Rod Kim

“I was named after a stripper,” replies the quirky pop-rocker Rod Kim, “And I was born in a city called Kokomo and raised by a very religious Korean father and a Korean mother that learned her English in Ebonics.” This is the norm for Rod Kim: a series of humorous twists seemingly plucked from the screenplay of a dark indie comedy. His art reflects this unconventionally “normal” life. Rod went from growing up in a small town to going on to produce hundreds of indie records spanning genres ...

“I was named after a stripper,” replies the quirky pop-rocker Rod Kim, “And I was born in a city called Kokomo and raised by a very religious Korean father and a Korean mother that learned her English in Ebonics.” This is the norm for Rod Kim: a series of humorous twists seemingly plucked from the screenplay of a dark indie comedy. His art reflects this unconventionally “normal” life. Rod went from growing up in a small town to going on to produce hundreds of indie records spanning genres of rock, hip-hop, blues and more. Thousands of studio hours later, Rod was encouraged to tour and record the songs that he had been writing over the years. After an unprecedented live performance at the historic LaDue Auditorium near St. Louis (which was bootlegged and quickly released as “Live From LaDue Auditorium”), preparations began for the first studio project. “Live From LaDue Auditorium” showcased Rod’s earnest songwriting and heartbreaking delivery, but he wanted to spend more time in the cathartic moments with his debut studio project. Every buzz, crackle, hum, melody, vocal arrangement and harmony was carefully orchestrated to deliver the moment that inspired the tune. Exactly three years to the date of the live performance, the new studio album, “A Fortunate Consequence,” released on March 11, 2008 to positive critical acclaim. Digital and CD sales spanned world-wide from the UK , Asia the US and more. Following a brief “listening party” tour that spanned from the Midwest to the East Coast, Rod toured the Midwest, East Coast and the UK in venues ranging from capacities of 80 to 800 as a core member of “The Commuter Tour,” a consortium of touring indie musicians. Most recently, Rod was selected from a national screening to perform and compete in “Beta Hi-Fi: New Songs 4 The New Year” sponsored by World Café Live, WXPN and Songwriter’s Circle of New York and was voted the winner of week two. Coverage of this event was reported by media such as NBC Philadelphia all the way to “The Greentown Grapevine,” Rod’s hometown newspaper and radio along his touring routes. Though most of “Live From LaDue Auditorium” and “A Fortunate Consequence” seem to focus on the more melancholy moments, Rod is writing and performing more upbeat material with every new gig. With all of the new experiences on the road, how could he help it? (Written By Ben Ereht)