The American roots and East Coast rock & roll band CAITLIN KRISKO + THE BROADCAST are the real deal, combining pulsating rock with Tamla Motown soulfulness and arena rock grandeur. With their multi-layered guitar riffs, impressive percussion, and Caitlin’s captivating voice, they never fail to astonish their listeners. Caitlin’s lyrical style and scorching vocals seem to pierce the skies of our everyday existence!
We have described her distinctive voice as “cheroot ‘n’ firewater…”
The band released their “Blueprints” EP during this summer, written in the wake of Krisko’s mother’s untimely death. The disc offers an observational perspective on the wave of emotions that follow loss.
We joined the band during the latter part of their 30+ date tour of Europe at the very special Tuesday Night Music Club held at the beautiful neo-Georgian building that was formerly the Coulsdon Comrades Club, South London.
Her vocal performance lit up the venue as if she were revealing a series of fiery truths that had been buried deep within her heart…
Raw Ramp
With grace and allure, a picture in green and sheen, Caitlin took the stage, captivating the audience with her song “Piece Of You.” Her vocal performance lit up the venue as if she were revealing a series of fiery truths that had been buried deep within her heart. With its layered guitar riff and exceptional percussion, this tune demonstrated an artstic potential that was both focused and encouraging. The song was a bountiful wellspring of possibility and consequence.
“Devil on Your Side” was choppy and funk-filled, with swampy lows and whistling highs. The dedicated crowd at Coulsdon, packed into their seats elbow-to-elbow, could only shimmy, nod, and clap along to the lively beats. This would have been a “up-and-dance” number at another venue, but the Tuesday night crowd are committed and attentive listeners!
The slow blues-ballad “Haunted By You” was evocative, impassioned, and loaded with affectionate devotion. Not just a memory of Caitlin’s mother, this was also a soul-stirring dedicatory to the folks back home, the band’s neighbours and friends on the East Coast, who’d been overwhelmed by Hurricane Helene.
At the time of writing this piece, Hurricane Helene is considered to be the most devastating storm since Katrina, 2005. The band were fortunate to be in Europe at the time, and so avoided the ravages. Though this meant they not only experienced anxiety for their loved ones back home but also a sense of ‘survivor’s disorder’.
The Broadcast’s gentle Aretha Franklin cover, with hints of Seventies soul, and with Caitlin’s Dad having flown-in from Detroit for the South London show to help support his daughter, served as a therapeutic reminder of the band’s diverse musical influences, including Motor City sounds, country rock, and blues-jam inspirations.
The vocals on “Operator” were sassy and adventurous, with bass lines and a touch of seasonal pumpkin spice guitar, resulting in a playful vibe. The entire piece delved into the enigmatic aspects of love, becoming a layer-cake of relatable feelings.
This Seventies-inspired show delivered flairs, stacks, bountiful Motown rhythms, super delicious guitar, and a smoky-coppery voice that beautifully captured the hurricane hurt and autumn’s natural melancholy. A performance worth treasuring.
File alongside: Beth Hart performing with Blackberry Smoke.
https://www.caitlinkriskoandthebroadcast.com/
Words: © Neil Mach
Photo credit: © Will Carter
RAW RAMP 