The band consists of Reggie Youngblood (vocals and guitar), Owen Holmes (bass guitar), Kevin Snow (drums and percussion), Dawn Watley (keyboards and vocals), and Reggie’s sister Ali Youngblood (keyboards and vocals). They started out playing shows in Jacksonville, often as a supporting act for more well-known bands coming through town. The band received national attention after a breakout performance at the Athens Popfest in Athens, Georgia on August 11, 2007, which led to a sudden flurry of coverage in the music press, including NME, Vice, The Guardian, and The Village Voice. The same month, Black Kids’ demo EP, Wizard of Ahhhs, was released via free download on their MySpace page. Soon after, Black Kids began working with Quest Management, the company that manages Björk and Arcade Fire. In October, the EP received a favorable review of 8.4 out of 10 from Pitchfork Media, including a “Best New Music” commendation. Black Kids participated in the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City in October, earning the band exposure in The New York Times and USA Today. In December the band travelled to London for a brief tour. Rolling Stone called them one of ten “Artists to Watch” in 2008 and the band was also included in the BBC Sound of 2008 poll. Black Kids toured the United Kingdom in early 2008, including the Vice Live Tour with Friendly Fires and Ipso Facto, a Sons and Daughters tour, and a Kate Nash tour. In April and May, Black Kids toured the United States as an opening act for Cut Copy. The band played the summer festival circuit in the U.S. and the UK, including the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April, Radio 1’s Big Weekend in May, Glastonbury Festival in June, and T in the Park and Camp Bestival in July. They are currently scheduled for a headlining tour which will bring them to Europe from June to August, North America from September to October, and back to Europe in October and November. While in the UK the band recorded their debut album, Partie Traumatic, with producer Bernard Butler, former guitarist of Suede. Their first single, “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You”, was released in the UK on April 7 and debuted at #11 on the UK Singles Chart. “Hurricane Jane”, the followup single, was released in the UK on June 23, where it charted at #36. The album Partie Traumatic was released on July 7 in the UK on Almost Gold Recordings, debuting at #5, and was released two weeks later in the US on Columbia Records, debuting at #127. |
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