DIG DEEPER series brings KINGS GO FORTH to Southpaw!
When Michael and I started Dig Deeper two years ago, it was with a goal of booking our soul heroes of the 1960s and 1970s, artists who haven’t performed in town in 20-40 years – an endeavor we took on because nobody else was doing it. So why exactly are we breaking rank and bringing a contemporary band from Milwaukee to town for our April 24 show?
We’ve been friends with Andy Noble for a good while, a fellow soul and funk record obsessive whose knowledge about the genre would fill volumes. We remember when he mentioned that he was starting a soul group and were intrigued. Then we remember when he shared a recording of what would be the first Kings Go Forth single (released on 45rpm vinyl, naturally), and were blown away.
Simultaneously incendiary and uplifting with the sonic lineage of the best of Curtis Mayfield, we knew even before it was released that “One Day” would be an instant classic. Since then, “One Day” on their own Mr. C’s label sold out the initial pressing the day the band put it on sale, and since then has regularly traded hands amongst DJs and collectors for $150. It’s been a regular spin in our DJ sets to the joy of the post-show dancefloor at Dig Deeper.
But what about bringing the band themselves to NYC? When would we get a taste of the band’s fiery live performances? I guess that is what makes this a classic Dig Deeper performance – imagine the challenge of coordinating bringing a 10 piece band, most of whose members have regular day jobs, halfway across the country…would it ever happen?
Then we got lucky – coincidently as we were planning our 2010 season, Andy mentioned that their debut album on Luaka Bop “The outsiders are back” would be coming out the week of our April Dig Deeper, and a mini tour came together – the band’s very first in NYC, and also their first outside the Midwest.
Our usual once in a lifetime show? So far, yes. But let’s hope this is just the start for Kings Go Forth. We think you’ll be hearing a lot more from them in the years to come.
Kings Go Forth will be playing an early and a late set on April 24. By the way, if you were wondering, that is indeed Mr. Robinson starring in Kings Go Forth’s “One Day” video: