"Three-minute, hook-driven British guitar pop tinted by hues of American indie rock: Handcrafted. Angular. Cinematic."
Much can be revealed by the name of a band. Often, it conjures ideas about the band's inspirations and influences. "The Dirty Blue." A comment on our smog filled skies? The name of some seedy downtown strip joint? A nod to Lake Michigan? After all, these guys do hail from the windy city.
The band's very name suggests the tarnished nature of things that on the surface seem s...
"Three-minute, hook-driven British guitar pop tinted by hues of American indie rock: Handcrafted. Angular. Cinematic."
Much can be revealed by the name of a band. Often, it conjures ideas about the band's inspirations and influences. "The Dirty Blue." A comment on our smog filled skies? The name of some seedy downtown strip joint? A nod to Lake Michigan? After all, these guys do hail from the windy city.
The band's very name suggests the tarnished nature of things that on the surface seem so beautiful. Not to say these are a bunch of self-indulgent teenage angst-junkies, they just carry the slightly bitter taste of reality's imperfections in their mouths. Rather than bearing it like a ball and chain, they cleverly comment through the use of ironic humor as well as honest meaning. While The Dirty Blue's songs are well within the reach of their audience, this accessibility should not belie the weight of the music.
Built around the considerable talents of the instrumentally gifted Kuhl brothers (sounds like "cool") and Ukrainian maestro Dima, The Dirty Blue is a sprawling band in both production and concept. A storied musical past provides the foundation for a remarkably polished outcome. The Kuhls have been writing and performing music since their early teens, even appearing many times on local TV and radio shows. Now, utilizing a rotating arsenal of instruments, the trio offers a sound that simultaneously references classic Pop/Rock simplicity and intricate Prog Rock complexity, creating a fascinating contemporary hybrid in process.
The results are captured on their latest self-titled, self-produced offering. The album is a collection of crowd favorites, showcasing The Dirty Blue's relentless dedication to the traditions and aesthetics of the golden age of rock and serving as a retrospective of the band's career highlights.
Recommended tracks: Idle Hands, So, So Sad, Sometimes. Stream the entire album for free at http://album.thedirtyblue.com
Playing scores of concerts since 2003, from their native Chicago to the southern states, The Dirty Blue have never felt a part of any particular scene or movement. Instead they formed a tight bond as a band, favoring their mutual appreciation for the classic pop and rock of earlier generations over any flavor-of-the-month trend or fashion. Although The Dirty Blue is a Chicago-based band, it's been said that "they may as well not be from around here."
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