balloon beyond a just-for-fun . Participation in this event is entirely at your own risk. Speech therapy usually only effects talking, not singing, though speech therapy for trans women is essentially vocal training, I underwent it for a little while a few years back. Arriving in 2018, the band's breakout full-length debut for Elektra, "How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. // Cookie Policy (Robbinsville, North Carolina is the hometown of Jess Haney and Ethan Goodpaster.) It features 13 tracks, including the single "Hide", the music video of which depicts four drag queens coming out to their families. We hadn't been in the South for a long time. Orange Road, Emmarentia, Johannesburg 2195. One day we were all sitting in Boone and the next thing we were touring the world. . Rainbow Kitten Surprise's Tampa concert moved from Orpheum to The Ritz Ybor City. The sound of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, or RKS, as their fans call them, is hard to define. 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 most beloved indie-rock acts of the late 2010s and early 2020s. 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. They announced earlier this week that their tour had sold out in less than a week. Figure out how to enjoy your own show. Can you expand on that? Their music style is a mix of folk, pop, and rock. My assumption is that you wrote How Tosuper fast in South Carolina. ', "I always thought it was funny that I was insistent that I was only going to do one show," Haney said. Live from Athens Georgia. It's not a daily thing, you're never like, ok well here's that sad story for the day. Due to the accusations, the band was forced to cancel several tour dates, raising questions about whether or not it sincerely apologizes for what happened. Yeah, so Tampa is kind of a city I only know in a very limited fashion. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. When Jess Haney was asked to join Rainbow Kitten Surprise while its band members were in college at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., he certainly wasn't thinking it would be a long-term commitment. For their first evening in Chicago, they pulled out all the stops and gave their fans a flawless performance. Relishing in the opportunity before them, RKS have truly taken ownership of who they are to the point where they're . According to couples, men typically want more sexual activity. Address: Orange Road, Emmarentia, Johannesburg 2195. These North Carolina-based festival favorites mix exuberant indie pop and earnest folk-rock. Rainbow Kitten Surprise live in South Africa!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.Rainbow Kitten Surprise recently released the emotionally charged track "Work Out," marking the band's first new music in nearly two years. As a result, many of the songs on their albums contain spiritual imagery, such as references to God, angels and heaven. Or these are 2 different people? [7] The single "Fever Pitch" from the album climbed to number 34th on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart in spring 2018. No coolerboxes. Over the past couple of years, I've been doing some major soul searching in the pursuit of my authentic self.I'm happy to share with you that I am trans. In addition to championing equality via their music, the band has frequently partnered with Equality NC, the oldest statewide organization in the country dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights, donating portions of ticket and merch sales to the nonprofit. By 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? 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. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Rainbow Kitten Surprise With chilling harmonies, dynamic instrumentation, and introspective lyrics, their distinct sound takes influence from artists like Modest Mouse and Kings of Leon. They have more than 3.3 million monthly streamers on Spotify, with their upcoming tour taking them across the country and to several premier music festivals. But not every day feels like that, so how do you keep positive things flowing out your mouth without expressing, "Wow, yes, sometimes this is hard," or how do you play shows back to back-to-back every night and how do you still get into it? Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an indie rock band from North Carolina, and their music has been described as a mix of folk, pop, and rock. 33 cities. 'Bout twenty more I'll be forty-four, head back to Tampa Bay. 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. . Scroll to read more Music Stories & Interviews articles. Although Rainbow Kitten Surprise is not a Christian band, their music may appeal to Christian audiences due to its positive messages and uplifting lyrics. While the band does not have an explicitly religious ideology, it has been noted that some of their music does touch on spiritual and religious themes. We regret to announce, that due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight's show with Rainbow Kitten Surprise has been canceled. In 2010, the band was accused of plagiarism after their song Fantasy resembled another artists work. They definitely do, more than even with "Hide," which was kind of personal, but "Painkillers" is one of those on the record that definitely people's stories played into it. It makes me so happy to see fellow trans people living as themselves authentically, and you will always have my support., Ive never met kinder or more welcoming people, another commenter said. "I think the (time) restraint was probably good for us," Haney said. The rest of the Rainbow Kitten Surprise bandmates also introduced themselves and revealed what they identify as in their social media post Wednesday. The Boy Scouts Of America Under Pressure To Allow Gay Men To Serve, Is Jack Skellington Gay? armed forces vacation club for veterans 082 825 4557; welsh keith brymer jones wife zapperstore.xyz@gmail.com Tbf earlier all I knew was that the lead singer had this gorgeous beard and that's how I knew who is the singer, not by the name. "Yeah, it was zero to 100 for us, really," Haney said. I killed a man there, in spite, and when he died, I took his place. I think youve only played Florida twice. While their music does not necessarily have overtly Christian themes, many of the band members have been vocal about their Christian faith. We wish them the best and hope to see them back in SLC again soon. Liking Bridget Jones: Does It Mean Im Gay? It's an effort to try to control your thoughts and make some sense of what's going on. They're as big a surprise as their name and, when they took the stage at First Avenue, the surprises kept on coming. And hopefully, that comes out of the next record. That those are your problems. Memoriam 2022, which will take place in Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A rigorous support tour followed, including a sold-out stop at Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a series of shows in Athens, Georgia, which were later compiled into the 2021 concert album RKS! Once you get over that search and you get heartbroken by it, you realize all of the tools that are now at your disposal. The group held its earlier rehearsals in Boone, North Carolina . All you gotta do is just pour some cream on top and chug it. So you didn't feel constrained, it worked out for you then? Rainbow Kitten Surprise-a band name you don't easily forget. That's awesome. From $1.46. I've come to understand it differently. Any actual connection? "I mean, I think we just move fast," said Sam Melo, one of the band's . I will do my best to solve the issue. 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. . 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. music festival marks formal launch of San Antonio venue The Espee, Live Music in San Antonio This Week: Silversun Pickups, Epik High, Marisela and more, Comedian George Lopez is returning to San Antonio's Majestic Theatre this summer, San Antonio punk band Fea composed original music for new play debuting at Public Theater, Live Music in San Antonio This Week: August Burns Red, Inner Wave, Thy Art Is Murder and more, Celebrate Bowie tour with Peter Murphy and Adrian Belew coming to San Antonio's Tobin Center. 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.. . It is said to mix indie rock and roll, hip-hop, electronic music, and pop influences in its music. Mike Stunson covers real-time news for McClatchy. "I got into the band through Ethan," Haney said, referencing guitarist Ethan Goodpaster during a recent phone interview. We always love Austin City Limits debuts, and it's even better with a young band as fresh and exciting as Rainbow Kitten Surprise. and help keep the future of the Observer, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our, Dallas Observer's The Morning After Brunch. Rainbow Kitten Surprise Fashion Casual Navel,Funny Women_s Personality Sticker. I was like 'OK, I'll do one show with you guys and then we'll figure it out from there. I'm always under the assumption that the band life is never is as glamorous as you think it is. Fergie: An Icon For The LGBTQ+ Community And One Tree Hill Fans, The Never-Ending Debate: Exploring Franklin Jonas Sexuality And Its Impact, Is The Navy Ready To Be Gay Friendly An In-Depth Look At The Navys LGBT Policies, Mariah From Sister Wives: Breaking Down Stereotypes About Polygamy And Sexuality, Is Fred Gay? And then find our home, which usually was North Carolina. It was just kind of a thing I did in high school with my friends. People who are brainstorming how to heap as much food as they can onto as many plates as possible have a lot to think about. Two members frontman Sam Melo and guitarist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller went to visit a friend in the hospital who had bacterial meningitis and gave him the honor of dubbing their title. And I feel like you've always said it in your music, your answer is to just be yourself. Before long, Melo and Keller had grown RKS into a full band with Haney, Goodpaster and bassist Charlie Holt. . Because of I definitely still kind of in that mode of wanting to try too many things and given more time it would have ended up being an incomplete 21 songs record. I can't wait to watch her sing in a few weeks . i saw their instagram post and freaked out bc i thought sam left. Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/Sun Seeker. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, a six-month-old kitten, was born at Appalachian State University in North Carolina six years ago. In early 2013, before becoming the full ensemble that is the current Rainbow Kitten Surprise, lead singer Sam Melo and guitarist and backup vocalist Darick "Bozzy" Keller released the band's . Biography. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an American rock band from North Carolina. The two wrote and composed music together as they attended Appalachian State University.The band name was created by a friend who was on a morphine drip at the time, recently out of surgery. Where we would go and huddle up and maybe my dad and one of my brothers, and myself would go get a U-Haul and get our stuff from the airport, or however it was shipped. You heard words like Atlantic and all this stuff, but it's just so hard to make it as a band, even at your level. Well, we have some family up in Minnesota but obviously that is nowhere close to where we were moving to North Carolina. Line-up: Rainbow Kitten Surprise (USA) + Spoegwolf, Shortstraw & Mann Friday (Zimbabwe). [3] They later added three new members, Ethan Goodpaster, Jess Haney, and Charlie Holt. Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/Sun Seeker. Once you get over that search and you get heartbroken by it, you realize all of the tools that are now at your disposal. In the latest episode of Fender Presents, Rainbow Kitten Surprise plays "Work Out" and talks about their hometown roots, giving back, their greatest inspirat. local news and culture, Augusta Rizzardini Rainbow Kitten Surprise performed a sold-out show at the Bomb Factory on Feb. 15, 2019. . Tickets can also be . Rainbow Kitten Surprise and all five of its members hail from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. Many electric vehicle batteries lose power when its very cold. 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. How much are the fans playing into your mindset? Your band is in such a great position and there is so much for me to think about and I also wanted to congratulate you onHow to: Friend, Love, Freefall. No food. He is a 2011 Western Kentucky University graduate who has previously worked at the Paducah Sun and Madisonville Messenger as a sports reporter and the Lexington Herald-Leader as a breaking news reporter. 264k Followers, 70 Following, 116 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Rainbow Kitten Surprise (@rksbandofficial) rksbandofficial. Three years ago, when Rainbow Kitten Surprise sold out Visulite Theatre, . Appalachian State University offers up and coming student musicians the opportunity to record, publicize and more for free with the school's own record label, Split Rail Records. "It was all just very surreal," Haney said. "Devil Like Me" went on to get radio play, as did two songs from RKS "Cocaine Jesus" and "Lady Lie" propelling Rainbow Kitten Surprise onto tours and appearances at notable festivals including Bonnaroo and Sasquatch. "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 . Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Things have happened fast since then for the band, which got its unique name when someone's hospitalized, heavily medicated friend inexplicably kept repeating the phrase Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images She has performed in the theater for 20 years in nearly 50 plays in London, Scotland, Chile, NYC, Chicago, Miami & Tampa. 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. Im Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Thanks for sharing that story. Ultimately, Rainbow Kitten Surprises music is open to interpretation, and it is up to the listener to decide whether or not they find spiritual meaning in their songs. What happens is, I learn different things that I'm interested in, like for the last record I got really interested in jazz drumming and the beats, the meters they're in, the different time signatures and playing around with that and usually I go down those avenues for a while until the band snaps me back into reality and it's like, "Oh shit we've got this show to put on, we've got a job to do." How do you find time to practice between working jobs or school?". With catchy, yet deep lyrical meaning, beautifully designed bass lines, and melodic guitar riffs, their unique sound will keep you humming their tunes all day long. 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. [2] Their first EP, Mary, was recorded in a dorm room at the university. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an indie rock band based out of Boone, North Carolina. Steven Loftin finds out how they went from obscurity to their first sell-out London show.