Kinski

While debating the merits of analog vs. digital recording in a Seattle pub, guitarist Chris Martin and bassist Lucy Atkinson were interrupted by the bartender, drummer Dave Weeks. He said, definitively, that analog was superior; thus, Kinski came into being. This same spontaneity would come to define their multi-layered noise rock, reminiscent of <a href="spotify:artist:5UqTO8smerMvxHYA5xsXb6">Sonic Youth</a> at their most experimental. Kinski began playing live in 1998. By the summer of 1999, the trio had released its first record, Space Launch for Frenchie. With six songs clocking in at 45 minutes, it inevitably sparked some debate of its own: EP or LP? Later that year, the band explored newer textures in its live set, and friend Matthew Reid Schwartz (guitar, keyboards) was added to the lineup. Kinski have toured with <a href="spotify:artist:2LQdaMOuYuWimBFLczbiZL">Mainliner</a> (Japan), <a href="spotify:artist:1DLVE5Zn39Mmuh057Pe1aB">Hovercraft</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:3SpA64SUzDeu1Q4MztoGw3">Silkworm</a>. In 2001, their follow-up, Be Gentle with the Warm Turtle, arrived. Two years later, the group returned with its <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Sub+Pop%22">Sub Pop</a> debut, Airs Above Your Station; by this time, Barrett Wilke had taken over as drummer from Dave Weeks. A split release with <a href="spotify:artist:1IOZiK4LTN0EjjdAogOCE1">Acid Mothers Temple</a> was also issued in 2003. A West Coast tour supporting <a href="spotify:artist:5UMQV83wwZCCvRSQCVjZw6">Mission of Burma</a> coincided with Kinski's fourth album, Don't Climb on and Take the Holy Water, in spring 2004. Alpine Static followed in 2005. Released in 2007, Down Below It's Chaos added a '70s hard rock vibe and vocals to their intense drones. Following a string of collaborative releases, including a split 7" with <a href="spotify:artist:2ZHNwvYaMbD8zuObAXVHEr">Bardo Pond</a>, sixth album Cosy Moments arrived on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Kill+Rock+Stars%22">Kill Rock Stars</a> in 2013, ending a relatively dormant five-year stretch between albums. Just two years later, Kinski were back with a new album, titled 7 (Or 8). In 2018, the band celebrated their 20th anniversary with a pair of releases. In October of that year they reissued their 2001 record Be Gentle with the Warm Turtle on vinyl and put out a brand-new record. Accustomed to Your Face was produced and recorded by Phil Manley (<a href="spotify:artist:1YFIyRFTa7povIpq08DcCA">Trans Am</a>), who also worked on 7 (Or 8). ~ Eric J. Iannelli, Rovi