History
Kay Kay got its start when Gatsbys American Dream went on hiatus, shortly after the release of their 2006 self-titled album. Huffman and O'Quin had been writing songs together while on tour and brought in Huffman's friend Phil Peterson to round out the group.
The band first released a handful of tracks for streaming on Purevolume and MySpace. These songs later appeared on a cassette single released by ECA Records in 2006.
A copy of the band's cassette found its way to John Sidel of V2 Records. The band signed an initial agreement to record a full-length album, but V2 was bought out by Universal Music shortly thereafter and a finalized contract never materialized.
In early 2007, the band released Live at the Pretty Parlor, a two-disc set featuring a live DVD and accompanying CD. The DVD was filmed at an independent clothing store in Seattle in late 2006 and released on the band's own label, Bombs Over Bellevue.
In mid-2007, they played their first out-of-state shows in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon. On June 13, 2007, the band made their national television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly. According to Huffman, the band's DVD found its way into the hands of Carson Daly who then pushed to have the band on the show. The band performed "Hey Momma", reducing the song's length due to time constraints.
On February 19, 2008, the band released their debut self-titled album on vinyl through Vinyl Collective, a subsidiary of Suburban Home Records. The album is a double LP (with a digital download code included) and pressed in three variations, totaling 1,000 copies: rainbow transparent vinyl (200), rainbow milk vinyl (300), and orange with red speckles (500). The album was also made available digitally through several retailers, including Amazon MP3 and eMusic. To celebrate the album's release, the band played a sold-out show at The Triple Door in Seattle, where Huffman declared "I thought we’d be playing for ten people. This is the greatest night of my life." The band was also featured in Seattle weekly newspaper The Stranger for the album release.
In August 2008, the band embarked on their first west-coast tour in support of Rx Bandits and Portugal. The Man, with dates running from August 12 to September 1.
On July 17, 2008, the band posted a Myspace blog stating that they were already half way through recording their second full-length titled Introducing Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground. This blog was accompanied by a new song, titled "Diggin'".
On August 10, 2009, the band announced they had finished the recording of Introducing Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground. The album was streamed in its entirety on the band's Myspace page starting August 14. The album does not currently have a release date, though the band stated in a Myspace blog post that they are "still developing the release schedule."
Members
According the band's Myspace page, the official members are:
* Kirk Huffman - lead vocals, guitar, percussion
* Kyle O'Quin - keys
* Phil Peterson - cello, backing vocals
Additional musicians
The following is an incomplete list of musicians who are not officially a part of the band, but accompanied the band on their album and for live performances.
* Thomas Hunter - guitar
* Racheal Huffman - backing vocals, percussion
* Nate Mooter - bass
* J. J. Jang - violin
* Victoria (Tori) Parker - violin, backing vocals
* Robert (Bobby) Parker - trumpet, flugelhorn, backing vocals
* Joey Seward - tuba
* Andy Lum - drums
* Garrett Lunceford - drums
* Devin Ensz - Tuba
Birds
Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
how come i don't awake to the sun no more
when pixelated jackles say "when it rains, it pours?"
my stubborn curiosity will lead me right off course
and i guess its why marky ran away
to a sunnier LA
he found his brain in an apartment in Chinatown
oh, so nervous and its a baby girl
thats why ive created this world
where you can come and find me when (come find me when)
you're just so bored of the shameless pay
from working the department
i know you're tired
but im complacent
lets pace around in our apartment
cause oh
when i rest my head i feel the fear of falling
and in my own town i trip to a far off land
thats the way
so forgive me for my lack of words
announcing adjectives are slowly pulling down my spine
and it seems each of them can't find a way to make any sense of it
just like me
and repeatedly the paper man says that its all wrong
and all i got are sedatives in these damn songs
but i grew up on them superstitions
probable cause for my lack of ambition at all
when i rest my head i feel the fear of falling
and in my own town i trip to a far off land
cause thats the way that it works on a day like today
gotta get out
gotta get out today
The lyrics of "Birds" by Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground explore themes of restlessness, disillusionment, and a desire for escape. The opening lines express a sense of dissatisfaction with the everyday routine, as the singer notes that they no longer wake up to the sun and instead are confronted with pixelated jackals who seem to embody the idea that when it rains, it pours. The singer's curiosity is described as stubborn, something that often leads them off course, and this may be why their friend Marky has chosen to leave for sunnier Los Angeles, where he has found a new sense of clarity and purpose.
The chorus of the song offers a fantasy world where the singer can escape their mundane existence, a place where they can be found when someone is "just so bored of the shameless pay from working the department." The singer acknowledges their own complacency, noting that they are content to pace around their apartment rather than taking action to change their circumstances. The fear of falling and the idea of tripping to a far-off land is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that the singer feels disconnected from their current reality and is yearning for something more.
Line by Line Meaning
and oh
Starting the song with a sigh, feeling something is not right.
how come i don't awake to the sun no more
Feeling like something is wrong, not waking up to the sun anymore. Perhaps lacking motivation or purpose.
when pixelated jackles say "when it rains, it pours?"
Feeling like nothing is going right, and people are gloomily stating 'when it rains, it pours'.
my stubborn curiosity will lead me right off course
Even though it may lead me off track, I will stay curious and adventurous.
and i guess its why marky ran away
Wondering why someone left and went to a better place, seeking answers.
to a sunnier LA
Marky went to a better place, perhaps seeking more opportunities or a change of pace.
he found his brain in an apartment in Chinatown
Marky potentially found his true self, inner peace, or passion in a small, unexpected place.
so come on we can get
Encouraging someone to join me on an adventure, possibly to seek answers or escape reality.
oh, so nervous and its a baby girl
Feeling nervous and anxious about something new, a baby girl or possibly a new opportunity or challenge.
thats why ive created this world
Creating a new world or mental escape to cope with nervousness, anxiety, or boredom.
where you can come and find me when (come find me when)
Inviting someone to join and support me when needed or when wanting a break from reality.
you're just so bored of the shameless pay
Feeling unfulfilled or discontent with a job that is not rewarding or gives little satisfaction.
from working the department
Referring to the monotony or feeling of being stuck in a mundane job in a department store or other similar place.
i know you're tired
Acknowledging someone's exhaustion or tiredness from life's struggles.
but im complacent
Feeling comfortable or stagnant in life, possibly afraid or unwilling to change.
lets pace around in our apartment
Suggesting a small form of action, with a lack of motivation to go out and do something bigger or meaningful.
cause oh
Once again sighing, feeling lost or unfulfilled.
when i rest my head i feel the fear of falling
When trying to sleep, feeling anxious or scared of what's to come or the possibility of failing.
and in my own town i trip to a far off land
In a familiar place but feeling like I am somewhere far away, disconnected or lost.
thats the way
Accepting that this is the way it is, maybe feeling defeated or without control.
so forgive me for my lack of words
Apologizing for a lack of ability to express or communicate feelings coherently.
announcing adjectives are slowly pulling down my spine
Feeling like using describing words are making me feel heavy, perhaps adding to anxiety or writer's block.
and it seems each of them can't find a way to make any sense of it
Feeling like words can't fully describe how I feel or what's going on, adding frustration.
just like me
Feeling like the lack of clarity in words reflects a lack of clarity in myself or my life.
and repeatedly the paper man says that its all wrong
Feeling like society often tells me that what I'm doing or feeling is wrong or not enough.
and all i got are sedatives in these damn songs
Feeling like the only way to cope is by escaping through music or other forms of release.
but i grew up on them superstitions
Growing up with beliefs or superstitions that may still influence my way of thinking or behaviors.
probable cause for my lack of ambition at all
Feeling like my superstitious beliefs may be hindering my ability to have ambition or move forward in life.
gotta get out
Feeling a need to escape, perhaps for a change of scenery or to break free from stagnation.
gotta get out today
Feeling an urgency to escape or make changes soon, wanting to take action now.
Contributed by Ian P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Capn Camden
I want to learn this song so bad but i can't find accurate chords that can help me.
erik happ
everyday.... is so wonderfulll.....
Forever/ Endeavor
One of the greatest bands there never was. Sigh
No Context Gaming
Saw these dudes open for the dear hunter and mewithoutYou back in the summer of 09. Was absolutely blown away, hopefully one day they will work on music for this project again.