HISTORY
Singer/songwriter Kid Valance has been traversing the North American
continent longer than most of today's musicians have been stringing their
guitars. His wanderlust drove him from his native Kentucky as a teen and
since then he's tried landscaping in Florida, performing in a rhythm and
blues cover band in Southern California, and traveling to many points in
between.
He eventually found his way back toward home and now spends most of his
non-traveling time recording and playing music while living in a cozily-stuffed
1960s school bus in Cincinnati, Ohio. Among the knick-knacks cramming his
humble abode are paperback Westerns, photos, and a well-worn acoustic guitar
appropriately painted with a locomotive on the front and a sprawling landscape
on the back.
It's obvious from his stark and eccentric surroundings that Kid likes to
keep things simple, especially when it comes to music. A three-cord tune
becomes a spiritual manifesto when coupled with his coarse vocals and lyrical
writing that sounds off to the likes of Dylan and Young. Kid's music sticks
to the spirit of America's musical roots: gritty blues, country ballads,
R&B-centered rock.
Although Kid often performs solo, he has been writing and recording with
his band Mongrel Soup, which includes bassist Chris Lee,
drummer James Callahan and guitarist Sean Saatkamp. The group has
recorded its first full-length CD for CattleProd Recordings. Ranging
from blistering folk rock to devilishly sweet and wistful ballads, the
music captures the heart of the rural Midwest. This is the kind of music
you might hear at your local coffeehouse, but just remember to pour some
whiskey in that mug. (Kentucky whiskey that is.)
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