Lonely Little Kitsch Hits Heavy with "Ill at Ease"
- jaybroderick
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
By: Jay Broderick - You know how sometimes things just hit you right? Like an author? Clive Barker always seemed to hit the mark. Or a movie director? Like, Brian De Palma was a genius! Not always winning awards, but it doesn't matter! You grow completely fond of the brilliant work. And then of course, there's music. With music, there somehow seems to be an even greater fondness for local artists, especially when they make great music. It hits us, and we love it!
Niagara's Lonely Little Kitsch fit the bill perfectly. Having previously released 5 singles, including the NHL on Sportsnet featured, and radio played "The New Scene", and "Monster", the band is currently working on their first full length album, with an expected release later this year.
Fronted by vocalist Kristen Goetz, and guitarist Nolan Jodes, LLK have a penchant for writing catchy tracks, with superb vocal harmonies, and classic rock and roll arrangements. On April 24, the band officially released their 6th single "Ill At Ease". How does it stack up with their previous winning formula? Let's have a listen.
The newest LLK track starts off with a bassy, alternative rock introduction, but then Goetz's quintessential vocals tell us of her restlessness. "Nowhere to hide, Dread lives behind my eyes." Despite the beat, it's an immediate, somewhat uncomfortable, look inside the singer's head. To one who can't specifically relate, it brings an air of sadness, despite the juxtaposed music. How are we supposed to react when people are suffering in this manner? "As someone who has severe anxiety and constant panic attacks, it’s always interesting to speak to anyone who has never experienced either one" Goetz shares. While I can't relate from a personal perspective, I'm no stranger to the pain and emotional angst. My mother had suffered from mental illness that brought intense bouts of anxiety, worry and sleepless nights. My emotions are brought to level 10, 30 seconds into the impassioned sounds over my speakers.
The melodic tempo picks up at the track's chorus, but the melancholic message remains true. Lyrically, the song's message becomes crystal clear as we get a deeper view inside the mind of the singer as she spirals into a dark place that she can't get out of.
The arrangements on Lonely Little Kitsch's 6th single is brilliant. While musically it doesn't start out specifically moody and sombre like the lyrics, the track becomes increasingly more upbeat, only to lyrically take us back to a place of distress. At "Ill At Ease"'s crescendo, with the continued increased momentum, and crunchy guitar riffs, LLK send us into a feeling of peace of mind, and hey, maybe everything is going to be ok! But "Inside I'm torn apart". It's a perfect reflection on the outward appearance that people who suffer from mental illness often portray. How often are we surprised to hear of the mental struggles of friends and family who seemed so happy and put together?
For me, this is an extremely emotional track from Lonely Little Kitsch. Its theme is powerful. If you don't feel a sense of intense understanding for the plight of the message bringer, then perhaps you need to check yourself. The song brings deep thoughts of my sorely missed mother, who sadly passed on August 25th, 2023. She was a week from her 80th birthday, and while that's a great run (one I'm not certain I'll equal), her passing left a tear in my heart that will never heal. And while "Ill At Ease" brings some painful memories to mind, it's what makes music so amazing! Thank you Lonely Little Kitsch!!
And while sometimes it feels hopeless for those who battle these struggles every day, it truly is ok!
On March 13th, I finally caught up with Lonely Little Kitsch on the live stage at Sneaky Dee's. "Ill At Ease" was the band's second last song of their set. Ahead of the track, Kristen Goetz commented to the crowd "Speaking of panic attacks, that's our next song, and yes, I'm having one right now!" At the time (and in my ignorance), I didn't understand what she was alluding to. The band was great, and Goetz appeared as comfortable on the stage as anyone. And then this song hit me, and I understood.
Lonely Little Kitsch Online
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