Current band members:
Eloi Youssef - vocals, guitar, keys
Casper Starreveld - guitar, vocals, keys
Jan Haker - bass, keys, backing vocals
Niles Vandenberg - drums
The band formed in 2006 with Casper Starreveld on lead vocals, and with original drummer Lucas Lenselink, after the dissolution of the band Quad. In the same year they released their first single "An Introduction To...", followed by their self-titled first EP in 2007, which featured guitarist Eloi Youssef as co-lead vocalist for the first time.
Drummer Lucas Lenselink decided to leave the band in 2008, and was succeeded by Niles Vandenberg. In the same year the band released their "Youth" EP, which gained them their first country wide airplay. The band's sudden success lead to the release of Kensington's first album, "Borders", which was released in 2010. The album was the first to have Eloi Youssef sing all of the lead vocals, with Casper Sterreveld handling the backing vocals.
There’s no such thing as a key to success, but recording your debut Borders in Kaiser Chiefs’ studio in Leeds, getting it mastered by John Davis (U2, Arctic Monkeys, Snow Patrol) and sharing the stage with the likes of Razorlight, My Chemical Romance and The Wombats, definitely make up for a good start. In 2011 this success is starting to pay off.
After playing the Eurosonic/Noorderslag festival in January 2011, (popular music magazine OOR: “One of the best bands of the Netherlands”) things started rolling for Kensington. The band performs in prime-time TV talk show ‘De Wereld Draait Door’ and embarks on a headlining No Borders tour throughout Holland. They sell out venues such as Paradiso (Amsterdam), Rotown (Rotterdam) and Tivoli (Utrecht), and a concert review by 3VOOR12 (leading online music magazine) speaks of “international standards”.
With their single Let Go, which was recorded in Berlin and mastered in New York, the band’s ascent continues. Radio 3FM (one of the largest Dutch radio stations) starts playing the song the day after the band returns from the studio and the song quickly reaches ‘3FM Megahit’ status, resulting in heavy airplay. A second headlining tour is announced along with a long list of summer festivals. Furthermore, the band is nominated for 'Best newcomer' at the 3FM Awards 2011. In two years time, Kensington have established themselves in the Dutch music scene.
In 2012 the band released their second album, Vultures, and played as headliner on many Dutch festivals that year and in 2013. In the summer of 2014 third album Rivals. Shortly after, they announced a European tour with over 20 dates in several countries. The finish of the tour will be in the Ziggo Dome. The first show sold out in eleven hours which made the band decide to add a second show as well. The second gig sold out as well, confirming Kensington's status as one of the biggest dutch acts.
DISCOGRAPHY:
2006 - An Introduction To... (EP)
2007 - Kensington (EP)
2008 - Youth (EP)
2010 - Borders
2012 - Vultures
2014 - Rivals
Kilimanjaro
Kensington Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leave me alone
Keep me away
To kill us in a way we won't die
Keep me away
Leave me alone
To kill us in a way we won't die
To kill us in a way we won't die
To kill us in a way we won't die
Give me a way
We're going on
Give me a way
We're going on
Give me a way
We're going on
Give me a way
We're going
On
If this is it then let me go
On
If this is it then let me out
To kill us in a way we won't die
To kill us in a way we won't die
Keep me away
Give me a way
We're going
Keep me away
Give me a way
We're going
On
If this is it then let me go
On
If this is it don't lead me
On
If this is it then let me go
On
If this is it then let me out
Cruel you found the way
Cruel you found the way
Cruel you found the way
When all you were, is already gone
Cruel you found the way
When all you were, is already gone
The lyrics to Kensington's song "Kilimanjaro" seem to be about someone who is struggling or perhaps suffering emotionally, and asking to be kept away or left alone. The repeated refrain of "keep me away, leave me alone" may signify a desire to distance oneself from others in order to cope. The line "to kill us in a way we won't die" is a bit cryptic, but could suggest a search for a way to numb or escape the pain without actually ending one's life. The following verse seems to express a longing for some kind of solution, with the repetition of "give me a way" and the assertion that "we're going on". The bridge ("if this is it then let me go") could be interpreted as a moment of surrender, acknowledging that perhaps there is no easy answer or solution to the emotions being felt.
The final stanza is particularly poignant, with the repetition of "cruel you found the way" potentially referring to someone or something that has caused the pain in the first place. The lyrics "when all you were, is already gone" could be interpreted as a statement of loss or abandonment. Overall, "Kilimanjaro" explores complex emotional themes of pain, longing, and desperation, and the search for a way to continue despite these feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep me away
I want to be kept away, given distance from something or someone.
Leave me alone
I want to be left unbothered or allowed to be by myself and not have anyone interrupt or interact with me.
To kill us in a way we won't die
There is a desire for something to happen which will cause a transformation, will change, or possibly challenge an individual in a way that does not necessarily require death.
Give me a way
I am seeking a method, a technique or a direction/path that will lead me to where I need to be.
We're going on
We're continuing to move forward or progress despite past challenges or obstacles.
If this is it then let me go
If this is all there is to life, then allow me to move forward and experience it without any constraints or interruptions.
If this is it then let me out
If this is all there is to life, then let me escape from it or find a way to experience it differently.
Keep me away
I want to be kept away, given distance from something or someone.
Give me a way
I am seeking a method, a technique or a direction/path that will lead me to where I need to be.
On
We will continue to move forward, progress, and challenge ourselves.
Cruel you found the way
It was hurtful, possibly deceitful or unfair, how life presented an opportunity or solution.
When all you were, is already gone
There were no more options or opportunities left when the original option was presented, making it feel cruel or unfair.
Contributed by Vivian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Andreplusplus
on Done With It
I completely disagree - I think to see references to a poker game. Also some parts I think are different (even though on the website of the band the lyrics seem to be not accurate and unfortunately Eloi is not known for his best pronunciation (he has much other good qualities)
Gone by now instead of gone but now...
Gunning out iso gone and out
But again you rise iso ride