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AOTW // The KVB

Posted on Monday 17th January 2022 at 16:00

Jimi Arundell

Written by
Jimi Arundell

Drawing comparisons with Kraftwerk, New Order and Stereolab; the considerable talent of just two people goes a long way as proved by coldwave duo The KVB. Nicholas Wood and Kat Day combine chilling electronica with powerful post punk and dazzling visuals to great effect, making them a vital live band.

Plus, they promote latest record Unity with a tour this month. Grab tickets for The KVB with Gigantic – HERE!

Originally the solo project of guitarist Nicholas Wood, The KVB first started in 2010 but truly began to take shape the following year when he was joined on synths and keys by Kat Day. Despite the electronica central to their sound, the pair first began sharing their music through limited edition releases of analogue tapes. Initially signed to techno label Downwards Records, they would release debut EP Into The Night before breaking into the European gig and festival circuit where they would secure a reputation for being an impressive live show – thanks in no small part to the visual displays as created by the band.

Their first full length album Always Then signalled not only their arrival, but the beginning of a furious creative period which soon saw them follow up with further records Immaterial Visions and Minus One.

They joined forces with the dark and sinister twisted mind of Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Anton Newcombe to record their Out Of Body EP in his Berlin in 2014 before releasing a further two albums Mirror Being and Of Desire.  

In 2021, Day and Wood dropped their latest LP Unity. Widely regarded as their best work yet; they employed the expertise of Andy Savours (Black Country New Road, My Bloody Valentine, The Horrors) to produce and mix an album recorded in Spain during the early months of 2019 which embraces a large sphere of sound.

It features the dispassionate, yet vital single “Unité” which explores the ideas of Swiss-French architect Le Corbousier brutalist work through both music and stunning visuals used as both promo video and as a live background which they feel represents “a homage to our time living in Berlin, with the pounding kick drum and grinding electronics”.

Also included is the shoegaze inspired track “Unbound” describing the temporal nature of beauty as inspired by the poetry of Keston Sutherland, plus colossal anthem “World On Fire” all combine into one essential record,

Plus, the pair also recently released The Early Tapes as an extremely limited 12” vinyl and digital release featuring ten tracks of demos plus selected songs from their early tape releases The Black Sun, Subjection/Subordination and The KVB.

Fresh from having impressed at Rockaway Beach where the were described by Under The Radar as a “highlight” of the festival; The KVB now kick off their own tour to start what will no doubt be another be year for the band. Book tickets for their awesome synth-rock shows with Gigantic!

 

 

📅 January 2022

21/01  The KVB – The Bodega, Nottingham

28/01  The KVB – O2 Academy2 Leicester, Leicester

30/01  The KVB – Thekla, Bristol

The KVB tickets are available with Gigantic.

 

 

 

 

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