Black Kids - History

History

Black Kids formed in Jacksonville in 2006. The lineup consists of siblings Reggie Youngblood (lead vocals and guitar) and Ali Youngblood (keyboards and backing vocals), Owen Holmes (bass guitar), Kevin Snow (drums), and Dawn Watley (keyboards and backing vocals). Although they initially performed only in Jacksonville, they received national attention after a breakout performance at the Athens Popfest in Athens, Georgia on August 11, 2007, which led to a sudden flurry of coverage in the music press, including NME, Vice, The Guardian, and The Village Voice. The same month, Black Kids' demo EP, Wizard of Ahhhs, was released via free download on their MySpace page. Soon after, Black Kids began working with Quest Management, the company that manages Björk and Arcade Fire. In October, the EP received a favorable review of 8.4 out of 10 from Pitchfork Media, including a "Best New Music" commendation.

Black Kids participated in the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City in October, earning the band exposure in The New York Times and USA Today. In December the band traveled to London for a brief tour. Rolling Stone called them one of ten "Artists to Watch" for 2008 and the band was also included in the BBC Sound of 2008 poll.

Black Kids toured the United Kingdom in early 2008, including the Vice Live Tour with Friendly Fires and Ipso Facto, a Sons and Daughters tour, and a Kate Nash tour. In April and May, Black Kids toured the United States as an opening act for Cut Copy. The band played the summer festival circuit in the U.S. and the UK, including the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April, Radio 1's Big Weekend in May, Glastonbury Festival in June, and T in the Park and Camp Bestival in July. Black Kids then headlined an international tour in the U.S. and Europe from June to November.

While in the UK in early 2008 the band recorded their debut album, Partie Traumatic, with producer Bernard Butler, former guitarist of Suede. Their first single, "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You", was released in the UK on April 7 and debuted at #11 on the UK Singles Chart. "Hurricane Jane", the follow-up single, was released in the UK on June 23, where it charted at #36. The album Partie Traumatic was released on July 7 in the UK on Almost Gold Recordings, debuting at #5, and was released two weeks later in the US on Columbia Records, debuting at #127.

In 2009 Black Kids performed at the Big Day Out festivals in New Zealand and Australia. They have also toured with Kaiser Chiefs in the U.K. and Mates of State in the U.S. Their song "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You," was used in a trailer for the movie "Fame", and is featured on the soundtrack of the 2009 film Jennifer's Body. "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance with You" was also offered as an iTunes Free Download in July 2008. It is also featured in FIFA 09, and was performed on Glee on May 10, 2011. Hurricane Jane was also on the playlist of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010.

They are currently writing songs for their second album. The band played new songs on their Mini-Tour along Florida as seen on their setlist. The new songs are possible related or at least contain the words 'Trippin', 'Smokes', 'Castles', 'Rude Boys' and 'Weird Hearts'. On a session for XPN2, Owen Holmes, their bassist, acting out as Gospel Music, his solo project, told that the band is still having fun together as friends and enjoying their spare time a little bit, but still, they are writing songs for their sophomore album. In April, their drummer, Kevin Snow, tweeted that the "A second album is in the works, hoping we'll be finished soon."