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Kiwi Band is about a magical vibe: an intangible, emotional response to music. Striving for pure expression, Kiwi Band's music evokes many styles, but is never stylized. Kiwi Band blends modern rock, alternative, and classic rock sounds to create what one critic appropriately calls "funky alterna-pop." Elements of ska, punk, techno, and even country music are all clearly evident in the music of Kiwi Band. The Pennsylvania Musician Magazine calls Kiwi Band "an overflowing cornucopia of sound." With the 2006 release of their third cd, "Too Hot For Pepe," Kiwi Band gained many new fans, and explored new avenues of exposure for what one reviewer calls their "sneakily indelible" melodies.
Singer/multi-instrumentalist Ed Artz and singer/bassist Lee Kendrick launched their musical partnership with Kiwi Band's first release, "Fuzzy and Tangy." "Fuzzy and Tangy's" first single, the infectious, ska-influenced "Emma Shake," struck a nerve with audiences, critics and local radio. Exposure from "Fuzzy and Tangy" enabled the band to secure several high profile bookings, most notably Op-Sail in Philadelphia and the Countdown Lancaster New Year's Eve event, as well as a headline appearance at the prestigious Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.
Also, Kiwi Band wrote, recorded and released its second full length cd, "Tunnel Hill." Enlisting the services of Van Morrison producer/engineer Daoud Shaw, the band honed its signature sound, delighting previous fans and winning many new ones. "Tunnel Hill's" singles, the hard-driving "Heavy" and the funky "Now That You Have It" were favorites on local college radio, with "Now That You Have It" gaining a slot in regular rotation on WQSU 88.5 (Susquehanna University). More positive press also followed the release of "Tunnel Hill," and Kiwi Band emerged as one of South Central PA's busiest live acts, playing acoustic and electric shows at club venues and festival events from Harrisburg to Philly and beyond.
With their third cd, "Too Hot For Pepe," Kiwi Band expanded their musical vocabulary once again. Reviews have elicited comparisons to the sounds of Steely Dan, Al Green, Sergio Mendes and Peter Gabriel. Once again enlisting producer/engineer Daoud Shaw, this time also as session drummer, the band tightened its rhythm groove while maintaining the creative vocal harmonies which have become one of the most popular elements of the Kiwi Band sound. The music also contains many interesting and surprising combinations of acoustic, electric, and electronic sounds, the kinds of sounds which have prompted past listeners to refer to Kiwi Band's music as "exotic." The positive response to "Too Hot For Pepe" led to a busy 2006 for the Kiwi Band, with highlights including appearances at the Narberth Summer Concert Series, The Philadelphia Distance Run, and The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival.
Early 2007 saw Kiwi Band hard at work on an acoustic concert DVD set for release later in the year, as well as planning an active live performance schedule for the 2007 festival season. Meanwhile Kiwi Band continues to write and record new material, as well as continuing to license songs for use in film and video. The Kiwi Band looks forward to building on its past success, while gaining greater exposure and pursuing new horizons with its music.
Discography
Album - Fuzzy and Tangy
Album - Tunnel Hill
Single - Christmastime
Album - Too Hot for Pepe
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