Featured Image: (Pacer Graphic / Darby Self)
Since the end of the golden era of indie bands in the early oughts, there haven’t been many groups able to stand the test of time. Whether they split due to infighting or they just don’t have the passion anymore, indie bands have been an endangered species as of late. However, there have been a few groups that have been able to avoid this dire fate. One of them is the ever-unique group, Rainbow Kitten Surprise (RKS).
RKS formed as an alt-rock indie band in an Appalachian State University dorm in 2013 when guitarist Darrick Keller and lead vocalist Ela Melo had the idea to start a musical duo. The distinctive name came from a friend of the group who had just bounced back from a serious illness and was under the influence of morphine.
After recording their first single, Mary, in the same App. State dorm they formed in, the duo grew to include three more members: lead guitarist Ethan Goodpaster, drummer Jess Haney and bassist Charlie Holt. Now a fully formed band, Rainbow Kitten Surprise independently released their debut album, Seven, on Nov. 11, 2013. They then re-released Seven just days later on Nov. 19, bundling it with Mary to comprise their first EP, the titular Seven + Mary.
RKS began making waves over the next few years while performing at large music venues like Tennessee’s Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. On April 6, 2018, they released How to: Friend, Love, Freefall, their first album under the major record label Elektra Records. How to: Friend, Love, Freefall may just be the band’s magnum opus. Not only is it the only one of their albums to achieve gold status, but one of its featured songs, It’s Called: Freefall, went platinum many times over. A large moment for RKS occurred when lead vocalist Ela Melo came out publicly as a transgender woman. After internal complications in early 2024, the band separated from bassist Charlie Holt. Despite this, RKS continued to release music and grow in popularity.
The sound of Rainbow Kitten Surprise can best be described as poetical. A soothing tempo accompanied by calming lyrics that usually have a compelling message behind them. For instance, their song, Painkillers conveys a message of hope. Through heartfelt lyrics and a beautiful performance by Ela, RKS tells the listener that there will be heartache as a result of living but that it shouldn’t define one’s life. Growth beyond these dark times is what the painkillers are—a ray of sunshine during a beautiful morning. It’s the genius lyrics like this that have allowed RKS to achieve the level of fame that they currently reside in.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise has now hit the mainstream. From humble beginnings in Appalachia to playing sold out stadiums nationwide, RKS is undeniable proof that having faith in and honing your talents can take you farther than you ever dreamed of going. A success story that everyone can look up to. With over 7.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, many fans have been able to identify with and find comfort in the music of RKS. With an excellent fanbase and a band that’s been through thick and thin together, Rainbow Kitten Surprise will undeniably achieve a level of success that most bands rarely see.
RECOMMENDED WORKS: Painkillers / Cocaine Jesus / Devil Like Me / Espionage / Good Night Chicago
