TVD Contributor Ariane Trahan is the founder of Easy Apple, an artist development company that helps build connections for musicians between New Orleans (the Easy) and New York City (the Apple).
King Rey is rock/psychedelic/disco churned up in the Mississippi and washed up on the muddy banks of New Orleans. We are as good as drugs. Do yourself a favor.
—King Rey’s Twitter description
Another boastful portrayal from a textbook rock band… or the foretelling of a dramatic splash onto the local music scene?
So far I’ve had a hard time figuring out this 5-piece motley crew. Fast becoming known for their beach-infused melodies and easy going live shows, they leave new listeners with the taste of the unknown between their teeth. A simple Google search depicts two versions of King Rey: one fronted by Matthew Cloutier (the current drummer), and a second lead by Kyle Riche (the former bassist). You can still hear songs from both arrangements online, so just who does King Rey think they are?
The sweet side of this dichotomy illuminates the stage at a King Rey show. It’s like night and day somewhere between the third and fifth song of their set. Not that anything’s wrong with either sound. The first half is true to what you find on their Facebook fan page (for the most part), all Beach Boy’ed out with simple structure, leaving you with that warm summery glow of a first date ended well. 180 degrees over and you witness a more grown-up band of men, where the individual elements of each instrument are much more methodical, intentional, and well-played.
Trey Cloutier’s delicate playing of the keys is appreciated, emerging and fading at all the right times, never taking the spotlight completely. Adding to Cloutier’s talent of subtlety are the random interventions of Brad Stire’s crazed guitar swoons, which flow seamlessly with Riche’s vocal melodies.
I could stand for more movement on stage from the band as a whole, but perhaps they’d like to further confuse us with a little shoegaze persona. They are a young band, so they still give off that awkward, “We’re new to the spotlight,” deer-in-headlights kind of introduction, but given some time to warm up and find their collective comfort zone, I think New Orleans will be in for a real treat with this band.
For fans of No Age and Modey Lemon (my favorite psychedelic band!), I recommend seeing King Rey up close and personal. Trust me when I say that no matter how thrown off you are by their digital imprint, you’ll be even more side-swiped after hearing them live.
King Rey shares the stage with local darlings, Big History at Eiffel Society this Friday, September 23. Baby Bee opens at 8pm.
