Concert Review: Kino Kimino Is “Candied Confidence” At Shea Stadium

Alright, I am going to do something rare here, and develop a term for an artist’s performance style; Kino Kimino is “candied confidence”. She reminds me of the sugary rush of confidence we all feel after a delicious piece of candy. Once that candy hits your bloodstream, you feel adrenaline and goodness to go out and let loose. The same goes for Kimino’s performance where she makes you feel blissfully forward in esteem and willingness to be musically present.

I am always saying this because it’s true: I love strength. I like walking into an artist’s performance and feeling like they own it. What is so great about Kino Kimino is that her dominance over the stage has an inherent sweetness to it. She comes off like the rare popular girl in high school: the one that was smart, artsy, and nice to everyone. Thus, when she picks up her guitar and begins to strum, you feel connected to her talent. You are happy that she is good because you feel that she is kind. Moreover, through her relationship with the stage, call it body language, you can tell Kimino is a creative spirit. She has an aura of that makes her seem like, she was born in an elite circle of Brooklyn intellectuals. There is a breezy smartness to her songs and presence. Yet, that does not diminish her edge. If anything, it empowers it.

Kino Kimino is an intriguing stage presence because for however “candy-ish” and colorful she is in personality, you feel like she can kick butt. When she shrieks, tussles her guitar, or sultrily walks to the mic to kiss it with vocal smokiness, there is an empowerment to her. She is like an eccentric dreamer daring you to join her in her  “punkish” ways. On one hand, she is as fabulously glamorous indie rock queen, whom does not care what you think or feel about her.  While on the other, she feels like a quiet artist focused on painting listeners’ spirits through her detailed, musical brush. The dichotomy of her spirit is fascinating as she skips and strides across the stage to music that is similar to the recently reviewed band Dentist:  hypnotic, beach vibes meet the quick-paced angst of punk rock.

Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover (feat. Sonic Youth’s 

I have to admit, adding surfy waves to punk rock can throw someone off at first listen. Yet, the musical contrast of calm and tension is what is so hypnotic of Kino Kimino and her performance. You feel torn between dancing or relaxing upon the songs’ rhythms and kicking or thinking upon their lyrics. If I invented the words “candied confidence” for her performance presence then I will call her music sweetened volatility.  Live, these blissfully clashing sound are endearing, because, of course, you are surrounded by fans whom too are absorbing the eccentric goodness of Kino Kimino.

You can get Kino Kimino’s newest album Bait Is For Sissies and Find Out More about Kino Kimino HERE. She played Shea Stadium in Brooklyn on July 3.