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. Hi everyone! I don't know, it was a lot of fun.". We had few friends back here. This year has seen the deaths of stars and icons, but we honor their memory by highlighting them. May 6, 2018. (Courtesy Matthew Salacuse) By Tom Lanham . 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. 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. Then a couple of years later we're doing it with Jay Joyce in Nashville in like this incredible studio with all of this [label] support behind us. Read Full Biography. These North Carolina-based festival favorites mix exuberant indie pop and earnest folk-rock. Reading the new introductions to the band has been awesome and I cannot wait for their new chapter! Reading Between The Lines In The New Scooby-Doo Movie. on "It was life changing," says Sam Melo, RKS's firecracker of a lead singer whose emotive and powerful croon, fire-spitting raps, and unpredictable dervish dance moves make . Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. If you haven't heard yet, we are so excited to have partnered', Rainbow Kitten Surprise [@RKSBandOfficial], "Hi everyone! Yeah, we stay stocked, for sure. By the time we left, we were pretty broke and it was sort of defeatist, at least from my eyes. On March 30, 2022, the band's lead singer came out as transgender.[11]. And you were aware of this at 14, I'm assuming you've been a deep feeling person your whole life. Their music blends elements of folk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop, creating a unique and captivating sound. My pronouns are she/her. Songs like Six and Fever Pitch are often cited as being particularly LGBT-friendly, with themes of unrequited love, acceptance and identity. Still, deliver the caliber performance that you are hoping to. Are your fans starting to come to you with some pretty heavy coming out stories of their own? Because of I definitely still kind of in that mode of wanting to try too many things and given more time it would have ended up being an incomplete 21 songs record. pic.twitter.com/kejuO2yLIn. Mon, Jul 4, 2022 at 4:00 am. The alternative band will perform at the famous music venue on Monday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 12, concert promoter AEG Presents announced Monday. 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 . I'm Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. If I hear of a Bustelo connection, I will definitely help get that sponsorship for you guys. We had few friends back here. RKS are the indie rock heroes we deserve. Although Rainbow Kitten Surprise is not a Christian band, their music may appeal to Christian audiences due to its positive messages and uplifting lyrics. Alan Sculley [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. Watch on. "I got into the band through Ethan," Haney said, referencing guitarist Ethan Goodpaster during a recent phone interview. What's more, it was the first time all five band members were involved in the creative process from the ground up. Rainbow Kitten Surprise Band Music Tour Poster. The band consists of Sam Melo, Darrick Keller, Charlie Holt, Jess Haney, and Caleb Elder. Its really exciting to see the band thriving and doing so well and it brings me a ton of joy every time I listen to your music.. Hi everyone! That success drew the attention of Elektra Records, and the major label signed Rainbow Kitten Surprise, setting the table for an even bigger breakout. The band consists of Sam Melo, Darrick Keller, Charlie Holt, Jess Haney, and Caleb Elder. Ultimately, Rainbow Kitten Surprises music is open to interpretation, and it is up to the listener to decide whether or not they find spiritual meaning in their songs. Press J to jump to the feed. . They're songs that Sam [Melo] wrote before Rainbow Kitten Surprise was a thing. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. Live from Athens Georgia. 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 . Each of the queens conceals their identities for a variety of reasons, citing fear of bodily harm or damaging familial relationships. Excited for the new music from the band. They were voted into the final 24 on the . I think it did, I think it went well. Popular Sam Melo songs. Relishing in the opportunity before them, RKS have truly taken ownership of who they are to the point where they're . Once you make it better you gotta figure out how to play it. This story was originally published March 31, 2022, 9:40 AM. Those are things you gotta figure it out. So happy for her! 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. Just a few weeks ago at the end of . I'm Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Concert Review: Rainbow Kitten Surprise By October 29, 2018 October 29, 2018 Music . I'm going live from inside to show admiration, pay respect and donations to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and their partners. basically using musical vocal techniques to raise the pitch of your voice to sound more feminine in everyday social scenarios. Life is work. 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). On October 9, 2020, Rainbow Kitten Surprise released the single "Our Song", which had been previously played at multiple live events. You looked great in your dress on New Years Eve in DC. 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 . They received an outpouring of support from their fans, as well as other bands. 2023 LIVE NATION WORLDWIDE, INC. 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? Unfortunately, Rainbow Kitten Surprise will not be able to reschedule this event. Once you get over that search and you get heartbroken by it, you realize all of the tools that are now at your disposal. Sam Melo, the lead singer, took the stage with the lyrics and bent down to pray during the ominous and richly emotional Holy War . By TOM KRISHER and MARK THIESSEN Im happy to share with you that I am trans. In 2010, the band was accused of plagiarism after their song Fantasy resembled another artists work. I'm always under the assumption that the band life is never is as glamorous as you think it is. The Truth About Margaritas: Is It Gay For Men To Drink Them? They are known for their captivating live performances, which often involve elaborate costumes and choreographed dance . Rainbow Kitten Surprise, also known as RKS (Return to Rainbow Kitten), is a musical phenomenon that many people consider to be a musical phenomenon. B. y the time I reached that period, especially with this last record, I just started furiously writing down pages of lyrics, the guys came back and was like, "Sam, you don't have to rewrite a whole other album, look at what we already have. Rainbow Kitten Surprise in Concert. "It all just happened so fast. ElA you are beautiful! Rainbow Kitten Surprise is a popular indie-rock band that has made waves in the music scene with their unique sound and style. But power to Ela! Sign up for the latest music, videos, tour dates, and more "I mean, I think we just move fast," said Sam Melo, one of the band's . 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. My pronouns are she/her. Right on. Although the bands members identities have not been publicly discussed, their music has often been interpreted as being LGBT-friendly. My pronouns are she/her. 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. The song's . 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. The band's Pride Weekend performance at the Troubadour was a truly spectacular celebration of equality, community, and love - not to mention a kickass rock show. The rest of Rainbow Kitten Surprises bandmates also revealed what they identify as. That's super interesting. Facebook screengrab This came after she announced on March 30 that the band would embark on a highly anticipated tour right before the end of the month. Sometimes life is a grind of the best possible espresso you can put into a percolator. COLD LOVE hitting different today!!! Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an indie rock band based out of Boone, North Carolina. Right on. Medications in Pregnancy: What Not To Take? The tour opens in South Carolina where you essentially wrote the album, but then the next stop is here in Tampa Bay and I wanted to ask you about (your song) "Goodnight Chicago", the lyric says, Twenty years to see New York reflected on subway trains. Address: Orange Road, Emmarentia, Johannesburg 2195. I feel like you've said everything that needed to be said about "Hide" the video's origin. thanks to their energetic performances, and frontman Sam Melo's impressive dance moves. The internet. 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 is quickly becoming one of the most beloved and respected bands of their generation. The crooning voice we all love so much (: Ansley Elizabeth Photography) 288. Weve grown a lot as humans and as a band, the group said. But the band is breaking in a really serious way and the story behind it. That's just how they like it. 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. It feels like this big, intricate record that was always kind of hiding in the band's music even when it was a two acoustic guitar band. and help keep the future of the Observer, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our, Dallas Observer's The Morning After Brunch. No coolerboxes. I will do my best to solve the issue. Follow. It was incredible. Even by this early stage, there were signs RKS might balloon beyond a just-for-fun . Be yourself. TERMS OF USE. . I'm happy to share with you that I am trans. [5][6], On April 6, 2018, RKS released its How To: Friend, Love, Freefall album, under the Elektra Records label. The bandswitty and introspective lyrics complement Alis powerful and emotional voice perfectly. In their video for Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Thrash shows a drag queen coming out to her parents. Just working with Jay and Jason and the whole crew just opened my eyes to what kind of sonic avenues there were. Their live performances are renowned for their high-energy, raw emotion, and often times, humor. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is a colorful, eye-catching name. 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. 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. From $1.46. Rainbow Kitten Surprise's Tampa concert moved from Orpheum to The Ritz Ybor City. 10201 fans Top tracks. 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. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. It's incredible that this is what life is. Once in a lifetime. By anibendod. . Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Ela Melo is the lead vocalist for alt-rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise; she wrote their biggest hit, "It's Called: Freefall.". We regret to announce, that due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight's show with Rainbow Kitten Surprise has been canceled. Im happy to share with you that I am trans. As a result, many of the songs on their albums contain spiritual imagery, such as references to God, angels and heaven. Rainbow Kitten Surprise w/Sun Seeker. Nah, I was pretty much in my own world, to be honest. This tale of internal conflict is particularly relevant for both the band and this particular show. Subscribe now to get the latest news delivered right to your inbox. Rainbow Kitten Surprise and all five of it's members hail from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. Congrats on coming out, Ela, one person wrote on Instagram. Because especially if the song were to be a hit, then immediately were poster children, you know?, "Hide" was accompanied by one of the most impactful music videos of last year. Do you feel any kind of responsibility in hearing their stories? The crowd immediately stood to their feet when they heard the . The contemplative "Mission to Mars" then eases into fuller band arrangements and introduces lead singer Sam Melo's stylized, melodic speaking-rapping. 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. 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. "I think the (time) restraint was probably good for us," Haney said. Maybe even more so going forward but also in the performance aspect, as well. What's the Truth Behind the Beyonc Country Album Rumors. 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. Many electric vehicle batteries lose power when its very cold. When you consider some of its subject matter songs like "Cocaine Jesus" come to mind the name really is a bit of a "Surprise.". So, to make that jump was definitely a little bit of a shock for all of us. She made the announcement on Wednesday, March 30 about a week before the band hits the road for a highly-anticipated tour. Rainbow Kitten Surprise built themselves from the ground up and now they're redefining the boundaries of indie music. If you're looking for the living embodiment of multi-dimensionality, turn to Sam Melo, lead singer from the band Rainbow Kitten Surprise. While Holt has been openly trans for some time now, Melo only came out as gay alongside the release of Rainbow Kitten Surprise's 2018 album, How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. 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. Documentarian Kyle Thrash was enlisted by the band to create the video for Hide, which depicts sexuality in a subtle way. 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. . Rainbow Kitten Surprise, "RKS" for short, is known for its harmonies, instrumentation, and lyrics. I definitely lose my phone for a month and just dive in. Find Rainbow Kitten Surprise tour schedule, concert details, reviews and photos. The sound of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, or RKS, as their fans call them, is hard to define. But after a while it becomes, you're playing shows every night, you're having to do these press things on the days in between, you gotta always portray because everybody that is coming at you is coming from the perspective of success, like "Wow, congratulations, you're making it." Live from Athens Georgia. "It was all just very surreal," Haney said. 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. It ended up working out, and we did it. . 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 and all five of its members hail from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. Ela Melo, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, a popular alternative rock band, recently came out as lesbian. Obviously, some days we didn't get anything. This single marked their first release as a band since May 2019. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. On March 23, 2022, the band announced a new single, "Work Out" off their upcoming album. Sam Melo, second from left, brings Rainbow Kitten Surprise to the Fillmore. Rainbow Kitten Surprise prepares to unleash a burst of musical influences at The Jones Assembly. 4:00AM. The band is scheduled to play a sold-out show at New Braunfels' Whitewater Amphitheater on Saturday, July 9. I'm happy for her to find courage and embrace it publicly, all the best for Ela , ik i was confused at first too!! 2 countries. 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. 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. The band is made up of singer-songwriter Sam Melo, bassist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, drummer Jesse Wells, and guitarist Richarddriver. 33 cities. How to raise the money to maintain crucial community care ought to be a no-brainer.Donate to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee:http://shfbmt.convio.net/site/TR?px=1465289\u0026fr_id=1311\u0026pg=personalConnect with RKS:http://rksband.comhttp://instagram.com/rksbandofficialhttp://twitter.com/rksbandofficialhttps://facebook.com/RainbowKittenSurprise#LiveFromHome #StayHome #WithMe . 17. Exploring The Authenticity Of Being Big Gay : A Discussion. I think it was something we had to get acclimated to a bit.". Being able to share my experiences while remaining true to my LGBTQ identity excites me. By the time I reached that period, especially with this last record, I just started furiously writing down pages of lyrics, the guys came back and was like, "Sam, you don't have to rewrite a whole other album, look at what we already have. Mon. The band got its name when someone's hospitalized, heavily medicated friend kept repeating the phrase Rainbow Kitten Surprise. That's the thing, Jay and I talked about this, somebody said the first day, so if you have nine months to make a record it's going to take you nine months to make a record. 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It was the utmost honor for Ones to Watch to be in attendance, and we are proud to join Rainbow Kitten Surprise and countless other artists in the promotion of equality through the greatest unifier, music. Now two NC men face prison. Or these are 2 different people? There wasn't a seat remaining as the lights dimmed in the Tennessee Theatre. High-energy, queer-friendly, happy-go-lucky. Founded In. His spot was kind of a transitory period for us. It was incredible, but it was a lot to take on at the time. Liking Bridget Jones: Does It Mean Im Gay? 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? Previously unseen footage of Layne Staley performing with Alice In Chains has been made public. It's not a daily thing, you're never like, ok well here's that sad story for the day. I was so shocked! On June 11, Rainbow Kitten Surprise will perform at Red Rocks alongside their ride-or-die, . Especially in a place of uncertainty. The rest of the Rainbow Kitten Surprise bandmates also introduced themselves and revealed what they identify as in their social media post Wednesday. They had started playing shows around the Boone area and wrote and recorded the earliest Rainbow Kitten Surprise songs as a duo. I wasn't like a full-time drummer. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an indie-rock band from Boone, North Carolina whose genre-bending sound has taken the music world by storm. Do you have to cancel all press and just go work? Fri, Sep 14, 2018 at 12:09 pm. armed forces vacation club for veterans 082 825 4557; welsh keith brymer jones wife zapperstore.xyz@gmail.com Im happy to share with you that I am trans. Join the Observer community and help support Boy, do we have a surprise for you a Rainbow Kitten Surprise to exact. Surely the beginning of a new era for the band, Transgender women voices actually dont change with hormones so they might actually sound the same just with a hot ass chick as the lead , She didn't sound any different when I saw them in December? More info: theritzybor.com. 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. And since then I've just been digging into the harmonic series and trying to figure out what makes a sound a sound. Arriving in 2018, the band's breakout full-length debut for Elektra, "How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. Though he wrote the song in 2015, it wasn't released until three years later. She is, indeed, a trans woman, she stated as she revealed her gender to her fellow human beings. Figure out how to enjoy your own show. In between those two locales were several stops, including one week-long stay in Tampa Bay, and if you believe the lyrics to Goodnight Chicago from RKS 2015 self-titled LP, then our hometown is where Melo metaphorically killed a man out of spite (When he died, I took his place, is how the lyric goes). Rainbow Kitten Surprise has booked two nights at Colorado's iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2022. Sold out, 8 p.m., Saturday, July 9, Whitewater Amphitheater, 11860 FM306, New Braunfels, (830) 964-3800, whitewaterrocks.com. 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 . CANCELLED: Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Rainbow Kitten Surprise-a band name you don't easily forget. Dallas' independent source of