It's like two years old but just brush the dust off and it will be good." Rainbow Kitten Surprise is a band that defies all definition. And I feel like you've always said it in your music, your answer is to just be yourself. 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. 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? On March 30, 2022, the band's lead singer came out as transgender.[11]. With an ever-growing following, Ela Rainbow Kitten Surprise is sure to keep producing captivating music for years to come. Boy, do we have a surprise for you a Rainbow Kitten Surprise to exact. 04. Well, we have some family up in Minnesota but obviously that is nowhere close to where we were moving to North Carolina. The band sold out the Georgia Theatre. (Courtesy Matthew Salacuse) By Tom Lanham . Rainbow Kitten Surprise's (RSK) recording will be the eighth album produced and released by Split Rail Records since 2008. Fans of the band appreciate their unique sound and the way they bring a sense of joy and fun to their music. In fact, Melo publicly came out through one of the tracks off of the project, "Hide." Singer Sam Melo and guitarist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, started the band in their Appalachian State University dorm room and self-released their first EP, "Mary," in 2013. Rainbow Kitten Surprise | Artist Profile | C&I An Idea Agency local news and culture, Augusta Rizzardini It's incredible that this is what life is. Are you still going into these "rabbit hole states are you able to work when you are in them? Or these are 2 different people? Rainbow Kitten Surprise has also been involved in various Pride events, such as playing at the Los Angeles Pride Parade in 2016. It was weird. "I mean, I think we just move fast," said Sam Melo, one of the band's . Rainbow Kitten Surprise on their fast road to fame and unforgettable In January 2020, the long-running PBS show Austin City Limits aired Rainbow Kitten Surprise in a half-hour set recorded the previous fall. How to: Friend, Love, Freefall by Rainbow Kitten Surprise | CD | Barnes Being able to share my experiences while remaining true to my LGBTQ identity excites me. We had few friends back here. 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. Each of the queens conceals their identities for a variety of reasons, citing fear of bodily harm or damaging familial relationships. What's more, it was the first time all five band members were involved in the creative process from the ground up. These North Carolina-based festival favorites mix exuberant indie pop and earnest folk-rock. I'm grateful to be able to express who I truly am and share in this moment with you. Saturday's All Aboard! They are known for their captivating live performances, which often involve elaborate costumes and choreographed dance . Although the bands members identities have not been publicly discussed, their music has often been interpreted as being LGBT-friendly. History. Or these are 2 different people? Fender Presents: Rainbow Kitten Surprise | Fender - YouTube 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. On the track, Melo sings, "Called to the devil and the devil said, 'Hey, why you been calling this late? Ray Roa 264K followers. In May 2019, RKS released Mary (B-Sides), consisting of a studio recording of "Heart" (a song originally released via YouTube and SoundCloud in 2014) and the track "No Vacancy". 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. 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. May 6, 2018. "Me and Ethan went to high school together, and we kind of played in my basement and did covers of random things. Follow. No coolerboxes. With catchy and deeply lyrical meaning, beautifully designed bass lines, and melodic guitar riffs, their unique sound will keep you humming their tunes all day long. "It was like, we did RKS. Sam Melo (lead vocals) - Darrick "Bozzy" Keller (guitar, vocals) - Ethan Goodpaster (lead guitar, vocals) Charlie Holt (bass, vocals . The move to Elektra put the band on a different level. Thank you for your taking the time and we look forward to seeing you guys at The Orpheum, (Now playing the Ritz due to popular demand), when you guys come down to Ybor City for pretty much the tour kickoff. 'Rainbow Kitten Surprise' defies genre at Tennessee Theatre As a son of missionary parents, Melo spent seven years of his childhood in the Dominican Republic before moving back to the United States, ultimately attending Appalachian State University in N.C. Rainbow Kitten Surprise hail from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, and have been regarded as one of the rising alternative rock bands in the United States. thanks to their energetic performances, and frontman Sam Melo's impressive dance moves. Happy for her! The Truth About Margaritas: Is It Gay For Men To Drink Them? The Boy Scouts Of America Under Pressure To Allow Gay Men To Serve, Is Jack Skellington Gay? "Yeah, we were pumping out a song a day and it felt good. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Play. Rainbow Kitten Surprise | iHeart Saw her in Newport and I was on the barrier. Apple store abruptly closes at Northlake Mall, in latest blow to struggling NC site, Something new is heading to the former Lulus restaurant space in Plaza Midwood, How to Watch Donald Trumps CPAC 2023 Speech-Time, Schedule and Livestream, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Chris Rock to finally have his say in new stand-up special, Reports: 3 children dead, 2 wounded in attack at Texas home, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South. By Facebook screengrab Ela Melo, the lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, came out as transgender in a social media post on Wednesday, March 30. Straight from the bluegrass hotbed of Boone, North Carolina . Rainbow Kitten Surprise, also known as RKS (Return to Rainbow Kitten), is a musical phenomenon that many people consider to be a musical phenomenon. RKS are the indie rock heroes we deserve. Live Sessions: Rainbow Kitten Surprise Liking Bridget Jones: Does It Mean Im Gay? Participation in this event is entirely at your own risk. Rainbow Kitten Surprise - Mary - EP Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius The two wrote and composed music together as they attended Appalachian State University. Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas I don't know, it was a lot of fun.". So once that reality sets in then it becomes a little bit more productive. 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. Like can you say him in a song? On August 13, 2021, Rainbow Kitten Surprise released the live album RKS! And then we built . CANCELLED: Rainbow Kitten Surprise - Salt Lake City Arts Council Biography. Relishing in the opportunity before them, RKS have truly taken ownership of who they are to the point where they're . Songs like Six and Fever Pitch are often cited as being particularly LGBT-friendly, with themes of unrequited love, acceptance and identity. Hailing from the Blue Ridge Mountain college town of Boone, North Carolina, Rainbow Kitten Surprise play a mix of bright indie pop and earnest, harmony-driven folk-rock. So happy for her! No food. San Diego Gay & Lesbian News (SDGLN) is the top-read news source for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community of San Diego. A year of heavy touring followed and yielded the 2021 concert album RKS! HEART UKULELE by Rainbow Kitten Surprise - Ultimate Guitar Sign up for our Events Newsletter. Watch on. This story was originally published March 31, 2022, 9:40 AM. The band consists of Sam Melo, Darrick Keller, Charlie Holt, Jess Haney, and Caleb Elder. 'Bout twenty more I'll be forty-four, head back to Tampa Bay. Rainbow Kitten Surprise Band Music Tour Poster. If I hear of a Bustelo connection, I will definitely help get that sponsorship for you guys. 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. 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 on Audiotree . I'm extremely confused as I almost never get any closer to learn more about the band and just now I've learned how she was named and that now her name is Ela. Exploring The Authenticity Of Being Big Gay : A Discussion. The crowd immediately stood to their feet when they heard the . Excited for the new music from the band. Hi everyone! 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. It's all fun. If you're looking for the living embodiment of multi-dimensionality, turn to Sam Melo, lead singer from the band Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Memoriam 2022, which will take place in Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sam Melo on why Rainbow Kitten Surprise's road to rock infamy ran You talked about it being pretty disheartening or defeatist in a way. Sign up for the latest music, videos, tour dates, and more The building shook as the crowded room stomped along to Holt's pulsing bass, sending their love through every floorboard of the venue. The lead vocalist (Sam Melo) seems like someone that is very suited for passionate Americana music and has a similar voice to the frontman of . . [1], Rainbow Kitten Surprise was formed in 2013 by Ela Melo and Darrick Keller. Nah, I was pretty much in my own world, to be honest. For their first evening in Chicago, they pulled out all the stops and gave their fans a flawless performance. Like if somebody loses a friend and somehow our music is cathartic to them, go for it, man. Mon, Jul 4, 2022 at 4:00 am. 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. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Over the past couple of years, I've been doing some major soul searching in the pursuit of my authentic self. It was limbo for me. // Cookie Policy Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an indie-rock band from Boone, North Carolina whose genre-bending sound has taken the music world by storm. And there are just so many details there are into making a good sounding record. i saw their instagram post and freaked out bc i thought sam left. Rainbow Kitten Surprise Biography, Songs, & Albums | AllMusic By Tom Lanham. Frontman Sam Melo has stated that his faith is a major part of his life and that he prays every day for strength and guidance. I can hop out and do press stuff in the middle of that. Rumors have swirled for years about Melos sexuality, with some claiming that he is gay. She sounds happier, but shes still singing the same song. What's In A Name? Rainbow Kitten Surprise Astonishes That was pretty rough going down there as a kid, going from first world comfort to the third world. on The Boone, North Carolina quintet hit the Moody Theater stage in support of its highly acclaimed third album How To: Friend, Love, Freefall, from which comes the hits "Hide" and "Fever Pitch . Rainbow Kitten Surprise lead singer reveals she is - Charlotte Observer Definitely. By danielmorez. From $1.46. Although the group of Carolinians frontman Sam Melo, Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, Ethan Goodpaster, Jess Haney and . 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. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images That was the understanding that I had. In 2010, the band was accused of plagiarism after their song Fantasy resembled another artists work. I think where it comes from is the place that I'm at when I'm writing. Whatever time allotted you have is what you work with. No glass or glass hubblies. I wasn't like a full-time drummer. They later added three new members, Ethan Goodpaster . But I still can't wait to hear what they've got coming next. Figure out how to enjoy your own show. Rainbow Kitten Surprise: albums, songs, playlists | Listen on Deezer And now about her coming out, damn that's brave of her to do that! 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. I'm going live from inside to show admiration, pay respect and donations to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and their partners. Their music style is a mix of folk, pop, and rock. This was the first time I had been back state-side in years and it all felt really foreign to me and it was kind of like this resolution almost, that this is life now and we're making the best of it. Previously unseen footage of Layne Staley performing with Alice In Chains has been made public. 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. 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. Rainbow Kitten Surprise on Apple Music 2023 LIVE NATION WORLDWIDE, INC. 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. The point being, I'll start all of these ideas and show them to the guys and they'll gestate with them for a while and I'll just completely have forgotten about them. It's always a new set of gains. Concert Review: Rainbow Kitten Surprise - WDCV FM . I'm Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. CANCELLED: Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Sept. 17, 7:30 p . 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. 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. In the bands words, we have grown as humans and as a band. Other bands as well as their fans rallied around them in support of them. 33 cities. "I think the (time) restraint was probably good for us," Haney said. Rainbow Kitten Surprise built themselves from the ground up and now they're redefining the boundaries of indie music. Sam Melo and Ethan Goodpaster of Rainbow Kitten Surprise perform on the Lands End Stage during the 2018 Outside Lands Music And Arts Festival at Golden Gate Park on August 12, 2018 in San Francisco,. 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. Fri, Sep 14, 2018 at 12:09 pm. Rainbow Kitten Surprise: The Length Of The Concert I'm Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. It was incredible. Rainbow Kitten Surprise | Howler I think it's cool that people, it always hits ya like the story would. First Boone, then the world: Rainbow Kitten Surprise drummer talks the They announced earlier this week that their tour had sold out in less than a week. Rainbow Kitten Surprise At Red Rocks - LoveCatsTalk.com [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]. SDGLN provides in-depth coverage on issues of importance to the LGBT community and our allies. Was it bad circumstances that you left the Dominican. By TOM KRISHER and MARK THIESSEN Indie-folk band Rainbow Kitten Surprise gets personal during concert at 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. Life is a grind. "It was all just very surreal," Haney said. This was the last stop on their summer tour. On June 9, the North Carolina-based band played an intimate show at The Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA, and Ones to Watch was lucky enough to stop by and see what stories the band had to tell. At first, it's "How do you pay bills? This year has seen the deaths of stars and icons, but we honor their memory by highlighting them. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. When it comes to Rainbow Kitten Surprise, just remember the old axiom to never judge a book by its cover. ", Produced by Grammy Award-winner Jay Joyce (Cage The Elephant, Sleeper Agent), the album featured RIAA-certified Gold single "It's Called: Freefall", and earned widespread praise from Billboard, TIME, Vice, and NPR who described their sound as "a mix of jam and indie and whatever else you can throw into the soupvery earnest, beautiful, political, loving rock n' roll," and saw the band make several national television appearances, including performances on "CBS This Morning Saturday," "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," and PBS's "Austin City Limits.". 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. 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. armed forces vacation club for veterans 082 825 4557; welsh keith brymer jones wife zapperstore.xyz@gmail.com Choose music service. 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. Somewhere in our minds, we're still just the kids playing music in bars in Boone. Sometimes life is a grind of the best possible espresso you can put into a percolator. How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. I'm sorry if I'm gonna sound dumb, but we're talking about Sam Melo, that came out right now as trans, right? Over the past couple of years, I've been doing some major soul searching in the pursuit of my authentic self. 02:32 . 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. Sam Melo and Ethan Goodpaster of Rainbow Kitten Surprise perform on Their music style is a mix of folk, pop, and rock. Though each Rainbow Kitten Surprise show has a compelling narrative, we were lucky enough to catch a performance that had a particularly relevant message. Rainbow Kitten Surprise (@rksbandofficial) posted on - Instagram The crooning voice we all love so much (: Ansley Elizabeth Photography) 288. [8] In spring and summer 2018, the group toured the US and Canada to promote the album. It's Called: Freefall . Thrash has previously performed at Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits. Up to the point Haney joined the band, Rainbow Kitten Surprise had been the duo of singer Sam Melo and guitarist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller. The bandswitty and introspective lyrics complement Alis powerful and emotional voice perfectly. 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". Everything nice | Music Features - Oklahoma Gazette We love you so much!! Founded In. That those are your problems. Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/Sun Seeker. 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. We wish them the best and hope to see them back in SLC again soon. "Yeah, it was zero to 100 for us, really," Haney said. Mon. Sam Melo and Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, decided to begin writing and . Scroll to read more Music Stories & Interviews articles. On April 6, 2022, Rainbow Kitten Surprise released the single "Work Out," their first new single released in nearly 18 months. 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. Ela Melo is the lead vocalist for alt-rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise; she wrote their biggest hit, "It's Called: Freefall.". It's not a daily thing, you're never like, ok well here's that sad story for the day. Im so curious about Elas sound. Obviously, some days we didn't get anything. Right of Admission Reserved. 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. While their music does not necessarily have overtly Christian themes, many of the band members have been vocal about their Christian faith. My pronouns are she/her. Hi everyone! This single marked their first release as a band since May 2019. 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.