Brighton’s Kins were first introduced to us thanks to Brighton’s One Inch Badge. The collective’s ‘Sea Monsters #3 Best of Brighton’ compilation opened with the quartet’s incredible demo ‘Top & Turn’.
The band have since release their highly underrated self-titled debut album and it finally seems as though people are starting to realise how special they are.
Kins are Thom, Rob, Jacky and Alex. Three quarters Australian and one-quarter Midlander. Thom and Jacky met at high school and Alex then met Thom when their old bands toured together in Australia, finally they met Rob in Brighton. Why move to the UK though? Alex says, ‘The U.K is a land of giants when it comes to influential bands, I think what drove the move here was an ambition to be part of that league.’
When it comes to the album, it is one of those distinctive debuts that makes you fight with yourself to understand why it has not gone global within days of release. It is awash with complexities, lush rhythms, a breathtaking front vocal and to top it off a complete masterclass in production. When it came to writing the album Alex says, ‘The songs on the album range in age from some written a couple of years ago, to others that were finished just a few weeks before it was mastered. The drums took one day in the studio and the rest was recorded in Thom’s basement bedroom over two months.’
One of my favourite tracks on the album is ‘The Love Potion’. It misleads you with its primary melody and if M. Night Shyamalan was drafted in to write song-endings, this would be a prime example. It reminds me of the time I discovered Bjork’s ‘Hyperballad’ on my Post cassette. I sat in my bedroom and got this sense of jubilation, I felt I had discovered the next best thing in music. There is a very satisfying fluidity about this track and the whole album as a whole, but there is also an endearing quirkiness about it too. It is therefore difficult, thankfully, to stereotype Kins. Alex says, ‘As for catergorisation, so far we’ve been tagged with what’s arguably the most vague term that exists for a genre and that’s ‘indie’, which for alot of people just means you play guitars and wear collared shirts. No complaints.’
With strong plans to tour as much as possible and recognising the real importance of it, especially in the times we find ourselves in, Kins have already had their fair share of playing shows both in the UK and abroad. When asked about his favourite live experience so far Alex explained, ‘Personally, my favourite so far was playing in Czech Republic at a festival called ‘Rock for People’. The stages were set up in old missile bunkers and the crowd were much more interactive than we’re used to. I reckon if you’re not a band that enjoys touring, the future of the industry’s gonna look pretty grim, but as I said earlier, it’s our catnip.’
When it comes to Scotland Kins have already cited a band that they adore. Thankfully, it is also a Podcart favourite. ‘Young Fathers’ from Edinburgh. We’ve played alongside them twice now and both times I pissed my jeans. I just bought their E.P, ‘Tape Two’. You should too.’ I have to agree completely with the band and if you have the opportunity to see them live then grab it. They are one of the best bands to come out of Scotland in recent years.
As for Kins, their talent is undeniable. They are notably unassuming and whilst for some they will have a unique flavor or even come across in some tempos and bars as musically abstract, there is still an accessibility that everyone must experience. Their debut album is an astonishing achievement.
Halina Rifai
More information about Kins:
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kins
Website: http://hellokins.com
Twitter: @hellokins
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