Born Losers Records are gearing up for the release of the new NIGHT SINS LP called “Violet Age” on June 10th and to celebrate this great sounding and progressively minded offering, we have teamed up to give you the duo’s top 10 inspirations that helped them shape their sound.
Night Sins (Kyle Kimball of NOTHING) is aural proof this side of the Atlantic that life does not walk so dark all over Europe alone.
Emerging sometime around 2010 under the oppressive skies of Philadelphia, these overcast malcontents are fitly connected to a city engrossed in shadow-soaked vices and dilapidated architecture.
Not to imply that there isn’t a comforting sort of gloominess in this musical malaise, as Night Sins frolic down the musical path originally cut by The Sisters of Mercy and Clan of Xymox with enough hints of The Mission and extensions into 80’s darkwave to produce memorable songwriting that stands on it’s own.
Bass and drums punch through the mist thick as thieves, guitar lines circle like falcons overhead, minimal synths street clean some of the residual dirt, and singer-songwriter Kyle Kimball’s vocals confidently press into the intimate fog.
There is a brilliant light in the midst of dimness, and Night Sins is carrying the torch.
TEN SONGS THAT INSPIRED “VIOLET AGE”
Expose – Point Of No Return
People think violet age derives from Depeche Mode and new order, and while some of that is there the synth line is freestyle through and through. Listen to expose if you haven’t!
My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult – Waiting For Mommie
A song like this reminds me you don’t have to be pigeonholed in any style or genre. Is it dance? Pop? Industrial?
Nitzer Ebb – Getting Closer
Maybe the hardest song there is
Killing Joke – Hosannas From The Basements Of Hell
Such utter intensity from jaz Coleman, it’s hard to ignore
The Comsat Angels – Sleep No More
This blown out chorus guitar soundscape is unparalleled
Yaz – Too Pieces
It’s hard to write from a place of despair and hope simultaneously the way Yaz does
Banarama- Rough Justice
Lyrically this one is so devastating juxtaposed with the catchy danceable music
Duran Duran – I Don’t Want Your Love
Late 80s duran about to transition to the 90s sound. Much harder and perfect for the club
The March Violets – Radiant Boys
The erratic Leeds sounds with blown out drum machine will always be a favorite
Ministry – Over The Shoulder
Twitch probably continues to influence me more than any other record. The transitional period that was still heavily synth before they really became the heavy juggernaut they would become
Press Highlights for NIGHT SINS:
it’s the perfect antidote to all that damn sunniness that’s ruining the sky these days. – PITCHFORK
a gloomy but propulsive cut that falls comfortably into the 80s post-punk kingdom carved out by Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division/New Order – BROOKLYN VEGAN
a strong EBM approach that recalls That Total Age-era Nitzer Ebb and Depeche Mode – REVOLVER MAG
Night Sins is the brainchild of Kyle Kimball, and current skinsman for Nothing. The project sees Kimball exploring grimy post-punk, taking notes from The Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division – VICE
If Depeche Mode circa Black Celebration through Violator were to be shaken in a chrome tumbler and poured over the icy dark synthwave sequences … you would get something along the same tangential path that Philadelphia based singer/songwriter Kyle Kimball has taken on Portrait in Silver, his fourth LP under the guise of Night Sins. – POST-PUNK.COM
