Photo by Wolf James & Duncan Rice
Ambition is certainly not a bad thing, although many good bands sometimes seem to be afraid of their own abilities. Well, you can easily mistake this self-confidence with arrogance. You can get away with it by playing good music, of course. Does this cryptic introduction implies that British independent rock newcomers TO KILL A KING are arrgogant? No, they are not. Are they ambitious? Well, yes – but in the nicest possible way with wonderful songs that clearly aim for a bigger audience.
Most of these melancholic and honest tunes can be found on the band’s debut album Cannibals With Cutlery which was released earlier in 2013. It became NOTHING BUT HOPE AND PASSION‘s album of the week back than. No wonder since heart-wrenching moments like Cold Skin or Funeral shouldn’t be afraid of big genre players like THE NATIONAL or MUMFORD AND SONS. It’s exactly that musical direction that fits best when you need to classify TO KILL A KING. The wonderful melodies and honest lyrics of mastermind Ralph Pelleymounter are ones we might soon hear more often. Just the right time to sit back and enjoy a selection of songs by the group in form of an exclusive NBHAP Guestmix.
TO KILL A KING are currently on the run, touring their home country with the songs from their debut. And we wouldn’t be surprised if some of their compiled tunes are played while chilling in the tourbus or preparing for one of their shows. Old and new favourites from pop to songwriter-folk. And you are invited to enjoy them with the band and us. Stream it right here.
01. JOHN GRANT – Queen of Denmark
02. DIRTY PROJECTORS – Two Doves
03. JOHNNY MARR – Upstarts
04. LOU REED – Vicious
05. THE DON ELLIS ORCHESTRA – Turkish Bath
06. JOHNNY CASH – Personal Jesus
07. BAT FOR LASHES – All your Gold
08. KINDNESS – Swinging Party
09. SAVAGES – Husbands
10. FOALS – Late Night
11. FINLEY QUAYE – Even after all
12. FLUME – Sintra
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