It’s official, I got a girl crush. Kitten is the band. Chloe Chaidez is the object of my affection. I got it bad ya’ll. Yeah, I know and I am just as surprised too. Let’s get this straight. I am not some floosy easily enamored by a demi-rock Pop-goddess with the stage presence of a modern day Madge Ciccone (but with prettier and softer edges than M. Sorry Ms. Material Girl). At first brush Kitten is Madonna, Taylor Dane and Cyndi Lauper-ish, but with extra sprinkles and sweeter glitter. Yet, her sound isn’t as simplistic as it seems. There exists depths of influence and elements with deep roots from the late 60’s and 70’s. A heavy dose of the bands stemming from the British Invasion. Along with a spattering of divergent elements as well. I musn’t forget her supporting cast. Guitarist Andy Miller and bassist Chris Vogel bring the goods and then some. Kitten is purely hard candy-Pop with an independent spirit. It’s at times a funkier, more often than not a post-punkier scope and orchestration. She’s like a jawbreaker or an all-day Day-Glo sucker. Kitten’s self-titled debut album is an alt sort of Pop too, which doesn’t don primary colors. No, hers is an ultraviolet and star splashed fluorescent patina. Yes, I have a genuine and unapologetic girl crush indeed.
Backstory. When? April 14, 2013. Where? The Loft. Lansing, Michigan. Kitten was opening for the Joy Formidable and as fate would have it her and I where in a dingy bathroom washing our hands, side by side. Her. A rising star. Me. An adoring fan. The entire time I wanted to let her know, I in fact knew exactly who I sharing this grungy, graffitied bathroom sink with. Instead, I told her how much I really liked her shorts (Yes, I actually went all fangirl brain dead, but do you blame me?). Seconds later we went on our separate ways. She. To her dressing room. Me. I joined the throng of people waiting for the show to start. Even then I knew, for girls we know. We know how love at first sight feels. It’s a lasso constricting the heart, and when I had air enough to breath all I could utter was, “I really like your shorts…”
Present day. When? July 1, 2014. Where? The Shelter. Detroit, Michigan. Kitten is currently on their first headlining tour. From the very first notes I watched as Kitten’s (Chloe Chaidez) took to the stage and transformed the otherwise nondescript surroundings into her own personal space. Instantly, I was transported back to a dingy bathroom a year ago, we were close again. Close, because when Chloe performs the music has a way of stripping away the distance and enveloping listeners in her aura and pulling you in.
Chloe isn’t quite 20-years old yet, but she holds her own. Her Shelter set was flawless, moving from one song to the next seamlessly. At one point she took up the drums and beat them like some wild primal princess. Talk about SEX-SY! I watched too her rock star antics, as she climbed to the rafters. So badass. Chloe is something to behold and she without a doubt knows what she is doing. Being on stage, she’s in her element much like some mythical Valkyrie/Siren hybrid wielding her power of seduction with little effort. And when she launched in my fav song, Cut It Out, she killed me ever so softly. Right through the heart. SPEECHLESS!
There is an actualization which takes place here, Chloe has been honing her musical craftwomanship since she was a preteen. It is more than evident she’s not only talented, but she’s a natural. Her music, on record or during a live set, does not show signs of the awkwardness, indirection, immaturity, or lack of self-confidence you’d expect from someone her age. At 19 Chloe knows what she’s about, and it’s beyond beautiful.
After the show (with the song Why I Wait floating in my heart) Chloe hung out at the merch table graciously thanking fans. I stopped by and picked up the newly released self-titled Kitten album (which is awesome and has a very airy, 80’s pop feel to it). After plying her with kind words she signed the things I purchased, and then we took a selfie together. #awesome #imhuggingchloe #fangirlingsohard
Amazon
iTunes
Merch
Like I said earlier, it is one thing to listen to an artist’s music on a pre-recorded mp3, cd, etc., but quite another thing to see, hear and interact with someone like Kitten live. It does something to a girl and immediately my emotions got invested for the long haul. The band name Kitten is a bit of a misnomer though, because kittens are docile and cute. This brand of Kitten is anything but, Chloe is fierce and tenacious. Kitten forever! Corny I know, but whatevs. Crushes are like that. Corny. Silly. And at times totally unrealistic. But still they feel good.
So, this is how fans are made. I am not quite groupie status yet, but damn I could be. Who knows what the future holds?
Get with it, or go without. Don’t regret it.
-Ericka Kay