- - - ARTIST OF THE YEAR - - -
This year has placed countless restraints on artists. Whether it has been the lack of gigs causing financial issues, the mental battles of lockdown or the uncertainty of postponements and the struggle to keep fans excited for events, every artist has had to adjust. Ferocious punk rockers Kid Kapichi have certainly felt the effects as they gear up for their debut album. However, this has not held them back. With four stomping singles released in 2020 they have convinced us that their album is set to be something special and have earned the title of our Artist of the Year. We caught up with lead singer Jack to get us even more excited for their upcoming album.
- THE SOUND -
Kid Kapichi's debut album 'This Time Next Year' is set for release on February 5th 2021 and is available to pre-order now. Although not directly written about the events of 2020, the album captures the emotions and frustrations that we have all felt. "We struggled with a name for quite a while, which is unlike us. Normally the name comes first and the rest falls into place but this one was a bit more difficult. It took us finishing all the tracks and listening as a whole piece before something felt right. It’s a double meaning really, a lot of the songs are based around clinging onto some form of hope that things will change and your luck could finally come up trumps. From a small seaside town; sometimes the gambling on hope is all you have to see you through to the next day or week. It also made a lot of sense because it was written and produced during lockdown. So we had a constant feeling of ‘this time next year’. As a musician you often hear those 4 words a lot and it can be a toxic way to view things as it often means you don’t appreciate how far you’ve come, as you’re always looking onto the next ‘big thing’. However, being forced not to jump the gun can benefit an artist. Of course, a debut album is a huge milestone for any band yet it can be tempting to put one out as soon as you have enough tracks for it but this can lead to a naive and uncohesive record.
It is evident that the time Kid Kapichi have spent waiting for their first record has certainly aided them. Although their first singles showcase their raw and unrelenting energy, there is an added refinement and big venue sound to their newer releases. Judging by the singles from this year it feels as though the album is coming at the perfect time. "At times it was extremely frustrating and you just want it out yesterday; but looking back, it’s clear that waiting was 100% the right call, and the album wouldn’t be what it was if we didn’t have the time and freedom to write what we really wanted. So many times we thought the album was done, only to write another handful of tunes that would take the places of others we thought were going to be on there. The album is very different now from the one we thought it might be a year ago, and all for the better in our opinions".
- THE MESSAGE -
'This Time Next Year' features all of their singles from this year as well as 7 brand new tracks including 'Violence', a highlight of the album for the band. "If there was one song that really summed up how we’ve been feeling recently, that’d be ‘VIOLENCE’. So listen out for that one". There is a strong synergy between each track on the album that encapsulates the over arching spirit of the band. It is a feeling of bubbling angst that just has to be let out, a feeling that has become increasingly relatable as the year heads to it's end. "We are all going through difficult times right now and we just want to put the message across that you’re not alone, we’re all part of this mess and we can get through it. The first half of the album is very angry and I think people will resonate with that". Although fans may be dissapointed to see the Hastings outfit say goodbye to some of their best tracks like '2019' and 'Death Dips', the new tracks pack just as much of their no-nonsense mosh-worthy power. "As a musician I think you’re constantly glad to get shot of old tunes. We always think our latest tune is our best tune and that’s just how it is. That doesn’t however make it true. For us it was nice to start a fresh and just write what we felt, but we know people enjoy the older tunes a lot and we’ll still be playing songs like '2019' live".
The album tracks also deliver many of the same lyrical messages that lie at the heart of Kid Kapichi. The ideas behind tracks like 'Make It On Your Own' are ever present on 'This Time Next Year', raising questions over self-sufficiency, hard work and financial inequality. "It’s extremely close to our hearts. We grew up and still live in Hastings where you see people moving down from the big cities. buying million pound seaside homes in a town with one of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK. But of course that is part of a bigger picture in society currently. We write about what we see and our own personal experiences as much as we can. It’s always been that way and I don’t think we’d know where to begin if we changed up that formula. My views on ‘making it on your own’ are and have always been the same. Go for it, but understand your privilege and how your starting point may be different from someone else’s. It’s okay to think you got somewhere through hard work alone, but some people aren’t given the opportunity to work hard". This mindset isn't only displayed through their lyrics as the band have taken a direct stand this year heading down to their local BLM protest to speak to their community. "It’s your duty to stand up and speak out especially when it comes to BLM. To turn a blind eye is to accept the way things are and to accept that is deluded. I hope it has yeah, I think as white males, we didn’t want to get up and talk about what we were doing to help or give ourselves a pat on the back. We wanted to talk about the work that needs to be done as there is a lot, and that is on us".
- THE FEELING -
As with many of this new wave of underground Punk outfits, it is one thing to hear their recorded sound but it is something else to feel their music live. Kid Kapichi were actually the last live event we were able to attend. Of course we didn't know this at the time but we couldn't have hoped for a better last gig before lockdown.
We wouldn't be suprised if the basement of YES is still ringing from the electrifying sonic display they put on. Thinking back it is a reminder of how important live music is to venues, bands and fans alike. "It’s been tough. There is a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes constantly, so gigs are normally the time to let off some steam, so it’s definitely been hard. We are working as closely as we can with promoters and our agent to get things locked in and sorted. In the meantime we do have 2 socially distanced nights at the de la warr Pavillion in Bexhill ( near Hastings ) sold out for the album launch. So we’re just counting down the days till that". It isn't just the angst filled energy that is so infectious with Kid Kapichi. They manage to bring so much force an aggression into each song while also building a song that is melodic and catchy from start to finish. When you hear each track you couldn't think of a single change you would make. The verses often bring in a fast-paced vocal delivery that begs to be sung along to whilst the instrumentals play off each other producing a swirling dance-worthy beat. However, it is the chorus' of the foursome that fully display their quality. Soaring vocal lines that reverberate around your head long after the final note is gone. They use the two voices of Jack and Ben to create an ansgty harmony that rides atop the grizzly sonic underbelly and leaves you craving their next track. "Our two voices compliment each other. Ben can go for the melodic parts whereas myself ( Jack ) can go for the more abrasive and aggressive sections. I think any USP is good to have and I guess that’s one of ours. . . And the Libertines."
If you haven't already then check out Kid Kapichi NOW!! Go and pre-order their new album and listen to our personal favourite 'Household Shame' on our 'Album of 2020' playlist.
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