Artist description Kingfly is a North Carolina-based pop/rock band writing songs with strong melodic hooks, harmonies and textured guitars with a lush production style.

Music Style Pop/Rock

Musical Influences The Beatles, Radiohead, Cheap Trick, Daniel Lanios

Similar Artists Crowded House, Radiohead, XTC

Artist History Pop song-craft is the forte of King Fly, a seasoned New York-based trio. Formed in 1997 around the songwriting and production team of Anand Gan and Doug Davis, the band has evolved into a versatile, dynamic live act. The band works in a variety of guitar-based pop traditions, and its music has been favorably compared to the intelligent pop-craft of Elvis Costello, Neil Finn, Squeeze, XTC, and Michael Penn, the power-pop energy of Cheap Trick, and the textural ambience of Daniel Lanois and Yo La Tengo.In the fall of 1999, King Fly released its second self-produced CD, "Aquamarine Scene," and has since been servicing it to regional college and AAA radio. The band has been supporting the CD through live performances in New York City and throughout the northeast, and through an intensive Internet presence. Songs from "Aquamarine Scene" are currently in rotation at a number of Internet radio stations, including thestreamradio.com and Artistlaunch.com. The band has also been featured heavily on such high-profile websites as MP3.com, where three songs were featured in the top 10 of the AAA charts for several weeks, with one song, "For Mrs. White," achieving the #1 spot in its genre in December, 1999.Both "Aquamarine Scene" and its predecessor, 1997's "Stock Music," were recorded at the band's own Brooklyn-based studio, the Fly Trap. Gan and Davis continue to produce and record other artists here as well, including Artie Lamonica (the Shirts, Rome 56), and Mary Elizabeth Rupich.

Group Members Anand Gan - vocals, drums, percussion, loopsDoug Davis - vocals, guitars, bass guitars, keyboards, accordionDerek Cheever - bass guitar

Instruments Lush guitars, tasteful rhthym section, touches of piano and organ, textured vocals.

Albums Stock Music, 1997 - Aquamarine Scene, 1999 - elevatorup, 2002

Press Reviews “If the ultimate criterion which defines the potential of a musical project rests within the quality of the material, Anand Gan and Doug Davis have once again succeeded with flying colors. Purveyors of pop-rock on a level seldom heard these days, the duo’s second full-length CD should be required listening for fans of the genre. “Aquamarine Scene” is a flawless, exquisitely crafted work of pop-rock art. Gan (vocals, drums, percussion, loops) and Davis (vocals, guitars, basses, keyboards, accordion) are the essence of symbiosis; a creative combination where the connection has crossed the threshold of verbal communication into the territory of telepathy. This album was recorded in their home studio; take a careful listen to what’s been accomplished here. Engineered by Gan and co-produced by the duo, the end result is indistinguishable from that of so-called ‘professional’ studios charging upwards of $200 an hour. It’s not just Gan and Davis’ talent that’s responsible for this, it’s something even more vital; the intense care that was poured into every nook and cranny of these twelve songs. Once again, another beautiful example of the indie freedom that allow true art to soar to its greatest heights. Bravo, King Fly!” -- Roy Abrams, The Inside Connection, 11/99“This band is incredibly good. Extremely fine talent who are liable to be snatched up by a major record label … The music is fantastic -- wonderful guitars and terrific mixing. The vocals are top notch and have the kind of sound that makes them unique and not a cookie-cutter copy of other groups.” -- Xemplary, 10/17/99, (www.xemplary.com)“…intriguing song-creating … filled with little treasures … Music used to be filled with these kind of melody makers … an appealing pop rock record. Top-notch songwriting, terrific sounding, and I find myself listening to it a bunch. I would absolutely recommend giving it a listen or checking these guys out live if you have a chance … Aquamarine Scene is a cool disc … I dig King Fly. -- Kurt Hernon, Bangsheet“… polished pop music of the jangly kind, there are enough strong melodies and interesting orchestrations that make this stand out from the morass …” -- James Brown, Black Velvet Magazine (UK)“A New York duo whose dreamy, jangly sound is anything but New York-like … you'll really like their CD, Aquamarine Scene” -- David Bash, IPO catalog 2000“great melodic rock with a poppy attitude … there's a lot to be found out about this band” -- Terry Allen, hEARD Magazine, 12/99 (http://www.ozemail.com.au/~hmag/)“Music you could easily get caught up in … The talent … is very obvious … two singers I personally could listen to all day … A very talented band that has its own distinctive sound. Check them out!” -- Lynn Beck, Purr Magazine, 12/99 (www.purrmag.com)“[An] exquisitely crafted album … [an] ambient gem. Not power pop, but a gorgeous album of exotic melody … King Fly is the best band to call Brooklyn its home since the days of doo-wop" -- Sherman Boim, New York Power Pop Page (http://powerpop.home.att.net)

Location Winston-Salem, NC - USA

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