Violent Kin

On October 12, Violent Kin will release “Velvet Hideout”. Dark and dancey, the four-song EP pays homage to Genesis and Tears for Fears, but moves in a way that can only be described as “electro-rock”. Taking a nod from Fleetwood Mac, the lead vocal is won by the singer who is telling the story, though the harmonies make the song whole. With guitar riffs that are lonely and plaintive one moment and reminiscent of Michael Jackson the next, synth lines that turn from hauntingly pretty to infectiously fun, and drums that will eat you alive, the Velvet Hideout EP is more a meal than an appetizer to their upcoming 2011 full-length release.

The sibling team of S.J. Kardash and Maygen Kardash recorded their debut album “Bitter Blood” in 2009 from their home base in Saskatoon, a place that saw the rise and fall of their previous project The Blood Lines a couple of years back. A brutally honest telling of their current affairs, their debut was lauded as “danceable”, “chilling”, “poetic”, “funky”, “serious”, “baroque”, and “tender” all in one review (Bianca Marcus, Chartattack). And in keeping with their mandate of taking every opportunity that comes their way, the Kin, having never played a show, quickly assembled a band and moved to New York for a summer residency.

After a North American tour including dates with UK buzz-band Band of Skulls and showcases at CMJ, CMW, NXNE and LA’s famed Viper Room, the pair returned home feeling inspired to create. And as the venom of their first album seemed to evaporate, a new feeling of gratitude and understanding arose. In their Velvet Hideout they crafted songs whose lyrics of solitude, doubt, and love are a constant reminder that all we have is family.