SONG PREMIERE: Killer Kaya Brings Mystical Funk Alive on “Understood”

Santa Barbara based psychedelic funk band, Killer Kaya, releases “Understood” (below) one of the tracks from their upcoming album said to be coming out later this year. While “Understood” holds true to the funk and soul elements found on their last EP “Cigarette Echolocation”, the addition of the saxophone indicates experimentation with a new sound that combines their inclination of late sixties psychedelia with a uniquely modern twist.

The horns and vocals on “Understood” are intimately connected and feed off each other creating a sound that is a time capsule back to bands like Janis Joplin and Big Brother and The Holding Company. A song that lyrically reflects a need to feel accepted, Apoorva Chiplunkar’s firecracker vocals burst in flames on top of driving guitar rhythms and a simple percussion base that provides a foundation on which the track charges forward. Self-recorded and produced by guitarist Rengert, Understood was mixed and mastered at Playback Studios in Santa Barbara, CA.

Killer Kaya, named after their rather large housecat, is a love child of hippies and scientists all living under one roof. The band consists of Apoorva Chiplunkar on vocals, Zach Rengert on guitar, Eric Engel on drums, Alex Pavellas on bass, Cory Lund on trumpet and keys, and Josh Sheltzer on saxophone.

Killer Kaya has played shows throughout Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and the Central Coast area. Having played shows with notable musicians like funk legend Shuggie Otis and Chad Smith of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Killer Kaya is poised to become Santa Barbara’s very own psychedelic outfit. Killer Kaya will be making their festival debut at Starry Nites Festival- happening March 18th and 19th at the Live Oak Campground in the mountains of Santa Barbara and will be playing alongside acts like The Kills, Cat Power, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Teenage Fanclub, and She Wants Revenge.

Killer Kaya will shortly be announcing Spring dates in Santa Barbara with San Francisco based rockers Snow Angel and will be playing a Northern California tour at the end of the summer.

Links:

From EP Cigarette Echolocation

Soul on Fire:

Sandy Potato Chip: 

Cloud Nine:

Link to Full EP:

Facebook:

Instagram:

Band Camp: