“Straight up rock ‘n’ roll” foursome Kind Hearted Strangers have been making big moves — literally and figuratively — in the two-plus years since the group last sat down with 303 Magazine. Last we heard, the band had just released their debut album, East//West, and were slowly but steadily creating a name for themselves in the local music scene with the support of their friends and fans. Today, they’re a national act who is currently on the road moving through the Northeast, a tour that now coincides with the release of their second album, Now.Here. With 2023 shaping up to be their biggest year of touring yet, this new album comes at an opportune time for the band to continue paving their own way in the music world.
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According to guitarist Marc Townes, Kind Hearted Strangers have spent the last couple of years evolving, becoming a full-time situation and prioritizing the immersive experience of their music. “We’re all about playing live and playing a lot,” Townes said of the band’s current position. “We’re having fun with it and it’s always making us a better band.”
With the current lineup of Townes, guitarist Kevin Hinder, bassist/vocalist Ace Engfer and drummer Eggy Gorman, KHS has transformed from a small-time band to a rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse worthy of a cross-country gigging schedule.
That evolution taking place onstage is happening offstage as well. “It’s even influencing our work in the studio, as we discover certain elements that are fun to explore in the live setting,” Townes said of this latest album. The album resulted from an immersive collaboration with visual artist Dylan Lynch, which took shape in a Richmond, Virginia warehouse space in a matter of days. With no prepared material, the band and artists set out to create and deliver a Live Concert & Art Exhibition in just one week.