Kittenhead is a four-piece female Rock group based in California. To call this eclectic electric quartet a gay band is to miss the point. For the LGBTQ community is but one sector of our society for whom they vigorously advocate with their Music and support. Acceptance, respect and dignity for all who intend no harm to anyone is what matters to these ladies.
But rather than personally proselytize, far better to allow Kittenhead lead singer Kivi to tell us what matters to this no-shit vocalist and her musician mates.
When did you know you were in love with Rock Music?
I am in love with music, always have been. I fell in love with rock music because it touches people on a visceral level. The growl of a guitar is feral. It reaches that primal part of the brain that releases dopamine. It makes you want to move, shake and dance. I don't know what the first rock song I heard was but the one I remember is "Hound Dog" by Big Mama Thornton.Put it on!That voice!It reaches out and grabs you!Seeing someone like (David) Bowie use music to morph, change and communicate different ideas. Or Prince, who just emoted creativity on stage. It was like the notes were escaping from his soul.My relationship with rock 'n roll has been long-term and there are so many elements and artists that have gone into the expansion over time. It is a living, evolving relationship.
Share with us about your career journey as a professional rocker.
I am told I sang before I spoke as a baby so, clearly, music is part of me. There is music in my head all the time. I have sung everything from choral music to jazz to rock. AND I like it all. I have played in other bands but Kittenhead is very special. It is hard to describe the connection we have, but it is special.
| Lead Singer Kivi & Kittenhead in concert |
Kittenhead's music may be described as a thinker's melodic punk. Does this resonate?
Yes, that really does resonate with me. I believe Kittenhead stretches the definition of punk. We have some glam elements, metal influences, pop references and we mash it all together in our music. We aren't afraid to try new machinations to create our sound. We like to challenge that punk box -- and isn't that just the definition of punk? Not conforming?
It'd be interesting to know if some pioneering all-female rock groups had an impact on you. Inspired you. I'm talking here about 1960s and 70s bands like Goldie and the Gingerbreads, Fanny and The Runaways.
I have very diverse influences musically. I was raised around a lot of jazz, classical, and early to mid-70s rock. It is really all about what your family is listening to, right? So for me Sarah Vaughn, Big Mama Thornton, Nate King Cole, Tina Turner, Joan Jett, Helen Reddy, The Sonics and Heart. The last two were really big in the Pacific Northwest, which is where I grew up. I keep pushing for Kittenhead to do a Sonics cover like "The Witch", but we have so much of our own music it is hard to slide covers into our set.
Kittenhead clearly prides themselves on representing the LGBTQ community in their art and performances. Is it important to you personally that audiences look at your band not only as exceptional gay musicians, but moreover as a flat-out kick ass rock group?
Kittenhead represents ourselves first as musicians. However, we are also very political and part of that is supporting human rights and diversity. Basically, Kittenhead's ethos is "Love more, judge less." What someone else does in their life really doesn't concern another person as long as people are living in consent.Plus Kittenhead is pretty damn badass so that is always a given when people see us.
What are your goals now, Kivi, both individually and with your bandmates?
Coming out of Covid, Kittenhead needs to rehearse and record all the music we have written over the year. So goals:1. Global domination2. Record new material3. More music videos4. Play LIVE!!!5 See #1.
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