That's just how they like it. She has performed in the theater for 20 years in nearly 50 plays in London, Scotland, Chile, NYC, Chicago, Miami & Tampa. Scroll to read more Music Stories & Interviews articles. She has appeared Read his 2016 intro letterand disclosures from 2022 and 2021. On this weekend, the quintet from North Carolina will perform at Boston Calling. Their sound has been influenced by artists such as Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon, Frank Ocean and Schoolboy Q. Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/Sun Seeker. And then we built . The song's beautiful melody line and the effervescent vibe is a stark juxtaposition to its poignant lyrics about the difficult relationships - of all sorts - that people struggle with. ", 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.". The rest of the Rainbow Kitten Surprise bandmates also introduced themselves and revealed what they identify as in their social media post Wednesday. They entered their dogs in fights and watched them die. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is a band that defies all definition. i saw their instagram post and freaked out bc i thought sam left. They always say, "The devil's in the details." Popular Sam Melo songs. All of the things that were hinted at for this last one will get fleshed out. I think it was something we had to get acclimated to a bit.". Yvonne Gougelet As lead singer Sam Melo spent most of his childhood in the Caribbean islands with his missionary parents . After forming in 1972, John Fogerty the singer, guitarist, and songwriting mastermind behind Creedence Clearwater Revival broke up the band. Still, deliver the caliber performance that you are hoping to. The Ritz, 1503 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City. In his childlike post-op haze, their friend proposed the band name themselves "Rainbow Kitten Surprise." Laughs were had, and so it was, and so it remains. 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 was all just very surreal," Haney said. 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. By the time we left, we were pretty broke and it was sort of defeatist, at least from my eyes. 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. It just sounds great. In fact, Melo publicly came out through one of the tracks off of the project, "Hide." Though he wrote the song in 2015, it wasn't released until three years later. They're as big a surprise as their name and, when they took the stage at First Avenue, the surprises kept on coming. And there are just so many details there are into making a good sounding record. Founded In. I'm Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Their first EP, Mary, was recorded in a dorm room at the university. Mon. That's awesome. Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. $25 & up. And since then I've just been digging into the harmonic series and trying to figure out what makes a sound a sound. If media is missing, please DM me with a link to submission url and tweet. When it comes to Rainbow Kitten Surprise, just remember the old axiom to never judge a book by its cover. The band consists of Sam Melo, Darrick Keller, Charlie Holt, Jess Haney, and Caleb Elder. I can't wait to watch her sing in a few weeks . That was pretty rough going down there as a kid, going from first world comfort to the third world. 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 . Their music has a calmer demeanor. . local news and culture, Augusta Rizzardini 33 cities. High-energy, queer-friendly, happy-go-lucky. Though each Rainbow Kitten Surprise show has a compelling narrative, we were lucky enough to catch a performance that had a particularly relevant message. You're always blindsided by it. The internet. 2023 LIVE NATION WORLDWIDE, INC. By VinStyleRe. 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. 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. Right of Admission Reserved. Guaranteed to be fire . Get our top picks for the best events in San Antonio every Thursday morning. It ended up working out, and we did it. 264k Followers, 70 Following, 116 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Rainbow Kitten Surprise (@rksbandofficial) rksbandofficial. The Troubadour is located in West Hollywood, the historic gay district of Los Angeles. They were voted into the final 24 on the . Im happy to share with you that I am trans. 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. BY CONTINUING PAST THIS PAGE YOU AGREE TO OUR (Courtesy Matthew Salacuse) By Tom Lanham . My pronouns are she/her. And it would be a different record if it got made in nine months, but sometimes you need the two-week record. Find Rainbow Kitten Surprise tour schedule, concert details, reviews and photos. It is said to mix indie rock and roll, hip-hop, electronic music, and pop influences in its music. Sold out, 8 p.m., Saturday, July 9, Whitewater Amphitheater, 11860 FM306, New Braunfels, (830) 964-3800, whitewaterrocks.com. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is quickly becoming one of the most beloved and respected bands of their generation. Obviously, some days we didn't get anything. 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. The building shook as the crowded room stomped along to Holt's pulsing bass, sending their love through every floorboard of the venue. Over the past couple of years, I've been doing some major soul searching in the pursuit of my authentic self. . You talked about it being pretty disheartening or defeatist in a way. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. 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. ElA you are beautiful! 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. There's nothing better than being front row for a Rainbow Kitten Surprise show. $28.27. Ela Melo is the lead vocalist for alt-rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise; she wrote their biggest hit, "It's Called: Freefall.". We had few friends back here. It's an effort to try to control your thoughts and make some sense of what's going on. What is genre in the streaming age? Learning how to navigate the technology and capabilities that come with a true professional studio wasn't the only challenge for Rainbow Kitten Surprise. This story was originally published March 31, 2022, 9:40 AM. Mike Stunson covers real-time news for McClatchy. Hi everyone! Read our full chat and get information on the show below. 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? I've come to understand it differently. 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. 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. That was the understanding that I had. It included a collection of 25 songs performed at a previous live concert. Maybe even more so going forward but also in the performance aspect, as well. "It changed my life forever.". Thrash has previously performed at Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits. It's like two years old but just brush the dust off and it will be good." 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. Join the Observer community and help support Press J to jump to the feed. 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." Like can you say him in a song? RKS are the indie rock heroes we deserve. Rainbow Kitten Surprise and all five of its members hail from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. 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. The Split Rail label was founded in 2005. I think where it comes from is the place that I'm at when I'm writing. Up to the point Haney joined the band, Rainbow Kitten Surprise had been the duo of singer Sam Melo and guitarist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, the best name ever we know, sat down with us at Outside Lands to talk about their new record and their song Hide. A year of heavy touring followed and yielded the 2021 concert album RKS! 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. And the circumstance that we left my family had lived on predominately support from missionary organizations so as time progressed, as happens quite often with people going down to do medical work the excitement and support wains because people don't know what's going on down there. The band formed in Boone, North Carolina. Now boasting over 1 billion global streams across platforms, the band first began building their devoted fanbase with independent albums "Seven + Mary" (2013) and "RKS" (2015). VOILA!Rainbow Kitten Surprise's Tampa concert moved from Orpheum to The Ritz Ybor City. Rainbow Kitten SurpriseWork Out. . If I hear of a Bustelo connection, I will definitely help get that sponsorship for you guys. Rainbow Kitten Surprise - Photo by Chris Taylor. Over the past couple of years, Ive been doing some major soul searching in the pursuit of my authentic self, Melo said on Instagram. ', "I always thought it was funny that I was insistent that I was only going to do one show," Haney said. Those are things you gotta figure it out. I feel like you've said everything that needed to be said about "Hide" the video's origin. 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? No pets (excluding service animals). These are things that I've come to piece together afterward. Weve grown a lot as humans and as a band, the group said. The alternative band will perform at the famous music venue on Monday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 12, concert promoter AEG Presents announced Monday. 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. May 6, 2018. And it was just kind of a transitory period. 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. How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. When Ela Melo, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, decided to come out as transgender, her family and friends were overjoyed. thanks to their energetic performances, and frontman Sam Melo's impressive dance moves. Thanks for sharing that story. 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? By TOM KRISHER and MARK THIESSEN 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. I think it's cool that people, it always hits ya like the story would. 02:32 . This tale of internal conflict is particularly relevant for both the band and this particular show. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. And now about her coming out, damn that's brave of her to do that! Hi everyone! 4:00AM. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, a six-month-old kitten, was born at Appalachian State University in North Carolina six years ago. Do you feel any kind of responsibility in hearing their stories? Though he wrote the song in 2015, it wasn't released until three years later. The length of the concert will depend on the number of songs the band performs and the amount of time they spend between songs. . 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. Naturally, cheers climaxed when Melo confessed, "He's a better kisser than you'd think, Mom.". She is responsible for overseeing the bands growth, having worked with them since their inception in 2013 and assisting them with their success. I still had dial-up till a year after we moved back, so MySpace hit me pretty hard. by Timothy Monger. The band got its name when someone's hospitalized, heavily medicated friend kept repeating the phrase Rainbow Kitten Surprise. 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. [4] From 2014 through 2017, Rainbow Kitten Surprise has performed at multiple music festivals and other events, including Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and Austin City Limits Festival. He became Editor-In-Chief in August 2019. I'm glad that it's doing something for people, that people can relate to it. 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. 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. 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 . That was the understanding that I had. This was the last stop on their summer tour. on Buy Rainbow Kitten Surprise tickets from the official Ticketmaster.com site. Concert Review: Rainbow Kitten Surprise By October 29, 2018 October 29, 2018 Music . 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. 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. 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. . 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 . Can you expand on that? Well, it just so happens that two of the members of the five-piece band are also members of the LGBTQ+ community - singer Sam Melo is gay and bassist Charlie Holt is trans. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is a popular indie-rock band that has made waves in the music scene with their unique sound and style. On June 11, Rainbow Kitten Surprise will perform at Red Rocks alongside their ride-or-die, . 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". Im happy to share with you that I am trans. Saw her in Newport and I was on the barrier. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, also known as RKS (Return to Rainbow Kitten), is a musical phenomenon that many people consider to be a musical phenomenon. February 18, 2019 By Tom Lanham. Since the 2013 release of their first album, Seven + Mary , the vibrancy and courageousness and uniqueness of RKS' music has brought in nearly 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify . It's not a daily thing, you're never like, ok well here's that sad story for the day. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. She has written, produced, directed &performed in four original plays. 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. It's like two years old but just brush the dust off and it will be good." I'm going live from inside to show admiration, pay respect and donations to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and their partners. I just couldn't be more thankful to be able to do what we do.". 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. The Alternative/Indie-Pop band takes influence from great artists like Modest Mouse, Lana Del Rey, and Kings of Leon. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. No coolerboxes. The contemplative "Mission to Mars" then eases into fuller band arrangements and introduces lead singer Sam Melo's stylized, melodic speaking-rapping. 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. I killed a man there, in spite, and when he died, I took his place. I think youve only played Florida twice. On April 6, 2022, Rainbow Kitten Surprise released the single "Work Out," their first new single released in nearly 18 months. Once you get over that search and you get heartbroken by it, you realize all of the tools that are now at your disposal. A post shared by Rainbow Kitten Surprise (@rksbandofficial). Recorded at Nashville's Neon Cross Studio, where the group took advantage of a collection of vintage instruments, How To: Friend, Love, Freefall was produced by Jay Joyce (Cage the Elephant, the Head and the Heart) and released in 2018. It was incredible, but it was a lot to take on at the time. Somebody will grab the phone and somebody will read it out loud and everyone listens. Tickets can also be . It's Called: Freefall . They have released seven singles and two EPs, all of which are their own work. You don't tend to hole up by yourself and write lyrics when you're happy. 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,. From $1.35. But the band is breaking in a really serious way and the story behind it. One trigger for the success came when the band submitted their song "Devil Like Me" to the VH-1 reality show Make a Band Famous and saw it voted into the top 24. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an indie-rock band from Boone, North Carolina whose genre-bending sound has taken the music world by storm. Rainbow Kitten Surprise (RKS) is an American indie rock band that was formed in Boone, North Carolina in 2013. Im so glad she finally feels comfortable to be her true self! She sounds happier, but shes still singing the same song. Boy, do we have a surprise for you a Rainbow Kitten Surprise to exact. 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. Sign up for our Events Newsletter. I feel like we are the most blessed to be able to play. Do you have to cancel all press and just go work? The rest of Rainbow Kitten Surprises bandmates also revealed what they identify as. Whatever time allotted you have is what you work with. The band is made up of singer-songwriter Sam Melo, bassist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, drummer Jesse Wells, and guitarist Richarddriver. Mon, Jul 4, 2022 at 4:00 am. NINE LIVES: Rainbow Kitten Surprise frontman Sam Melo, who brings the band to The Ritz in Ybor City, Florida on September 17, 2018. . The band had arrived in Nashville with only a couple of songs partially written and all two and a half weeks to write and record the rest of the songs for what became the 2018 album How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. 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. Verified. As a boy, can you do that? I don't understand the culture. 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! Wu-Tang Clan and Nas are playing a Tampa pool party this fall, Tampa Bay's best live music happening this week (March 2-9), KennyVance headlines 'Doo Wop Reunion' coming to Clearwater on Saturday, Willie Nelson's set is sold-out, but there's so much more music happening at Plant City's Strawberry Festival this weekend, Review: Gladys Knight puts a little love in the hearts of Tampa fans during short set at Hard Rock Event Center, Review: In St. Pete, Deep Purple shows why its one of the longest-running rock bands on the planet, Review: Country icon Marty Stuart effortlessly runs band through genre-crossing set in Clearwater, 'Im not gonna do it because Ill never sing again': The Who's Roger Daltrey lives a little, then prematurely ends Florida concert. I definitely lose my phone for a month and just dive in. 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. How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. It's always a new set of gains. . Saturday's All Aboard! 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). "I think the (time) restraint was probably good for us," Haney said. Even at this early stage, there were signs that Rainbow Kitten Surprise might grow into something more than a just-for-fun college-years band. Does that feel like a burden for you as your fan base grows and is very devoted to the band? Sam Melo (lead vocals) - Darrick "Bozzy" Keller (guitar, vocals) - Ethan Goodpaster (lead guitar, vocals) Charlie Holt (bass, vocals . Live from Athens Georgia. 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. Participation in this event is entirely at your own risk. She is, indeed, a trans woman, she stated as she revealed her gender to her fellow human beings. By 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 . Medications in Pregnancy: What Not To Take? 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. They are known for their captivating live performances, which often involve elaborate costumes and choreographed dance moves. 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 . Although the bands members identities have not been publicly discussed, their music has often been interpreted as being LGBT-friendly. Happy for her! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Biography. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Since then, Rainbow Kitten Surprise's engaging blend of indie pop and a variety of other genres has won it high-profile festival appearances and a fervent nationwide following. 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. Rainbow Kitten Surprise Fashion Casual Navel,Funny Women_s Personality Sticker. On August 13, 2021, Rainbow Kitten Surprise released the live album RKS! 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 . Music is the universal language. and 2 countries. How much are the fans playing into your mindset? 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. There's so much of it down here but I keep forgetting it's actually from New York. Life is work. Their live performances are renowned for their high-energy, raw emotion, and often times, humor. Whats the balancing act like between the person we hear on the record and thinks about insecurities and this other person who is committed to making RKS something you can do for the rest of your life? But you guys have tons of it, I'm sure. Ela Melo, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, a popular alternative rock band, recently came out as lesbian. . These North Carolina-based festival favorites mix exuberant indie pop and earnest folk-rock. Live from Athens Georgia. No professional camera, video, or audio recording equipment. Figure out how to enjoy your own show.