Kid Mountain

Look, we’re already in vacation mode here at Vanyaland, counting down the hours until a glorious four-day holiday weekend sets in and fireworks get set off. But, while we’re not gonna be pushy about what to do on Independence Day Eve, we will show you this video of Boston/Providence experimental pop band KID MOUNTAIN playing a post-set gig outside on the Great Scott patio back in March during an Eye Design gig. That was March. It’s now July; beautiful and warm and overrun with good vibes.

So we’re just sayin’. Check out the band’s recent record Happies, as well, after the video jump. - Vanyaland

This one is a bit of a cheat because Kid Mountain has roots both in Boston and Rhode Island, but it’s okay because I hereby declare them a Boston band and that’s the BOTTOM LINE. Kid Mountain’s latest LP, Happies, was released rather quietly, but I’m certain that once enough people hear it, it’s going to make a big impression. They remind me of a more cheerful, almost surfy, Magic Magic, and can play both multi-dimensional reverb-pop as well as more toned-down melodic indie numbers. Happies may have been overlooked (in my opinion) at the time of its release, but if it hits the right ears, Kid Mountain could have a big year in store. - Allston Pudding

Providence is hit or miss for bands coming through. Then there’s the Pawtucket line where The Met resides. I always feel a bit sorry for bands that end up playing The Met with a smaller turnout; due to the size of The Met it makes any crowd look small, unless it’s sold out. Speaking with Ex Cops after they played, Brian and Sam were both happy to be in Providence for their first time, and their first show on the road as Ex Cops. Great guys who both remembered the name of the opening acts (Way Out & Kid Mountain), and killed their set.


Way Out are refreshing. To me, they sound like a blend of The Smiths and Joy Division with a dash of Surfer Blood thrown in. I really enjoyed watching them at a larger venue: their stage presence was tight and comfortable, and their songs lend themselves really well to larger venues with more expensive sound systems. I really wish when they teased the crowd with the opening bass-line to Joy Division’s “Transmission” that they kept it going.

Kid Mountain is by far my new favorite band in Providence, and it blows my mind to see these guys get on stage and perform on the level of Fleet Foxes or Local Natives, yet still they’re not relentlessly touring the country or getting much press. I expect them to follow the footsteps of Deer Tick and The Low Anthem and get themselves beyond Rhode Island. Their style is incredible, and I’m impressed by just how well it translates to a live performance. Their set was energetic, flowed perfectly and didn’t end up dragging by any means. You can hear their releases on the bandcamp. I highly suggest giving “Happies” a full run through. More than once.

It’s going to be exciting watching Ex Cops take off. Brian writes a killer tune and I’m sure the band will have a very busy year ahead of them riding the wave of True Hallucinations, which has garnered some pretty adoring reviews. - Bad Jams

SAVOIR ADORE
BUZZSESSIONS
LADY LAMB THE BEEKEEPER
HONEY I'M HOME
SNOWMINE
BUZZSESSIONS
VILLAGERS
BUZZSESSIONS
THE LUYAS
BUZZSESSIONS
DEAR GEORGIANA
OFFICIAL
SAVOIR ADORE
BUZZSESSIONS
LADY LAMB THE BEEKEEPER
HONEY I'M HOME
SNOWMINE
BUZZSESSIONS
VILLAGERS
BUZZSESSIONS
THE LUYAS
BUZZSESSIONS
DEAR GEORGIANA
OFFICIAL
SAVOIR ADORE
BUZZSESSIONS
LADY LAMB THE BEEKEEPER
HONEY I'M HOME
KID MOUNTAIN MAKES US ‘HAPPIES’ [STREAM]

CHARITY PAINTERMARCH 18, 2013






Kid Mountain makes the sort of music that attaches itself between youth and adulthood, in that phase where life is still bright and intoxicating yet forcing just a tad more sobriety with each passing day. Their debut full-length, Happies, is full of reverb and playful melodies, and there are definite Youth Lagoon-esque moments, but often Happies sounds like an experimental take on The Beach Boys. Rather than coming off as amateur or dismissible in their experimentation with effects, Kid Mountain’s sound is both fresh and endearing.

Kid Mountain make me wistful for summertime days long gone, and while there’s so much youthfulness here, there’s also an artful depth that tells me I’d better keep my eyes on these Boston boys. I’ll leave you now to spend some quality time with Kid Mountain and your nostalgia. - The Wild Honey Pie

SAVOIR ADORE
BUZZSESSIONS
LADY LAMB THE BEEKEEPER
HONEY I'M HOME
SNOWMINE
BUZZSESSIONS
VILLAGERS
BUZZSESSIONS
THE LUYAS
BUZZSESSIONS
DEAR GEORGIANA
OFFICIAL
SAVOIR ADORE
BUZZSESSIONS
LADY LAMB THE BEEKEEPER
HONEY I'M HOME
SNOWMINE
BUZZSESSIONS
VILLAGERS
BUZZSESSIONS
THE LUYAS
BUZZSESSIONS
DEAR GEORGIANA
OFFICIAL
SAVOIR ADORE
BUZZSESSIONS
LADY LAMB THE BEEKEEPER
HONEY I'M HOME
KID MOUNTAIN MAKES US ‘HAPPIES’ [STREAM]

CHARITY PAINTERMARCH 18, 2013






Kid Mountain makes the sort of music that attaches itself between youth and adulthood, in that phase where life is still bright and intoxicating yet forcing just a tad more sobriety with each passing day. Their debut full-length, Happies, is full of reverb and playful melodies, and there are definite Youth Lagoon-esque moments, but often Happies sounds like an experimental take on The Beach Boys. Rather than coming off as amateur or dismissible in their experimentation with effects, Kid Mountain’s sound is both fresh and endearing.

Kid Mountain make me wistful for summertime days long gone, and while there’s so much youthfulness here, there’s also an artful depth that tells me I’d better keep my eyes on these Boston boys. I’ll leave you now to spend some quality time with Kid Mountain and your nostalgia. - The Wild Honey Pie

Thanks to retro-minded hipsters, the idea of nostalgia is as relevant as ever — and for good reason. Everybody wants to be a kid again. Even if your childhood was less-than-magical, there’s probably a big part of you that wants to go back. Fewer responsibilities, more free time, more excuses, and honestly — more time to figure your life out. Being a kid was awesome. Don’t believe me? Go out to a bar any night of the week and you’ll see a bunch of people buying drinks in an attempt to recreate that awesome childlike carefree/stress-free feeling.

With that in mind, here’s the debut album Happies from Kid Mountain. As their bio says, “Kid Mountain wants you to dance. Kid Mountain dances. Kid Mountain wants you to sing along. Kid Mountain sings along. Kid Mountain wants to blow your mind. Kid Mountain blows its own mind.” The Boston group’s sparkling debut channels the lighthearted spirit of childhood, becoming the perfect soundtrack for stereotypical summer-y things like backyard BBQs. Without taking the easy route of directly copying the sounds of decades past, Kid Mountain has done an outstanding job of creating a nostalgic album that might bring you back to that ‘perfect summer’ from a decade ago.

“We’re a serious band,” they say. “We’re serious about not being too serious.” - FishyTunes

MOST LIKELY TO BLOW UP: Kid Mountain’s album has been on repeat for me the past couple of weeks.

Their sing-along-able, jangly guitar-filled, warming tunes make me forget it’s still cold outside. With such a wondrous recorded album, you’re probably wondering whether they can deliver it live, right? Why, yes they can! The crowd always responds to their transcendent live presence by singing and dancing along. I see big things for this group. - Boston DIG

MOST LIKELY TO BLOW UP: Kid Mountain’s album has been on repeat for me the past couple of weeks.

Their sing-along-able, jangly guitar-filled, warming tunes make me forget it’s still cold outside. With such a wondrous recorded album, you’re probably wondering whether they can deliver it live, right? Why, yes they can! The crowd always responds to their transcendent live presence by singing and dancing along. I see big things for this group. - Boston DIG

Kid Mountain opened the first night proceedings and owned the room early with an impressive fanbase in tow (particularly since the order was picked at random just prior to showtime) with a genre-splicing mix of boondock country and indie-pop (my notes read "grandkids of the Violent Femmes sleep, eat, and record in a barn").

- Providence Pheonix

KID MOUNTAIN (kidmountain.bandcamp.com): Citing the Microphones, Modest Mouse, and Talking Heads as influences, this quartet strikes with a stripped-down approach reinforced with some nice harmonies. The seven songs comprising their third and latest EP, Visitor's Center (all three are available for free download on their site), sound a bit more polished than their appropriately titled 2011 debut, Demonstrations. Visitor's Center caught my ear right from the acoustic instrumental intro "Cross Country." Lead singer Cole Wuilleumier corrals his inner Isaac Brock on "Upskirt" and current single "The Drift." Radio-Friendly Acoustic Shoegaze-Pop? Sure, why not.

- Providence Pheonix