EPK – Kilmore – From the Inside (2023)
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“‘From the Inside’ has exposed a maturity in our sound from our last album and EP. Working with producer, Jon Landry, helped us craft the best version of the songs. It was written during a time when we all felt uncertain about our futures not just in music but in life. It has themes of rebirth, admiration, confusion, frustration, and hate. The songs all have a mixture of emotions, but the EP will carry you through journeys of escapism. This EP, in our opinion, is our best work to date and we are thrilled to release it to the world.” – Heather Harris – Vocal/Guitar – Kilmore
For fans of Soundgarden, Tool, PJ Harvey, The Pretenders, Windhand, Alice in Chains
EP Title: From the Inside
Release Date: March 31, 2023
Label: Independent
Distribution: CD Baby
Kilmore.ca | Facebook.com/kilmoreband | Instagram.com/kilmoremusic | YouTube | Tiktok.com/@kilmoremusic
Spotify | Kilmore.bandcamp.com
“While Halifax band Kilmore’s latest album isn’t technically out until March’s end, we couldn’t sleep on having it in this list: A follow-up to the band’s ECMA Loud Recording of the Year-winning album Call The Void, the upcoming From The Inside is stoner groove music with a heavy hit of metal mixed in. The lead single “Firestone” is all the proof you need that this one’s gonna slap.” – The Coast Halifax
Earshot Top 200 – Kilmore – Call The Void – #118 – July 2018 (Earshot)
“INFECTIOUS MELODIES WITH VOCALS TONED TO PERFECTION, INCREDIBLE MUSICIANSHIP WITH HIGH PRODUCTION VALUE, CATCHY HOOKS, METALLIC EDGE, AND INSATIABLE GROOVE.” – THE RIPPLE EFFECT
“Call of the Void, the riffs are relentless as the band channels gloom through minor chords…The spirit of darkness breathes through the lyrics as Kilmore reminds us rock is alive and well.” – The Coast
“the heavy and bluesy sounds really drive home those themes of reckless behaviour and dark feelings… The band effectively portray their intended emotions and messages to the listener through their music while providing them with something to bang their head—or groove—to.” – The East Magazine
“The opening title cut begins City Lights with brawny, distorted guitar licks, steadily pounding drums and wailing vocals akin to classic rock radio. This sets the tone for the four-piece’s muscular sound, as tracks like “Rising Sun” and “Weight of the World” are similarly stuffed with meaty riffage, while “Peace of Mind” is slightly more restrained and slow-burning. The curveball is “Younger Years,” which ventures into a folk rock direction with its acoustic strums.” – Exclaim!
#8 on This Week’s Top 11 Playlist: 08 April 2016 – A Journal of Musical Things – Alan Cross (Kilmore, City Lights, City Lights EP)
[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]
EP Title: From the Inside
Release Date: March 31, 2023
Label: Independent
Distribution: CD Baby
Track Listing:
1. Tempest (3:43)
2. Omitted (4:29)
3. The Destroyer (3:04)
4. Firestone (3:59)
5. Underneath (4:13)
6. Rapture (4:22)
EP Length: 23:50
EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Kilmore
• All songs written by: Kilmore
• Lyrics by: Heather Harris
• Produced by: Jon Landry
• Mixed by: Darren van Niekerk at Iron Tulip Audio
• Mastered by: Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel Mastering
• EP Artwork by: Stephen MacDonald (Task at Hand Illustration & Design)
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
EP and Live Band Lineup:
Heather Harris – Vocals and Guitar
Dan Doran – Guitars
Neil Spence – Bass Guitar
Jon MacIsaac – Drums
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EP as a whole:
The EP is a form of groovy, stoner rock with metal elements. Lyrically it was written at a time when there was a real struggle around the world and an internal bittersweet struggle. Becoming a new mother and trying to find your place in a new reality really speaks loudly in the emotions on the album. Some themes are of destruction while others of hope, each song has its own theme/feel. Working with producer Jon Landry was a pleasantly different experience in recording this album. We recorded it in our basement studio and took the time needed to craft the songs and tried to bring life to the recordings. Musically some songs came out easier than others, and some needed more time to capture the essence we were looking for.
Track by Track:
1. Tempest
Tempest is about someone coming into your life like a hurricane. The song speaks about a mighty force finding its place in your life. Tempest was one of the hardest songs we wrote for this album, it took a while to get the groove, but when we did the lyrics came through easily. Dan’s main guitar riff really drives the song along and gives the vocals a good pocket to fall into. We felt it was the best song to introduce the EP with its groovy progressive feeling.
2. Omitted
Omitted is about forgotten heroes and the internal struggles they face. Today we tend to forget about real heroes and idolize fame and fortune over everyday people who work their whole lives to help. This song was written with them in mind and turned out to be a unique, lower-key song on the EP. Neil (bass) shows a lot of elements to his bass playing in this song and Jon (drummer) really locks into the song, which brings out the best qualities of the guitar and vocals.
3. The Destroyer
The creation of something evil can take a lifetime to develop. People destroying things for personal gain is not a rarity in this world. This song is about feeling an emptiness in someone and seeing them destroy everything in their path. Jon Landry (producer) helped steer us in a different direction with this song bringing out the intensity of the chorus.
4. Firestone
Firestone is about feeling broken and alone and looking for the light through the darkness. This was an old song we rehashed when Jon (drummer) joined the band. The song locked in the right direction lyrically with the new groove and we felt like we had created a fierce and intense song. The video was filmed after a snowstorm and showcased a magnificent Canadian winter.
5. Underneath
Underneath is about feeling isolated and heavy-hearted. These feelings touched a lot of people over the past 3 years as the pandemic brought more isolation to everyone. The guitars were tuned down in this song to give it a sludgy sound. We had a lot of fun exploring different tunings on this EP and how it can change the feel of a song.
6. Rapture
Rapture is a bit crazy and unhinged. We wanted this song to come off as the ramblings of someone insane with some wacky elements. Recording the vocals for this song was fun as I could be erratic with the lyrics and vocals. Jon (producer) really encouraged us to think outside the box with this one. During the breakdown, at the end of the song, we really got creative on the sounds and brought in elements from other songs on the EP to fill the insanity at the end.
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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:
1. Kilmore’s Dan Doran and Heather Harris are brother and sister born in Newry, Northern Ireland but located in Canada at a young age. They moved from Vancouver to Halifax at the age of 11-13 making Halifax their home.
2. Kilmore’s concepts are molded around their life experiences and tend to lean more toward the darker feelings of life.
3. With many bands, there are stories about the road. Some are forgotten but many are solidified in our memories that are hard to forget. The members of Kilmore are no exception to tour stories, with countless nights sleeping on couches and hours on the road there is much reflection to be had. I would say the funniest time we had were stay at the old Plan B Lounge in Moncton, NB, they always had a good vibe, a bed to sleep in, and good people to talk to and rock out with. Those were late nights!
L-R: Kilmore’s Current Line Up | Neil Spence (Bass) | Heather Harris (Vocals/Guitar) | Jon MacIsaac (Drums) | Dan Doran (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Kayla Macaulay Photography
For Nova Scotia-based band Kilmore, music serves as a yearning for expression and escapism; a musical endeavor that sees them unearthing the realities of life through sounds and wanting to create something new. Their brand of music resides at the convergence of stoner and hard rock, featuring magnetically emotive passages contrasted against assaults of groove-forward aggression. themes surrounding rebirth, love, hate, frustration, understanding, and the search for truth permeate their darker-edged sonic palette, one that navigates the nether regions of the human psyche.
Kilmore was founded by Heather Harris (vocals, guitars) and Dan Doran (guitars), two siblings of Irish descent who moved to Canada when they were still young. They moved to Halifax in the 90s, growing up on a musical diet of grunge, an influence that still permeates their current sound today. The band formed in 2013, adding Neil Spence (bass) and Lor Sangster (drums) to the original lineup. Jon MacIsaac (drums) later replaced Lor, completing the current lineup.
Neil grew up in Nova Scotia, surrounded by music throughout his life. He has been playing music for 20+ years and has been a member since the beginning of Kilmore. Jon joined the band in 2019, another nova scotia native who grew up in a very musical family. He was brought up on influences largely consisting of artists like Bill Ward and Danny Carey and has conveyed a new impulse to the band.
The award-winning rock group has had its fair share of accolades. their debut ep, ‘city lights’ came out in 2015, propelling them into the limelight as they were nominated for a music nova scotia award, and an east coast music award (ECMA). Their sophomore full-length LP, ‘Call of the Void’ was nominated for 3 music nova scotia awards along with another ECMA, and they took home two ‘Loud Recording of the Year’ awards.
Today, Kilmore are setting the wheels in motion for their next release entitled ‘From the Inside’, the project is scheduled to release in March 2023.
Recording and Live Band Lineup:
Heather Harris – Vocal/Guitar
Dan Doran – Guitar
Neil Spence – Bass
Jon MacIsaac – Drums
Discography:
2015 – City Lights – EP
2018 – Call of the Void – LP
2022 – Tempest (single)
2023 – From the Inside – EP
Shared Stage with:
The Stanfields, The Motorleague, Mountain Dust, Alert the Medic, Carmen Townsend
Tours and Festivals:
2019 – East Coast Music Awards
2018 – Nova Scotia Music Week
2018 – Blacktop Ball Festival
2018 – New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee Festival
2018 – Mud City Meltdown Festival
2017 – Nova Scotia Music Week
2017 – East Coast Music Awards
2016 – Nova Scotia Music Week
2016 – Parlee Beach Music Festival
2016 – NXNE Festival
2016 – East Coast Music Awards
2014 – City Lights Tour
2014 – Nova Scotia Music Week
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