“If the band’s previous work (Love Is Punk) positioned them as inheritors of alternative tradition, ‘Champions’ is where they step into their own spotlight: audacious, confident, and unafraid to dance at the end of the world.”
“I’m compelled to say that Dark City Kings are not merely a band; they are a cultural movement. Their music is a clarion call for anyone who believes that love is not confined to quiet whispers but is a loud, defiant force that challenges norms and breaks barriers.”
“There’s something magnetic about the new EP Champions of Tomorrow’s Fun by Dark City Kings. Fueled by equal parts poetry and punk, the Black Mountain band’s latest release fuses vibrant new wave energy with an emotional punch that sticks. Led by the electric pairing of Colleen Rose’s striking vocals and Kevin Moloney’s production finesse, this double single glows with raw exuberance and sharp melodic sensibilities.”
“In a musical climate where pop often hides in the underground shadows, Dark City Kings refuse to play it cool- instead, they embrace it, magnify it, and send it spinning into the night like a glittering flare.”
“I love the both the heartfelt and the euphoric character they bring to their music. The anthemic passages also stand out, inviting their audience to sing along without hesitation. Together with lively guitars, the driving percussion, and the bright and soulful vocals, the violin playing also shines with a remarkable level of virtuosity.
At the same time, Dark City Kings embody a truly timeless and genre-crossing style, setting themselves up to be instantly identifiable within the indie music scene.”
“It’s the kind of music that makes you happy you found it.
The title track [of EP, Champions of Tomorrow’s Fun] bursts in with lively instrumentation, sharp hooks and a female vocal that’s not only strong but memorable. There’s this little laugh tucked in the background alongside the catchy male vocals that adds pure charm, one of those small touches you can’t help but smile at. It’s a song built for movement and full of an energy that grabs you from the first note.
Then there’s ‘Atmosphere’ which slows things down without losing impact. It’s warm and beautifully written with instrumentation that wraps around the vocals like a soft blanket. The production is clean but still feels deep and alive.”
“The balance between the two songs really gives the [Champions of Tomorrow’s Fun] EP personality, showing they’re not afraid to mix moods while keeping things accessible. It’s safe to say that the release shows how talented Dark City Kings are.”
“Dark City Kings is a versatile indie band from the USA that you should definitely keep an eye on. With ‘Champions of Tomorrow’s Fun,’ they present us with two strong tracks [Champions of Tomorrow’s Fun, Atmosphere] that are both captivating and soulful.
Anyone who loves handcrafted folk music will get their money’s worth here – longing and the desire for more included! While the opening song of the same name shines with a fast, up-tempo, and anthemic aspect, ‘Atmosphere’ delivers a more gentle and contrasting ballad sound that gets under your skin. The focus is on the dynamic vocals, the precise violin playing, but also the lively guitars and percussion, which together create a truly colorful, diverse, and interesting atmosphere with a live feel.”
“From now on, when I think of pop-folk, nothing less than Dark City Kings will ever suffice. The benchmark has been set.”
“Love is punk is not just the name of their next release, it is a whole concept expressed by the members of Dark City Kings. Love is the most surprising and unpredictable thing that can happen in our life. Likewise, Dark City Kings’ music is a genre of its own that deserves attention from music critics and love from fans of thoughtful songs.”
“Dark City Kings, an eclectic ensemble from Black Mountain, NC, has delivered a groundbreaking album with “Love Is Punk.””
“There is this common thread of playfulness, jollity, and intellectuality, too. It’s as if Irish music, pop, and rock all met in a classroom at Berkeley and decided to form a trio.”
“‘Love Is Punk’ is a defiant declaration of love, a celebration of the human spirit, and a testament to the enduring power of punk rock.”
“The Dark City Kings have not just made an incredible piece of music with Love Is Punk, but they’ve cultivated a way of life. Listen to Love Is Punk if you need a reminder that love is noisy, restless, beautiful freedom.”
“What happens when new wave meets folk punk? What happens when the rolling hills of North Carolina collide with the back alleys of New York City? The Dark City Kings write pop anthems disguised as folk songs. Their music is aspirational, combining everything good about American music into one carefully crafted record.”
*3:https://loopsolitaire.co.uk/blog/dark-city-kings-champions-of-tomorrows-fun/
*4:https://notransmission.com/dark-city-kings-light-the-night-with-champions-of-tomorrows-fun-ep/
*5:https://indie-tapes.com/post/791201272035442688/dark-city-kings-champions-of-tomorrows-fun
*6:https://cheerstothevikings.com/2025/08/13/dark-city-kings-champions-of-tomorrows-fun/
*7:https://beachhousemag.co/dark-city-kings-champions-of-tomorrows-fun/
*8:https://newindieradar.com/post/791202115506864128/neuerscheinung-champions-of-tomorrows-fun-von
*9:https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/dark-city-kings-love-is-punk-self-released
*10:https://indiedockmusicblog.co.uk/?p=25238
*11:https://www.flexmusicblog.com/post/interview-the-dark-city-kings
*12:https://jammerzine.com/the-dark-city-kings-love-is-punk/
*14:https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2024/08/dark-city-kings-love-is-punk-2024.html
*15:https://www.isrbx.me/3138159490-the-dark-city-kings-love-is-punk-2024.html
Why is Love Punk? Jammerzine Q&A with lyricist JP Kennedy.
First of all, why is love punk? How did that idea first come to you guys?
It’s an idea that grew – rather than us being struck by lightning. The core of the band has been around the Asheville music scene for 10 years – and being in bands is like being in a relationship. Tons of emotions. Bands break apart and bands come back together. But it’s all worth it. It’s worth picking yourself up and trying again, putting yourself out there. The song “Love Is Punk” was written last summer after two guitar players left and Merlin joined on guitar and Kyrie joined on violin. It’s a wordy narrative song and doesn’t have a lot of melody and people sometimes get up and get a drink when we play it – but it stuck around and we recorded it. The idea slowly grew on us – yeah – love is punk. Love is DIY. Love is noisy and love is trying to be yourself and trying to find someone else and jumping around on stage and just trying to connect. Especially in this world, yeah, love is rebellion. So… Love is PUNK! We finished the recording and Kevin Moloney said: “I hope the album is called Love Is Punk.”
What was working with Kevin Moloney like?
On August 21, 2023, Kevin Moloney reached out to us. “Hi guys! Tis Kevin Moloney here. I’m a record producer from Ireland now resident here in Asheville… I’m digging your raw beautiful songs & will make it along to one of your upcoming gigs soon….” That’s the producer of Sinead O’Connor’s first two albums and engineer of U2’s first five albums. It was crazy. He came to our shows and hung out with us. Craig lives in an old homestead on a dirt road up in the mountains, with small rooms, low ceilings, and a wood fireplace. We’d practice there and Kevin would sit in the doorway with his small book and take notes. He looks like a wizard and speaks with a heavy Irish accent with lots of Irish idioms. If we played “Party Clothes” he’d get up and dance. We played music and drank beers and Irish whiskey into the night. He made us believe in ourselves. It was the sweetest most magical thing.