Hembree is one of Kansas City’s most popular indie-rock bands, and has an opening slot for Elvis Costello & the Imposters at Crossroads KC on Friday.
In spite of Hembree’s popularity, the band isn’t an obvious candidate to open for Costello. The British star is a dazzling lyricist, while Hembree’s appeal is rooted in its moody sound.
The band rose from the ashes of the defunct Americana band Quiet Corral, but Hembree’s polished sound bears little resemblance to Quiet Corral’s folk-rock.
On its single "Holy Water" – which has been streamed more than 500,000 times on Spotify – Hembree cleverly incorporates the most fashionable elements of contemporary indie-rock: shimmering production, powerful polyrhythms and the sublimation of electric guitars.
Hembree opens for Elvis Costello & the Imposters at Crossroads KC on Friday, June 9. On Saturday, June 17, Hembree headlines one of three stages at the Boulevardia festival in Kansas City's West Bottoms.
KCUR Contributor Bill Brownlee blogs about Kansas City’s jazz scene at Plastic Sax.
