The Kill Van Kulls
Biography
Manchester based four-piece The Kill Van Kulls have been turning heads since late 2010 with their anthemic indie-pop. Support slots with The Naked & Famous, Airbourne Toxic Event and The Answering Machine have opened the band to a wider audience, proving that The Kill Van Kulls can handle a bigger stage.
Originally starting as a three piece Gareth Bartlett (vocals / keyboards), Christopher Milton (Guitars / vocals), Chris Walton (Bass / vocals) were joined by drummer Benjamin Mousley in summer 2010. An appearance at the annual music showcase In The City in October kick started interest from music fans in their hometown, and the industry in general.
New single ‘Lost and Found’ is a huge indie tune that recalls Prince styled grooves with a chorus to die for. People are quick to draw comparison with 80s such as Echo & The Bunneymen, Simple Minds and OMD, which reflects the classic nature of the band’s songwriting, though The Kill Van Kulls are equally influenced by acts such as Phoenix and Cut Copy. ‘Lost and Found’ is released digitally via the band’s own label, KVK Records, a bold move but testament to their ambition.
Previous to this release the viral video for ‘Wooden Heart’ was been picked up by Record of the Day as well as the likes of Mybandisbetterthanyourband, and My Old Kentucky Blog who wrote “With it’s dazzling video filled with 70’s surf footage from the North Shore at Sunset Beach and Pipeline, Wooden Heart calls for an endless summer, filled with the bittersweet, spine-tingling zeal of one who’s always waiting to catch the next big wave.” Dedicated surf site Transworld.net were similarly impressed and showcased the video recently.
Debut single ‘Fools Wish’, released on 14th March on limited 7th vinyl, received plaudits from Pop in Stereo who decreed, “’Fools Wish’ is a wonderfully crafted piece of pop heaven.” Whilst Audioporn Central described the track as, “a finely tuned guitar-pop gem”. ‘Fools Wish’ also made the XFM Evening Play list, as well as regular plays on BBC Manchester Introducing, Amazing Radio and New to Q.
Reviews
"From the outset, a blanket of synths inter-mingles effortlessly with a slow-burning rhythm section. The instrumentation, alongside the palpable sense of drama within its arrangement, makes it clear that The Kill Van Kulls are channelling a fond appreciation for the 80s in what they do….There's something distinctively British, fragile and self-effacing about 'Fools Wish' and if the rumours are true about it being conceived in a disused mill in Stockport, then the setting's undoubtedly at odds with the true scale that they're aiming for as 2011 rolls on."
