I’m a verified Memphis Music lover, so when I got the call to pen this piece about my favorite local band, jolts of excitement started tickling my brain. The beautiful thing about this assignment is in a town like Memphis it’s hard to go wrong. Music is a labor of love in this city, which is exactly why I’ve chosen rock & rollers, Rind Stars. Their work is evident in both their recorded output and their live shows.
I was first introduced to this band when I met their lead singer Matt Timberlake while we were both employed at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Upon listening to their first record, Sounds of Fire and Light, I was intrigued with this band. It was a raw mix of true alternative rock and power pop that was immediately accessible but also grew on you with repeat listens. Standout tracks like “Estupid Country Song,” “Hemmingway,” and “The Tick” seem to be their jumping off point as they evolved to the more mature sound that appears on their follow-up, The Not So Great Depression. On this album there is a healthy mix of psychedelia, Americana, and straight-ahead rock that displays a musical eclecticism reminiscent of Beck, Elvis Costello, and even fellow-locals, Snowglobe. Vocal harmonies, layered keyboards, percussion, and horn arrangements are present on each song, but never get in the way of the clever lyrics and infectious grooves. As soon as you hear tunes like “I Love You,” “Hey Mama,” and “Your Turn to Drive,” you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
Another reason I’ve chosen this band, is their commitment to play an equal mix of late-night bars and family-friendly venues and festivals. While that quality isn’t necessarily rare among Memphis band, it’s definitely appreciated. Their live show simply should not to be missed. Their multi-instrumental prowess in the studio doesn’t end there because their live line-up completely represents their recorded product. In other words the beautiful arrangements they’ve crafted in the studio stand up to the live test.
If you haven’t already stopped reading this to download their albums or check their social media pages for their show schedule, please take some time to do so. This band is exemplifies the depth and breadth of outstanding Memphis Music.
Dirk Kitterlin is the Assistant Music Director at the Stax Music Academy in Memphis, TN. Dirk has also performed with local bands The Third Man, Jump Back Jake, Good Luck Dark Star, The Bulletproof Vests, Clay Otis & The Showbiz Lights, and Bryan Hartley Industries.
