By Lauren Moquin
A Kitner practice session could easily be mistaken for any other Sunday night friend hangout.
There’s beer, string lights, infectious laughter, and reason offered as to why Ted Cruz could most certainly be the Zodiac Killer. The sacred aspect of this get-together setting it apart? When most people are victim to leaving great ideas on the table, they are piecing together what they’ve got.
Last spring, guitarist/vocalist Conor Maier and guitarist James Christopher sorted through treasures at Boomerangs, a thrift shop in Jamaica Plain, they realized that that they could no longer just tinker with the idea of combining musical forces with a new band, they had to take action. The two would open each others’ eyes to new music at work on the regular. Maier remembers when Christopher nudged him to listen to The Get Up Kids at work for the first time, securing their friendship. Collaborating influences only seemed right.
Maier and Chistopher, who are also members of Holiday Music and Choke Up respectively, recruited some musical friends from the local scene. Christine Atturio of Save Ends, in particular, was assumed by Christopher to have played bass before since he recalled her owning one. Although she actually had no previous bass experience, she brought the bass she had on hand and went with it.
Now, Kitner finds themselves practicing new tracks to build their first LP, following their bright, soulful pop punk EP, Stay Sad. The respect and camaraderie comes with ease not only when sound advice is directed towards each other, but also when deciding how to deal with their alarmingly loud practice space neighbors, a middle-aged-Guns-N-Roses cover band.
“Why not play louder? We can do it!” Christopher suggests as the five looked at each other in agreement, but as soon as the neighbors take a break to introduce themselves in a way, they couldn’t help but halt. “And to my right… Jim on drums!” faintly heard from next door as a drum solo preceded. “Um, I think they’re introducing themselves in there? What’s happening?” Atturio said as everyone broke in a laugh. But in little time, Kitner continued with giddy excitement for a shot with their new tracks.
After playing in multiple bands, going to shows, and working venues for a couple years, members of Kitner wove themselves deeply in the Boston circle. “If we look familiar, it’s because we’re always around,” Christopher explained.
Atturio, cites the willingness to be active in the community as a driving factor in getting a band rolling. Tracing back to her transition from the suburbs to the heart of the city, she is quick to suggest to anyone interested in music, to put themselves out there.
Sometimes it seems that groups are already set and everybody knows each other already, but that’s why you just have to go out to shows and meet people. That’s the biggest thing that you can do, ” Atturio smiled, “And then you can coax some people into sharing a practice space and playing loud.”
You can catch Kitner this Saturday alongside Funeral Advantage, Burglary Years, and Pleasure Gap at O’Brien’s to benefit the MSPCA. Tickets are $10.00 and all proceeds will go to the MSPCA. This show is in honor of Lily, the cat of Kitner keyboardist, Brianne Costa.
Fellow Domino-signees
Giannascoli himself has morphed into something of a showman, maintaining his goofy, pseudo-braggadocios stage presence (including announcing said “best band in the world”
