Glam + Pop + The Orange Peel

Year of Kings. Day 179. Glam? And - to be clear - not the sunset strip metal glam but the T-Rex and David Bowie glam? Throwing around the idea of “glam” has restarted the question of what are the Dark City Kings? We have Craig banging on the cajon and Kyrie on the fiddle - through she plays it like an orchestral violin, like the violin in Pulp. But we’re not really Americana. Merlin was hanging out with us for a couple of weeks - and then said: “oh you’re a pop band.” Yeah - we like ABBA as much we like Lucinda Williams. Pop. That’s us.
Year of Kings. Day 180. We just released an album - “Porch” - and we’re about to go back to the recording studio - but - but - we went into Kevin Bogg’s studio this summer and cut a double sing of “Heart of Stone” and “Divas.” So we’re working to release the double single in December/January. Working on visual designs.
Year of Kings. Day 181. Pop music? It’s like we have to have our two eyes facing in different directions. We want to be true and write something that’s real to us - and we want to connect and create something that someone in their first listening will understand and see themselves in the song. We’re not pushing you away. We’re not being difficult. Here are the hooks. Here is a melody you can sing in the shower. Here are words and a story you recognize in your own life. And this is also true to us. All the laughter and funny stories and the darkness and the beauty - it is true.
Year Of Kings. Day 182. I hug Craig every time. Every show. Every practice. Every chance I get. I strongly recommend. If you’re lost and confused - hug Craig. Or if you’re having a good day - it can only get better. If you’re up on stage - give him a head butt in his shoulder. He loves it. A good part of each show is trying to crack up Craig.
Year of Kings. Day 183. Yesterday we confirmed a show on one of Asheville’s truly great stages for January. We’re going to wait a second to make sure we’re all aligned with the other bands and the booker about marketing place before we announce it. But we couldn’t be more excited.
Year of Kings. Day 184. Yesterday was the inception point, the halfway mark. 6 months ago - there was no recording released, no hanging out with Kevin Moloney, no booking a show at one of Asheville’s biggest and best stages. We had some songs - we had a good front person who can put on a show - we were an interesting looking band - not a cool band but something much more interesting. 6 months done and 6 months to go. We’ll just keep trying things. The story is unwritten.
Year of Kings. Day 185. How is the next album being written? I’m noticing the difference between this writing and the first DCK album. A lot of the first album was written in tandem - JR came over to my porch, sharing ideas with Colleen. This is being formed by a drunken gang in Craig’s old family bedroom. Hey Merlin - can we try this Spaghetti Western style? Oh Kyrie will fix this part. And Kevin’s like - what else do you have? Um… here’s a Duran Duran inspired song. Here’s one about insomnia. This is about running around at night. This is also about running around at night.
Year of Kings. Day 186. This is the other piece of big news: The Dark City Kings will be playing at @the_orange_peel on January 11 with @fashionbathasheville and @_aunt_vicki. The Orange Peel posted this on their website last night. This is such a fun stage and the sound and lighting is amazing. Everyone - and I mean everyone - has played there. Last year I saw CHVRCHES and Courtney Barnett at The Orange Peel. Every once in a while The Orange Peel holds a local showcase. It’s a fantastic opportunity - to champion the local scene. The music being written and played by local bands is GOOD and Fashion Bath and Aunt Vicki are truly excellent. Yeah - we couldn’t be more excited.