The Band KittenHead Promotes Social Justice Through Song
There’s something deeper behind the rock and roll lyrics of California-based indie band, Kittenhead, than a passion for music and self-expression. There lies a sense of responsibility to use the platform of the musical stage to be advocates for the disenfranchised and a voice in the movement for more social justice.
DD ( guitar/bass/vocals), Kivi (vocals/lyrics) O-Face (drums/percussion), VJJ (bass/guitar/vocals), and Danny (guitar), joined forces in May 2012 and played its first live shows in September 2012 in the Pacific Northwest, with a headlining slot at the Comet in Seattle. The band has since played all of the major cities on the West Coast and resides in the California Bay Area.
Kivi met DD after attending law school but found that working in the legal system was not the best way to promote social justice. Kivi and DD invited O-Face to join them and added VJJ after an audition, and together, the band continued to passionately use their art to make a difference.
“I feel like art is one of the ways to mobilize people and to have people actually question things,” said Kivi. “In a song they see the lyrics and, they may not even understand the lyrics, but then they go in and examine it more and realize that ‘Oh, I really like this song, and this message isn’t something that I ever thought about,’ and so they may start to really think about it.”
The band took this goal and quickly acquired growing success and recognition. In the fall of 2012, Kittenhead recorded their first EP, “Derby Girl,” which gained radio play for the title track. Today the track is currently the skate out music for Roller Derby Leagues around the world from the UK to Australia and across North and South America.
The song resonates with so many people because of its message, its relevance to the current political climate, and the song’s ability to open up dialogue and motivate people to also become activists.
“One of our passions is social change as a band,” said Kivi. “We are about as diverse as you could be, and we are a really good example of what society can be if we just listen to each other, pay attention, and come from a place of love and not a place of fear and hate.”
The band released their latest EP, Not Your Bitch, in late August. One song on the EP of the same name adds to the conversation about today’s political climate and finds its message in line with what the “Me Too” movement tries to portray.
“Not Your bitch is basically a ‘Me Too’ song,” said Kivi. “The third verse is very much directed at Donald Trump. It’s basically like, ‘don’t grab me don’t touch me. I’m not your bitch.’ It also has a political rant in the middle of it.”
There’s no doubt that this band is here to make a difference, as they have proved their dedication to helping their fellow human whether it be playing benefit shows for cancer survivors, college scholarships, and animal rights organizations.
The band is all about using their voice to enact change, create a positive impact on the world, and committing to help contribute to the efforts of other prominent activists alike in forming a better society.
“The reality is that we all have to wake up with ourselves,” said Kivi. “We all have to pursue things that are going to make us enjoy this world, and that means being true to yourself. If you’re an artist, it’s very much like being queer and I think that’s one of the reasons why queer artists are more apt to be successful because they know that they have to be true to themselves. We know that we can’t play in this little straight two people, two kids, two golden retrievers Y-X box. I think it’s easier in some ways for us to pursue our art. I just tell people that you just have to keep going. It doesn’t matter if people don’t get it. Just keep going.”
You can check out the band live at their upcoming show on Friday, March 15 at the Doll Hut in Anaheim, CA to kick off their music tour. You can also check out their song, “Tinman,” on Spotify.