They’re not going to get as much headlines as Taylor or Beyonce, but Rainbow Kitten Surprise dropped the best album of the year last spring. Love Hate Music Box has all the trademark genre-bending earworms the North Carolina natives are known for, but they elevated their game. There’s not a weak link on the album, which was produced by lead singer Eli Melo, Daniel Tashian (Kacey Musgraves) and Konrad Snyder (Noah Kahn), from slammin’ anthem “Superstar” to danceable punch-me-in-the-face great track “Bearwalk” to melt your brain heartbreaker“Code Blue.” I’m barely scratching the surface BTW. Anyway, the band is kicking off the next of its tour in Indianapolis on Sept. 9, and frankly, lead guitarist Ethan Goodpaster, like fans of the band, can’t wait. (Speaking of fans — this fan will be catching them at the Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in Bridgeport on Sept. 18.) I caught up with Goodpaster recently and asked him all about the album, the tour, his evolving skills, and what it’s like to be a part of a band that’s known each for so long, and stayed together for, well, so long.
Before we start— a quick heads up: RKS has partnered with Plus1 so that $1 per ticket goes towards local organizations delivering mental health treatment, access to care, and support for the LGBTQ+ community. OK, now on with the interview.
You guys put out the best album of the year if anyone asks me. Talk to me about the journey since it’s been way too long since you released a record…
It’s been a while… We probably recorded over 100 songs and ideas before we got this set of songs. And, it was a journey. We had a lot of different styles. It was almost six years since our previous record. There were a lot of different writing and recording techniques that we did before we landed on [the songs]. We learned a lot and it was really cool.
It’s a bit different but the same if that makes sense…Was that a conscious decision?
It happened organically. Over the course of the last five years. we all changed…how we play music has changed. Our taste has changed. It factored in to end product a lot.
Has it been cool to play these songs live? I know you’ve lived with them for a bit but we haven’t…
Performing them has been a blast. [The songs] are pretty different than the rest of our catalog. It’s been fun figuring out how to do them live.
Have any songs resonated that you didn’t quite think would?
We had no idea Freefall would be a viral song. It’s kind of like Foster the People with Pump Up Kicks. Bearwalk on the last [leg] with the dueling guitar solo stands out. It’s a special little moment and a lot of fun. The next leg we’re bringing out ten songs from the old catalog and new album we haven’t played in awhile.
As a musician do you constantly switch up your own style? I know this album is initially a detour in a lot of ways. Do you push the envelop for yourself?
Absolutely. I think as a fan of any artist, you can be surprised or upset when they switch up a style. But if you’re creating the same thing over and over, it can be extremely boring. So, we mix things up each thing it’s a challenge.
How have you guys evolved as a band, and well, as people over the years. It’s got to be hard to coexist as a band.
There are challenges to run a business with your best friends. It’s a fun ride. We hang out a lot. We’ve had our challenges… Covid and not touring for two years but you take the ride for what it is and you come out the other side.
Speaking of touring, do you have a playlist you listen to when you’re on the road?
I personally don’t listen to a lot since [I’m around] music so much. But, I’m stuck on my old playlists. I listen to the same music over and over… a lot of ‘70s music. I’m an Eagles and Steely Dan guy. Classic Rock.
Music is therapy though, right? Is touring or making music therapeutic for you? Both?
They both are in their own way. [Making music] — you’ve got all these ideas inside you and it’s a very cool feeling. My most favorite thing is playing the songs and getting to see the joy. I think we are really giving people a place to not think about crappy stuff at the end of the day.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
I grew up in rural North Carolina. I listened to blue grass as a kid, but the first ever touring act I saw was Bullet for My Valentine.
Lastly, Oasis is back. Thoughts?
Hopefully, we’ll get some US tour dates.
Is there an act alive or dead you think your band would fit well playing with?
Personally, I think our band would really vibe with Kings of Leon.
If people came with catchphrases what would yours be?
I would probably say, “five more minutes, please?”
What about your band?
The band would probably be “send it out… let’s get it, let’s go.” We’re always pushing.
