Over the past couple of years, I've been doing some major soul searching in the pursuit of my authentic self.I'm happy to share with you that I am trans. Yeah, we stay stocked, for sure. 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? Obviously, some days we didn't get anything. By the time we left, we were pretty broke and it was sort of defeatist, at least from my eyes. Ela Melo, the lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, came out as transgender in a social media post on Wednesday, March 30. People who are brainstorming how to heap as much food as they can onto as many plates as possible have a lot to think about. Suddenly, the five musicians found themselves driving to Nashville, where they all now live, setting up shop in the high-end Neon Cross Studios and working with one of the city's most in-demand producers, Jay Joyce. History. Live from Athens Georgia. Once you get over that search and you get heartbroken by it, you realize all of the tools that are now at your disposal. independent local journalism in Dallas. On June 11, Rainbow Kitten Surprise will perform at Red Rocks alongside their ride-or-die, . Happy Pride Month. It's not a daily thing, you're never like, ok well here's that sad story for the day. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an indie rock band from Boone, North Carolina, formed in 2013. Somebody will grab the phone and somebody will read it out loud and everyone listens. You tend to do it when something is unstable in your real world and then you hole up to gain some measure of control by expelling into this musical format. . I will say as a trans girl that some of the older lyrics make more sense now. Rumors have swirled for years about Melos sexuality, with some claiming that he is gay. 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. What's the Truth Behind the Beyonc Country Album Rumors. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is Ela Melo (lead vocals), Darrick "Bozzy" Keller (guitar, vocals), Ethan Goodpaster (lead guitar, vocals), Charlie Holt (bass, vocals), Jess Haney (drums). It's like two years old but just brush the dust off and it will be good." The band consists of Sam Melo, Darrick Keller, Charlie Holt, Jess Haney, and Caleb Elder. . She has performed in the theater for 20 years in nearly 50 plays in London, Scotland, Chile, NYC, Chicago, Miami & Tampa. I just couldn't be more thankful to be able to do what we do.". This single marked their first release as a band since May 2019. It's incredible that this is what life is. I feel like we are the most blessed to be able to play. In this article, we will explore the evidence behind the rumors, and examine whether there is any truth to the speculation that the lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise is, in fact, gay. We love you so much!! I've come to understand it differently. These are things that I've come to piece together afterward. Learning how to navigate the technology and capabilities that come with a true professional studio wasn't the only challenge for Rainbow Kitten Surprise. My pronouns are she/her. NINE LIVES: Rainbow Kitten Surprise frontman Sam Melo, who brings the band to The Ritz in Ybor City, Florida on September 17, 2018. . Play. "I think the (time) restraint was probably good for us," Haney said. Mike Stunson covers real-time news for McClatchy. Their sound has been influenced by artists such as Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon, Frank Ocean and Schoolboy Q. Sam Melo, the lead singer, took the stage with the lyrics and bent down to pray during the ominous and richly emotional Holy War . Verified. 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 Split Rail label was founded in 2005. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, also known as RKS (Return to Rainbow Kitten), is a musical phenomenon that many people consider to be a musical phenomenon. Hi everyone! They have released seven singles and two EPs, all of which are their own work. While their music does not necessarily have overtly Christian themes, many of the band members have been vocal about their Christian faith. Now two NC men face prison. Inspired by a close friend's morphine-ridden ramblings from a hospital bed, RKS was. And now about her coming out, damn that's brave of her to do that! Buy Rainbow Kitten Surprise tickets from the official Ticketmaster.com site. Rainbow Kitten Surprise in Concert. ElA you are beautiful! They had started playing shows around the Boone area and wrote and recorded the earliest Rainbow Kitten Surprise songs as a duo. Orange Road, Emmarentia, Johannesburg 2195. At times I honestly thought the leader singer, Sam Melo, had fallen down after jumping and dancing on stage, but every time he rose up again, somehow becoming better with every song. "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 . 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. [7] The single "Fever Pitch" from the album climbed to number 34th on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart in spring 2018. music festival marks formal launch of San Antonio venue The Espee, Live Music in San Antonio This Week: Silversun Pickups, Epik High, Marisela and more, Comedian George Lopez is returning to San Antonio's Majestic Theatre this summer, San Antonio punk band Fea composed original music for new play debuting at Public Theater, Live Music in San Antonio This Week: August Burns Red, Inner Wave, Thy Art Is Murder and more, Celebrate Bowie tour with Peter Murphy and Adrian Belew coming to San Antonio's Tobin Center. // Cookie Policy Rainbow Kitten Surprise and all five of its members hail from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. The "Rainbow Kitten Surprise Presale Presale" will go on sale Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. Tickets will cost $39.50 for Lawn seating and $45.50 for the Rapids Section. "Rainbow Kitten Surprise on their fast road to fame and unforgettable name", "Rainbow Kitten Surprise hometown, biography", "Alternative/indie-pop band signs with Appalachian's Split Rail Records", "Director Kyle Thrash Takes Fans Inside Rainbow Kitten Surprise's Emotional 'Hide' Video", "Rainbow Kitten Surprise | How to: Friend, Love, Freefall | the New Album", "Rainbow Kitten Surprise on Instagram: 'Just a little reminder that our upcoming run starts in less than 2 weeks! Rainbow Kitten Surprise will perform at soldout album release parties for their new album . My pronouns are she/her. and armed forces vacation club for veterans 082 825 4557; welsh keith brymer jones wife zapperstore.xyz@gmail.com These North Carolina-based festival favorites mix exuberant indie pop and earnest folk-rock. RKS are the indie rock heroes we deserve. There's nothing better than being front row for a Rainbow Kitten Surprise show. Mon. They were voted into the final 24 on the . Once in a lifetime. t.co/kejuO2yLIn", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rainbow_Kitten_Surprise&oldid=1141755995, Indie rock musical groups from North Carolina, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, "It's Called: Freefall" (January 28, 2019), This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 16:57. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The Scroll to read more Show Previews articles, 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. By On March 23, 2022, the band announced a new single, "Work Out" off their upcoming album. Join the Observer community and help support They're songs that Sam [Melo] wrote before Rainbow Kitten Surprise was a thing. RKS 'Work Out' available now! Everyone uses it down here in Florida. 04. With an ever-growing following, Ela Rainbow Kitten Surprise is sure to keep producing captivating music for years to come. Two members frontman Sam Melo and guitarist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller went to visit a friend in the hospital who had bacterial meningitis and gave him the honor of dubbing their title. In the latest episode of Fender Presents, Rainbow Kitten Surprise plays "Work Out" and talks about their hometown roots, giving back, their greatest inspirat. This was their first of the year because of the cancellation of many events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So once I was a teenager, everything else was a faint glimmer, I didn't really understand The States, so coming back was a rough transition for sure. // Privacy Policy Were you sad to leave? No pets (excluding service animals). But before long, Melo who recently announced on Twitter that she is trans, her pronouns are she/her and that she wants to be referred to as Ela Melo and Keller decided they wanted to have a full band, and that's when fellow students Haney, Goodpaster and bassist Charlie Holt joined up. Lyric Video. Ela Melo is the lead vocalist for alt-rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise; she wrote their biggest hit, "It's Called: Freefall.". Documentarian Kyle Thrash was enlisted by the band to create the video for Hide, which depicts sexuality in a subtle way. At that time I was pretty self-absorbed, self-conscious, I mean, I was 14. Rainbow Kitten Surprise Band Music Tour Poster. 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. Their music style is a mix of folk, pop, and rock. Tags: Music Features, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Sam Melo . In this album, Rainbow Kitten Surprise continues to evolve and change their music style while maintaining the core elements of what always makes their music great. If you haven't heard yet, we are so excited to have partnered', Rainbow Kitten Surprise [@RKSBandOfficial], "Hi everyone! Still, deliver the caliber performance that you are hoping to. 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. I'm Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. 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. Associated Press. 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). Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. No professional camera, video, or audio recording equipment. The band has had a meteoric rise since their formation in 2013, with their debut album making it to the top of the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and they have since gone on to tour the world and perform at festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. Up to the point Haney joined the band, Rainbow Kitten Surprise had been the duo of singer Sam Melo and guitarist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller. 264K followers. That was pretty rough going down there as a kid, going from first world comfort to the third world. Im so glad she finally feels comfortable to be her true self! Rainbow Kitten Surprise is quickly becoming one of the most beloved and respected bands of their generation. It is said to mix indie rock and roll, hip-hop, electronic music, and pop influences in its music. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, a five-piece band currently based in Boone, was formed in early 2013 when Sam Melo and Darrick "Bozzy" Keller decided to begin writing and composing . Formed in 2013 by college students Sam Melo and Darrick Keller, Rainbow Kitten Surprise developed a sound that was every bit as colorful as the group's name, eventually becoming one of America's most beloved indie-rock acts of the late 2010s and early 2020s. Saturday's All Aboard! RKS independently released its first album, Seven, which was later re-released together with the band's first EP as a joint album called Seven + Mary. Well, if you keep selling out each show, then Atlantic is going to have to give you more than two-and-a-half weeks in the studio to get it done, right? Formed in an Appalachian State dorm room in 2013 by singer Sam Melo and guitarist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, the duo recorded and self-released their acoustic EP, Mary . And I feel like you've always said it in your music, your answer is to just be yourself. Exploring Clues And Implications Of LGBTQ+ Representation In The Nightmare Before Christmas, ISSLN: A Symbol Of Solidarity And Acceptance For The LGBTQ+ Community, Ask Your Insurance Company About Gay Rights. Rainbow Kitten SurpriseWork Out. Safe travels to you. Sign up for our Events Newsletter. While the band does not have an explicitly religious ideology, it has been noted that some of their music does touch on spiritual and religious themes. 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. 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. Do you have to cancel all press and just go work? They are based in Boone. So happy for her! [9], In April 2019, RKS performed at several venues across North Carolina to raise funds for Equality NC, the country's oldest statewide LGBT equality organization.[10]. It features 13 tracks, including the single "Hide", the music video of which depicts four drag queens coming out to their families. You talked about it being pretty disheartening or defeatist in a way. The Alternative/Indie-Pop band takes influence from great artists . It included a collection of 25 songs performed at a previous live concert. Your favorite tequila battle is back on 4/7/23! Definitely. The North Carolina band have been on the fast track to success in recent years, their first two albums gaining enough support that they began playing I can hop out and do press stuff in the middle of that. As if channeling another dimension where genres simply don't exist, Rainbow Kitten Surprise finds harmony in unpredictability - weaving together lyrical poetry, hummable melodies, and a rush of instrumental eccentricities. They are known for their captivating live performances, which often involve elaborate costumes and choreographed dance . Speech therapy usually only effects talking, not singing, though speech therapy for trans women is essentially vocal training, I underwent it for a little while a few years back. Hailing from the Blue Ridge Mountain college town of Boone, North Carolina, Rainbow Kitten Surprise play a fervent mix of bright indie pop and earnest, harmony-driven folk-rock. And Ethan ended up getting into the band and he was like, 'Well, my roommate used to play drums and he might be able to help us out with a few shows. Even by this early stage, there were signs RKS might balloon beyond a just-for-fun . I killed a man there, in spite, and when he died, I took his place. I think youve only played Florida twice. 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. 4:00AM. 02:32 . From $1.46. By They enjoy it. RKS initially recorded its music under the Split Rail Records label, a student run label at Appalachian State University's Hayes School of Music, where three of the band's members attended. What is genre in the streaming age? Just a few weeks ago at the end of . After forming in 1972, John Fogerty the singer, guitarist, and songwriting mastermind behind Creedence Clearwater Revival broke up the band. The rest of Rainbow Kitten Surprises bandmates also revealed what they identify as. Hi everyone! The Truth About Margaritas: Is It Gay For Men To Drink Them? Watch on. Rainbow Kitten Surprise Fashion Casual Navel,Funny Women_s Personality Sticker. 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. The band is scheduled to play a sold-out show at New Braunfels' Whitewater Amphitheater on Saturday, July 9. "Devil Like Me" went on to get radio play, as did two songs from RKS "Cocaine Jesus" and "Lady Lie" propelling Rainbow Kitten Surprise onto tours and appearances at notable festivals including Bonnaroo and Sasquatch. Im Ela, lead singer of Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Sam Melo and Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, decided to begin writing and . She is responsible for overseeing the bands growth, having worked with them since their inception in 2013 and assisting them with their success. As a result, many of the songs on their albums contain spiritual imagery, such as references to God, angels and heaven. Though each Rainbow Kitten Surprise show has a compelling narrative, we were lucky enough to catch a performance that had a particularly relevant message. Apple store abruptly closes at Northlake Mall, in latest blow to struggling NC site, Something new is heading to the former Lulus restaurant space in Plaza Midwood, How to Watch Donald Trumps CPAC 2023 Speech-Time, Schedule and Livestream, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Chris Rock to finally have his say in new stand-up special, Reports: 3 children dead, 2 wounded in attack at Texas home, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South. Where we would go and huddle up and maybe my dad and one of my brothers, and myself would go get a U-Haul and get our stuff from the airport, or however it was shipped. But you guys have tons of it, I'm sure. Rainbow Kitten Surprise - Photo by Chris Taylor. Their music blends elements of folk, jazz, rock, and hip-hop, creating a unique and captivating sound. Before long, Melo and Keller had grown RKS into a full band with Haney, Goodpaster and bassist Charlie Holt. It's Called: Freefall . Rainbow Kitten Surprise has booked two nights at Colorado's iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2022. NINE LIVES: Rainbow Kitten Surprise frontman Sam Melo, who brings the band to The Ritz in Ybor City, Florida on September 17, 2018. That was pretty rough going down there as a kid, going from first world comfort to the third world. . . The contemplative "Mission to Mars" then eases into fuller band arrangements and introduces lead singer Sam Melo's stylized, melodic speaking-rapping. Rainbow Kitten Surprise hails from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. As they tried to come up with a name for their music, Rainbow Kitten Surprise was born. All of the things that were hinted at for this last one will get fleshed out. I think it's cool that people, it always hits ya like the story would. Yeah, so Tampa is kind of a city I only know in a very limited fashion. You don't tend to hole up by yourself and write lyrics when you're happy. Rainbow Kitten Surprise's Tampa concert moved from Orpheum to The Ritz Ybor City. Formed in an Appalachian State dorm room in 2013 by singer Ela Melo and guitarist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, the duo recorded and self-released their first acoustic EP, Mary, before recruiting additional members Ethan Goodpaster (guitar), Charlie Holt (bass), and Jess Haney (drums) to complete the lineup. 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. The Ritz, 1503 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City. I'm happy to share with you that I am trans. Our Song. The expansion resulted in the bigger, more energetic sound heard on their debut album, Seven, which was later repackaged with their EP in a release called Seven + Mary. Thrash has previously performed at Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits. Exploring The Authenticity Of Being Big Gay : A Discussion. And it would be a different record if it got made in nine months, but sometimes you need the two-week record. Arriving in 2018, the band's breakout full-length debut for Elektra, "How to: Friend, Love, Freefall. In June 2019, they performed at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater, which they sold out in seven days. The Alternative/Indie-Pop band takes influence from great artists like Modest Mouse, Lana Del Rey, and Kings of Leon. . The band name was created by a friend who was on a morphine drip at the time, recently out of surgery. Founded In. 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 . The band opened with one of the marquee tracks off of their most recent release, "It's Called: Freefall," a haunting folk-rock-tinged song that addresses internal conflict. People who are b. Or these are 2 different people? Their songs are often filled with clever wordplay and heartfelt lyrics. 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. A rainbow kitten surprise concert can last anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours. Well, it just so happens that two of the members of the five-piece band are also members of the LGBTQ+ community - singer Sam Melo is gay and bassist Charlie Holt is trans. . The opening track was a slow-burn, but once Sam Melo danced his way to stage, the front of the crowd came alive at "It's Called: Freefall." Twirls, drops, rapid-fire harmonies ensued. But back to the Bustelo question. San Diego Gay & Lesbian News (SDGLN) is the top-read news source for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community of San Diego. The band is made up of singer-songwriter Sam Melo, bassist Darrick "Bozzy" Keller, drummer Jesse Wells, and guitarist Richarddriver. In fact, as commitments go, he thought it was as minimal as it gets. The band formed in Boone, North Carolina. "Seven + Mary" was their first and most folky album, which combined haunting melodies with the unique and striking voice of lead vocalist Sam Melo. Steven Loftin finds out how they went from obscurity to their first sell-out London show. It just sounds great. Rainbow Kitten Surprise. The alternative band will perform at the famous music venue on Monday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 12, concert promoter AEG Presents announced Monday. Rainbow Kitten Surprise Sticker. "It all just happened so fast. Sam Melo, bassist Darrick Bozzy Keller, drummer Jess Haney, and guitarist/keyboardist Ethan Goodpaster are the members of this band. [2] Their first EP, Mary, was recorded in a dorm room at the university. The Boone, North Carolina quintet hit the Moody Theater stage in support of its highly acclaimed third album How To: Friend, Love, Freefall, from which comes the hits "Hide" and "Fever Pitch . That those are your problems. I will do my best to solve the issue. A year of heavy touring followed and yielded the 2021 concert album RKS! Right of Admission Reserved. If you have three days to make it, you'll make it in three days. 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 . Sam Melo. My pronouns are she/her. Popular Sam Melo songs. . 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. Hi everyone! i saw their instagram post and freaked out bc i thought sam left. One day we were all sitting in Boone and the next thing we were touring the world. Rainbow Kitten Surprise consists of Sam Melo, Darrick 'Bozzy' Keller, Ethan Goodpaster, Jess Haney and Charlie Holt. By TOM KRISHER and MARK THIESSEN (Photo/Christina R . Hide has been elevated by the LGBT community as an anthem but front man Sam Melo says it was never meant as an anthem but more just about his own journey of self discovery. Over the past couple of years, I've been doing some major soul searching in the pursuit of my authentic self. SDGLN provides in-depth coverage on issues of importance to the LGBT community and our allies. More than three million streams of the bands music are recorded each month on Spotify. Im happy to share with you that I am trans. Facebook screengrab By Tom Lanham. 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.