Kill
It Kid Burst
Its Banks [single] Kill
It Kid [album]
“Strange
band name, perhaps,
but there is nothing strange about
the self-titled debut album of the
harmonious Kill It Kid, whose music
has a definite established quality
about it...”
STEPPING OUT WITH ALL THE CONFIDENCE of recognised talent, Kill It Kid has
produced a self-titled debut album to be proud of, full of marvellous surges
and beautiful harmonies. You just know you're going to like this from
the off.
Fronted by Chris Turpin and Stephanie Ward, who are responsible for the gorgeous
two-part vocal harmonies, Kill It Kid has already toured extensively with The
National, Pete and the Pirates, Ipso Facto and The Virgins.
The summer was spent gearing up to the release of Kill It Kid, the taster
single Burst Its Banks and shows throughout the summer and autumn that
included Bristol, Dublin, Belfast and Glasgow. The autumn dates heralded a co-headline
with Sparrow & The Workshop with shows at Bath, Manchester, Edinburgh, Oxford
and London.
Publicity literature hints that "the lyrical intimacy of the songs is rendered
all the more powerful by the interplay between the pair" and indeed Chris Turpin's
distinctive voice is somewhat otherwordly while Stephanie Ward is the perfect
foil with her softer and huskier tones.
Backed up by strings, keys and slide guitar, the formula that combines to give
a uniqueness to Kill It Kid is a blend of delta blues and roots that
are used to striking effect. What we have here is a compendium of musical and
vocal offerings described as "blistering, unapologetic rock 'n' roll", jazz-infused
strands and dramatic film-noir ambience thrown in for good measure.
We particularly liked Private Idaho, given a lovely edge with Stephanie's
pretty, gentle and melodic vocals; the 'shake, rattle and roll' feel of the
upbeat My Lip's Won't Be Clean; Dirty Water which again gives
Stephanie a chance to work her magic and Taste The Rain, which is a great
track to go out on. The single from the album, Burst Its Banks, is a
fabulous single using different styles that bind together with musical magic.
The band works hard to create a vocal and musical paradise with Kill It Kid
and has already been compared to Tom Waits, Frank Zappa and Zeppelin, as well
as Gomez, Mumford & Sons and The Raconteurs.
A powerful songwriting pool, Kill It Kid has a maturity that belies its youth.
The average age of the band members is only 21, but the input in both creation
and performance that makes these exceptional youngsters stand out is a sense
of life experience.
Having met at University, the seeds of the band were sown with vocalist Chris
Turpin's solo gigs, at which he was occasionally joined by drummer Marc Jones
and bassist Adam Timmins. Over time, the band expanded, establishing the current
line up by February 2009. Following a tip-off, and, John Parish (PJ Harvey,
The Eels) was put in touch with the band and his decision to record a four-track
EP of songs with the band became their debut.
Both Burst Its Banks (the single) and (the album) are produced, mixed
and recorded by Ryan Hadlock (Johnny Flynn, The Strokes, The Gossip). The album
was recorded in Seattle, at the same studio Fleet Foxes laid down their debut.
The Kill It Kid line-up comprises: Richard Jones (violins/backing vocals); Adam
Timmins (bass guitar/guitars); Stephanie Ward (vocals/piano); Marc Jones (drums/percussion)
and Chris Turpin (vocals/guitars/harmonica).
• Burst
Its Banks was released on 3 August (2009) and the album Kill It Kid
was released on 5 October (2009) on One Little Indian.
Tracklisting
1 Heaven Never Seemed So Close | 2 Burst Its Banks | 3 Ivy
And Oak | 4 Fool For Loving You | 5 Send Me An Angel Down
| 6 Private Idaho | 7 My Lips Won't Be Kept Clean | 8 Troubles
Of Loretta | 9 Dirty Water | 10 Bye Bye Bird | 11 Taste
The Rain.
"Stepping out with all the confidence of recognised talent, Kill It Kid has
produced a self-titled debut album to be proud of, full of marvellous surges
and beautiful harmonies" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar
"Burst Its Banks is a fabulous single using different styles that bind
together with musical magic" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar
"Their's is a vibrant blend of The White Stripes, barn dances and the Stephanne
Grappelli-like fiddle-frenzy jazz/blues" — Q Magazine
"Uncontrived, Kill It Kid are a brave, raw talent" — BBC Introducing
"Thrillingly unaffected, delightful" — Music Week
"Demands attention from the off… the strengtrh and depth of their songs belie
their age" — Clash Magazine
Check out myspace.com/killitkid.
