Throughout the rollercoaster ride that was high school for me, one album became my crutch: Rainbow Kitten Surprise's "How to: Friend, Love Freefall". This album kept me going when things got tough. It was somehow a friend and comfort to me all at once. I tend to take things literally. So, when posed with the thought of being abandoned on an island alone with only one disc to listen to, this album comes to mind immediately. During a time that I felt the most alone, sad, and frustrated, these tracks kept me afloat. Let's dive into the band behind my musical lifeline. Rainbow Kitten Surprise - an indie rock band with a sound as colorful and unpredictable as their name suggests.
RKS (for short) was created in Boone, North Carolina, and is most known for their vibrant and eclectic music style. They formed in 2013 while the members were still in college at Appalachian State University. The members include Ela Melo (lead vocalist), Darrick "Bozzy" Keller (guitar, backup vocals), Ethan Goodpaster (electric guitar), Jess Haney (drums), and Charlie Holt (bass). The name came from a friend who had recently come out of surgery, on a morphine drip. They quickly gained attention for their energetic performances. They are a blend of elements of rock, soul, pop, and alternative, creating a very distinct sound. They draw influences from a wide range of genres, their fusion is truly as diverse as their strange name suggests. A few artists they pull inspiration from include Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon, Frank Ocean, and more. They released their first album in 2013, and a second one in 2015. Their true breakthrough came in 2018 with the album "How to: Friend, Love, Freefall", where their place in the indie music scene solidified. The album showcases their evolution as musicians and people, with very introspective lyrics and dynamic instrumentation. RKS has a very dedicated fanbase (including myself). Their ability to blend different genres and explore emotional depth through their music contributes to my loyalty to the band.
Album cover: "How to: Friend, Love, Freefall"
"How to: Friend, Love, Freefall" has 13 songs, totaling 36 minutes and 31 seconds in length. As Rainbow Kitten Surprise's third and most recent album, it continues their evolution as a band while still maintaining what makes them so memorable. Their first album, "Seven + Mary" was the most "folky", if you will. The melodies are almost haunting, and the lead singer Melo truly stands out throughout. The next album "RKS", implemented more elements of rock to their original style. Now, with "How to: Friend, Love, Freefall", folk is being brought back into the picture, but notably different that how "Seven + Mary" sounds. This album brings in blues, rock, country, and gospel-sounding chords and vocals that elevate the folk sound that still undeniably dominates the album. While it might seem that this range of genres being thrown together would sound messy, they all fit together beautifully. The album definitely builds further on Melo's distinct and unique voice, but they are not alone now. The other albums have occasional backup vocals, but in this album other members' vocals can be found in every single song. This makes each track sound almost layered and more dynamic. In sum, this album dives into love and loss as concepts, but also as feelings. I adore it.
What I love about RKS is that I simply have not heard any other band that comes remotely close in the world of alternative and folk music. This consistent devotion I have for them comes not from just a general preference for the genre (for chill or moody moments), but this unspoken connection I have with them. There is a beautiful solace that I find in their uniqueness and the different, less mainstream, identity that they embody. The ebbs and flows of life as a teenager can feel especially heavy when your hormones are crazy and you’re still figuring out who you are and who you want to be. RKS provided a soundtrack that mirrored my emotional confusions, struggles, and triumphs with ease. The heartfelt lyrics and soul-touching vocals, especially by Melo, brought me such a comforting presence during my teens. "Hold my hand darling / Pull me in your waters / When you call my name / I'll be on my way" is half of the first song on the album, "Pacific Love". This song is all but 23 seconds long and sets the scene for the friend that the album was, and continues to be, for me.
I won't lie, RKS was not immediately my favorite sound or band. My best friend, also named Anna, put me onto them right as we got our licenses. I simply can't believe that was already 6 years ago. She had discovered them and had her own personal connections with the band. We shared a parking pass and drove to school together every single morning. Even though we were running late each morning, we would have our silent jam sessions. Throughout this time, RKS would become my most cherished band. I vividly remember our car rides in the wintertime, below zero temperatures during those Minnesota winters. Hopping into Anna's car, the sound of "Painkillers" coming from the speakers. "Very lovely morning / Try not to kill yourself today" being the first lyric of that one… The tone of the song is not sad, however, it's almost like its poking fun at depression. Something her and I did with one another frequently. We were both in the thick of it at that time, and between her and this album, it really helped to keep things as light as they could be for us. Okay, maybe "Painkillers" isn’t exactly poking fun at the topic, but I've never taken the song literally. I honestly can't say I've ever taken any of their songs literally, per say word for word. Sometimes they just happen to say what you're thinking, or the melodies pick you up and float with you while you harmlessly dissociate.
A recent picture of Anna & I
The most important song to me on this album is "It's Called: Freefall". The lyrics have always really spoken to me, especially at a time when I felt unlovable. It talks about loneliness and befriending the "devil" solely because of desperation to be wanted. Whether or not this was the intention of the lyrics, that's how I interpreted them. Verses 2 and 3 really ramp up the intensity of this desperation:
"Some day's end when I need a few friends / Now and again I could never hope to keep them / Thought to give friends what I thought that they wanted / Never had they needed a good friend as I've been / Don't get me venting on friends who resent you 'cause all you've ever done is been a noose to hang on to / They thought was a necklace and reckless they fell into hell where you both hang with nothing to do."
There is a tone of anger and frustration almost, which were feelings I felt in various friendships that did not treat me well at the time I heard this song. I felt understood in the music, with the last few lyrics repeating "'Cause ain't shit free but falling out / And that shit's easy, lemme show you how". It sounded to me like an encouragement to break free from the things that were no longer serving me or to "protect my peace" in a sense. I owe a lot of positive changes and growth to the encouragement I found in this song. I feel as though the repetition in this song echoes a great truth and reminder: the cost of maintaining toxic relationships is much higher than the ease of just letting them go. For me, "It's Called: Freefall" is a true testament to the healing power of music and how when you really listen in, a lot of great lessons can be learned from lyrics.
I frequently found myself weaving my own narrative into RKS's songs, intertwining their melodies with my experiences. Sometimes it can be difficult to listen to their music now because it takes me back to the feelings I first had when they found me. Despite this occasional difficulty there is an undeniable beauty in nostalgia. It serves as a reminder of the distance I've traveled since my initial introduction to RKS's music. I feel an immense gratitude for the band. Their music has been the background of many moments of joy, resilience, self-discovery. RKS is the single soundtrack to the evolution of my own narrative, especially during my teenage years. I know that RKS has been a friend to many, and I feel very empowered to say they have always been a friend of mine! With their music, I never feel alone. I highly encourage any and everyone to take a look at their albums, especially if you're unfamiliar.
Shoutout my girl Anna, wouldn't have found them without her.
RKS at Red Rocks in Colorado, June 2022
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