AL trio blend the energy of their live shows, with intricate musicianship and delivery
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | July 19, 2019 – Alabama indie rock/punk trio KinZie deliver their debut album Dead Eyes today, charging forth with a series of infectiously catchy and punchy sonic hooks. Combining an invigorating blend of influences, KinZie share a perfect mix of intricate, tight-knit performances; full of catchy grooves and punk energy. PureGrain Audio summarized their album as “delicious and devious” and complimented KinZie as a “formidable indie rock/punk trio that’s as quirky as it is catchy.”
“Since this was our first debut album, we really wanted it to be as memorable as possible and relatable while avoiding the usual topics of love or everyday surroundings,” shared vocalist/guitarist Phillip Ori. Following their 2016 EP Young Vagabonds, the new release focuses on capturing the band’s live energy and expression. “The biggest change is being able to record all at once which makes for a more honest recording in our opinions. Sonically, it’s nice to capture some wild tones in a real studio environment instead our previous DIY approach. I think the big takeaway is to let people know their feelings matter.” Throughout the ten-track release, listeners are taken on a roller-coaster of emotions; from exploring the struggles of anxiety, to the dynamics between anger, grief, and apathy in modern world, as well as an outlook for what’s to come.
Musically, KinZie pull from a wide range of influences, including elements of jazz punk, math-rock, garage rock and hardcore, buttered up with indie rock to appeal to wide audience. Active on the Birmingham music scene for a number of years, KinZie has shared the stage with acts including Screaming Females and Night Beats. Reflecting on the release, Ori laughed, “It’s been a long labor of love and to actually hold the album in our hands is a little surreal. Hard work does pay off!”
The band called upon a number of local musicians and artists for involvement on the album. Musician Jesse Payne provided a guest performance with acoustic guitar on “Dead Eyes” and a guitar solo for “The Process”. The alluring cover art was completed by Taylor Adams of Deep Space Devices. KinZie recorded at Boutwell Studios in Birmingham with Brad Lyons (recording/mixing/mastering) and engineer Daniel Long.
Dead Eyes is out everywhere today, including Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music; physical CDs are available on Bandcamp. KinZie celebrate tonight with a listening party at Seasick Records, and numerous upcoming live shows.
UPCOMING SHOWS:
July 19 – Dead Eyes Listening Party – Seasick Records – Birmingham, AL
July 27 – Get Talking! Drunk Birmingham Music History (Day Show) – The Nick Rocks – Birmingham, AL
July 28 – The Nick Rocks – Birmingham, AL
August 16 – Firehouse – Birmingham, AL
August 17 – Punk Black – Atlanta, GA
September 9 – Firehouse – Birmingham, AL
October 11 – Dave’s Pub – Birmingham, AL
FOLLOW KINZIE:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp | Spotify
ABOUT KINZIE:
Near the end of their debut album, Dead Eyes, KinZie pauses for a hypnotically frenetic tune called “Catharsis.”
As lead singer Phillip Ori croons over a dissolved relationship (“Now I know it’s true/I’ll do much better/Without you”), the listener cannot help but notice the relief promised in the title. Similarly, the band also is celebrating this emotion.
After years of playing every nook and cranny of the Birmingham music scene – from the dirty little secret of The Nick to the DYI haven of the Firehouse to the space-aged wonderment of Saturn – and sharing the stage with bands such as Screaming Females and Night Beats, KinZie’s core trio (Ori, bassist Thomas Warren and drummer Parker Chambliss) has finally put the full-length LP that perfectly captures the unhinged raucousness of their live show.
Produced and engineered by Brad Lyons at the legendary Boutwell Studios in Birmingham and featuring guest appearances by local artists such as Jesse Payne, Dead Eyes is a unforgettable ten-song roller coaster of emotions, starting with numbness (“Took two pills today/Just to ease the pain”) in opener “Heavy Head”, grief (“Rest your weary tired head/Dream of better times”) in “Dead Eyes”, fury (“And these voices remain silent now/And the blood slows down to a crawl”) in “Brutus” and indifferent acceptance (“The world is truly ending/There’s no will for hope”) in ending track “Oh Well”.
Musically, the album careens between math-rock, jazz, punk, garage rock and brutal hardcore. Even in the quiet moments, you have to wonder if you’re in the calm before the storm. But you’ll definitely want to be around when KinZie strikes.
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Press photo by Darius Walker Photography. Album cover art at top by Taylor Adams (Deep Space Devices).
For press inquiries contact [email protected]
