Festi-Fave Rainbow Kitten Surprise are CRUSHING IT Right Now!
If you have not heard of them before now, do yourself a favor and go listen to Rainbow Kitten Surprise‘s (RKS) entire indie discography. The first thing you will notice upon listening is that, despite the band name and vibrant rainbow patterning on some of the album art, RKS are in fact not an EDM act but instead are firmly planted in a bluegrass-inspired indie and alternative style that is pure sound candy.
We have covered RKS, but after the release and subsequent success and touring associated with their sophomore album, How To: Friend, Love, Freefall, the band is still on tour, and I had the good fortune of seeing them on the first of a two-night stand at one of the most famous musical venue’s in Nashville, The Ryman Auditorium. The Ryman is often referred to as the “mother church of country music” and is the site of the original Grand Ole Opry program. This venue is full of rich history and, due to its design and wooden finishings, has an amazing sound quality all its own. RKS has a large following in the Nashville area, having previously sold out every show they have headlined in the Music City. When the band’s continued touring led them to announce they would be joining the ranks of artists who have had the honor of playing The Ryman, the initially announced show sold out impressively quickly, so impressively that the band opted for giving the people what they were clearly begging for and added a second show at the mother church.
The band is currently touring with and preceded by alt-folk band Mt. Joy. I had admittedly never listened to these guys and their alt-folk-rock sound before, but after this initial experience I can say you will find me cruising to them with my windows down this summer. With blues-inspired rifts, catchy songs, and epic covers, I was initially afraid these guys were going to steal the show.
That was, until the five-piece Rainbow Kitten Surprise took the stage. From the moment the group came out it was clear that this was not the same RKS that had played Nashville back in April of 2018. This band looked so much more confident, cool, and comfortable on the stage. With improved production quality in the form of lights, outfits as bold as each member’s stage presence, and a clear and present love for playing and singing their own songs, these guys absolutely killed it. Many bands I feel suffer from a certain form of jading that results in them looking focused but uninterested while playing; that is not the case with RKS. Not only does singer Sam Melo dance and sing with a grace, all while mixing in some guitar and piano time, but he also has a glint in his eye that says “I mean every word of this, this is my soul bared for you.” He is not the only member with this gleam in his eye, either, with backup vocals from Bozzy Keller often breaking him away from his guitar to put 100% of his emotion into a phrase. From there we cannot even begin to talk about Charlie Holt, bassist, who screamed every word of their song “Devil Like Me” as though his very life depended on it. Drummer Jess Haney never lets a smile leave his face while keeping the band in time and can always be looked to to brighten the mood during even the darkest of songs, clearly someone who values every moment he is able to share with the crowd. Finally, lead guitar Ethan Goodpaster, historically stoic while playing from this writer’s perspective, could not resist cracking a smile as he played to the Nashville crowds, taking multiple times out to simply come together with the other members and SHRED for a moment in celebration of the sound of the evening.
Overall, that is how I would define this current touring cycle for Rainbow Kitten Surprise: a celebration. These guys have made it past the infamous sophomore slump stronger and better than even they probably hoped for. They have many many tour dates coming up, including some of our favorite festivals. You owe it to yourself to get out to one of these shows and to celebrate the magic of music with this band, trust me, you will not regret that decision!
About the writer: Zach Sanders is a husband, social worker, photojournalist, wannabe podcaster, and music festival addict. Since his first Bonnaroo in 2014, he has been on a journey of self-discovery, hitting every festival he can along the way, and finding a way to integrate his love for them into every aspect of his life. He’s definitely that guy at the party talking your ear off about his next or most recent festival, as well as name dropping 40 bands you have never heard of as though he knows each member personally. Follow him on Instagram at @the_fest_life, or check out his podcast on Spotify at The Fest Life Podcast!