K Michelle DuBois – Photo courtesy of K Michelle DuBois
Atlanta-based indie pop artist K Michelle DuBois presents an upbeat and fun summer single ‘Waves Break’. This is the first taste of her forthcoming album, which will be released later this year.
“We fully went for a surfy new-wave vibe with layers of percussion. Waves Break began with a fascination with fearlessness in people (especially females) who love surfing, skateboarding or any sport where they get beat up and dive right back in,” says K Michelle Dubois.
“The lyrics evolved to be metaphorical as well as staying on topic while blending in double-meaning word play – ‘I keep you close to my chest’ and ‘you know where the sharks prey’. The instrumentation of Waves Break has an early Duran Duran, Bowie, Gang of Four vibe.”
This new single follows up her third solo release Harness, as well as the singles ‘Wild Weed’, ‘Orchid’ and ‘Love and Only Love’. DuBois also recently collaborated with Wales-based post-punk dreampop artist Lights That Change on the single ‘Untold’.
While most of DuBois’ solo output intertwines classic power-pop with 90s college rock, ‘Harness’ boasts a heftier sonic tone than her previous album ‘Astral Heart’ (2016) with its bouncy rhythms, jangly guitars and sing-song charm.
Based in Atlanta, GA, Dubois’ counts Blondie’s ‘Autoamerican’ and Divinyls among her influences, along with Stevie Nicks, Roxy Music, Flaming Lips, Grandaddy, and Fever Ray. DuBois’s live band includes Chandler Rentz (drums), Jim Prible (bass), André Griffin (keys) and Dan Dixon (guitar), who also recorded, produced and mastered this album at RCDC studio in Atlanta.
K Michelle DuBois got into music very young, building harmonies to pass the time during the family’s frequent road trips. DuBois began writing her own material as a teenager in Nashville after receiving a bass guitar for Christmas. She crafted her early songs on bass, a Yamaha synthesizer and a drum machine in her parents’ four-track studio, but a flood of creative possibilities came upon discovering open-tuning on acoustic guitar, thereafter solidifying her commitment to songwriting.
After forming her first band Ultrababyfat and releasing ‘Silver Tones Smile’ (1998), the group’s infectious pop-punk sound garnered national attention, leading to opening slots for numerous noteworthy acts Pavement and PJ Harvey, and a 2001 stint on The Warped Tour as one of the few female-led bands showcased in the festival’s lineup.
After the band disbanded in 2005, DuBois formed Luigi to explore her more progressive, art-rock leanings. After seven years together and ample critical acclaim, she re-emerged as a solo artist under the tempered guidance of producer Ben Price at Studilaroche, releasing her debut album ‘Lux Capone’ in 2012. DuBois also contributes vocals for Atlanta-based dream-gaze collective Parsons Rocket Project.
As of June 28 ‘Waves Break’ was available at online stores, such as iTunes, and streaming platforms such Spotify. Her 2018 ‘Harness’ album can also be obtained directly from the artist via Bandcamp, and her ‘Untold’ collaboration can be found via Lights That Change’s Bandcamp.
CREDITS
Recorded at RCDC in Peoplestown, Atlanta, GA.USA
Guitars, Production – Dan Dixon
Vocals, Keys, Co-production – KMD
Drums, Percussion – Chandler Rentz
