Cold Blue Kid

Artist Information

Biography

To reverse engineer the unique blend of energetic, ambient pop and moody, sonic landscapes emanating from Chicago’s Cold Blue Kid, you’d need to travel ever-so- slightly back in time to the year 2010, slipping unnoticed into the study of a tiny apartment on the city’s north side. It was there that guitarist/vocalist Alex Longoria, laid off, and raising a young daughter, discovered himself at a proverbial crossroads. Having reached the point in life when most artists reluctantly hang up their guitar and headphones, trading in their elusive dreams of youth for the equally elusive dreams of the responsible adult, Longoria followed his artistic passion and took the road decidedly less traveled (and also took a huge risk). For one year—much to the dismay of his family and friends —he spent his evenings locked in his DIY studio, creating musical sketches, influenced by his own life experiences—adolescent struggles, the trials of unexpected parenthood, and the subsequent struggle to balance artistic self-fulfillment with responsibility. This self-imposed, artistic exile gave birth to ten tracks that Longoria then published through social media sites, under the moniker Cold Blue Kid, “just to see what might happen.” As it turned out, a great deal happened.
Cold Blue Kid did not remain a solitary endeavor for long. Longoria’s very personal songs, chronicling his own experiences, seemed to resonate deeply with others; he immediately received positive feedback from across the globe—and locally as well.
Cold Blue Kid’s self-titled debut was released (on iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby) in 2010. By January 2011, a series of very fortunate events had put him in touch with a trove of talented Chicago musicians who, very quickly, fleshed out both the lineup and the sonic scope of the band. By March 2011, Cold Blue Kid was playing their first live show at the Double Door. Three months later, they were headlining at House of Blues—Chicago on a Friday night and being invited to perform a post-Lollapalooza show at the Hard Rock Cafe. Indeed, the band shows no signs of slowing down. Since the release of their EP Mimic in March 2012 the band continues to garner accolades from music blogs, magazines, and radio shows, both nationally and internationally—and perhaps most rewardingly, from some of their own favorite bands and influences. Yet, despite the almost otherworldly level of attention they’ve received in such a short time, the band remains grounded and unified by a shared love of music and a focused, workmanlike approach to their craft. Major influences have been Sonic Youth, Joy Division, Broken Social Scene, Fleetwood Mac & Smashing Pumpkins.
By March 2011, Cold Blue Kid was playing their first live show at the Double Door. Three months later, they were headlining at House of Blues—Chicago on a Friday night and being invited to perform a post-Lollapalooza show at the Hard Rock Cafe and selected as Filter Magazine's unsigned band of the month for July 2011 and featured in their winter 2011 hardcopy. Indeed, the band shows no signs of slowing down. In December 2011, they entered the studio to record their first studio EP "Mimic". After it's release on February 12, 2012 "Mimic" continues to garner accolades from music blogs, magazines, and radio shows, both nationally and internationally—and perhaps most rewardingly, from some of their own favorite bands and influences. Yet, despite the almost otherworldly level of attention they’ve received in such a short time, the band remains grounded and unified by a shared love of music and a focused, workmanlike approach to their craft.


“Filter Magazine is excited to introduce our next installment to the Discover The Undiscovered family; please meet Cold Blue Kid. Hailing from Chicago, the 5 piece band fronted by Alex Longoria creates a beautiful blend of guitars, effect pedals, drum machine beats, with a collection of poetry and a whole lot of imagination.”
— Staff, Filter Magazine

“The group played their first show back in March 2011 and began working the follow up to Alex's debut album back in November. The result is a 6-track ep that is a force in melodic guitar rock.”
- The Deli Magazine

"Cold Blue Kid manage to suspend their moodiness in an ethereal timbre. There are points of darkness here, to be sure, but they're hanging in shafts of light. The melancholy remains absolutely weightless. It's not easy to float sadness into the upper atmosphere, but that's exactly what Cold Blue Kid does best of all.”
— Sasha Geffen, Windy City Rock

“From the very beginning of our listening session(s), a growing sense of JAMC influence gives way to lightly threaded hints of New Order that seem to float out into an open sea of Scandinavian pop inspiration. All similarities aside, the occasional and unexpected launch of drifting guitars lay claim to a rare sweet spot in the ear, leaving our minds on the sun-drenched lawn of an imaginary summer music festival. Impressive new music from a band we hope to follow up on. ”
— 4casey4, Milk Milk Lemonade

“Emotionally charged dream pop. That is what I would define Cold Blue Kid’s, Mimic, as being. It’s very atmospheric and vivid. Each song radiates a glimmer that is absolutely mesmerizing. A treat echoing from the streets of Chicago.”
— Lovecat, Dingus

Instrumentation

Alex Longoria - Guitar & Vocals
Evan Holmes - Guitar &Vocals
Elizabeth Burchfield - Vocals, Synth
Curtis Schreiber - Drums

Discography

Cold Blue Kid - Mimic EP (released Feb 12 2012)

Cold Blue Kid - Cold Blue Kid (Jan 2011) (released on itunes, amazon, cdbaby)

Our music streams daily on MySpace, Napster, Facebook, Reverb Nation, CD Baby, and various college radio stations.

Official Website

http://www.coldbluekid.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Last.fm

Audio

• Now You Wake (Mastered)
  Listen   Download
• Maybetown
  Listen   Download
• Social Circles
  Listen   Download
• Mimic
  Listen   Download
• Stay Alive
  Listen   Download
• Violent Affair
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Hearts of Steel
• Maybe Town
• Setback

Video

Cold Blue Kid Now You Wake (LIVE in the studio).mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• Now You Wake - Cold Blue Kid [+ Show ]
  

  "Igniting this spellbound sense of psychedelic dream-love is singer/song writer Alex Longoria and El..."Igniting this spellbound sense of psychedelic dream-love is singer/song writer Alex Longoria and Elizabeth Burchfield whose dreamy, sensual voice delivers the chills. Cold Blue Kid is on their way to the top."

• COLD BLUE KID – “NOW YOU WAKE” [+ Show ]
  

  Cold Blue Kid’s new video for “Now You Wake” shows their masterful style at the experimental. The sm...Cold Blue Kid’s new video for “Now You Wake” shows their masterful style at the experimental. The smooth vibe and dual vocals play perfectly together and make you want to know more about this band from Chicago. Track them down. It’s worth the trip.

• Chicago's Up-And-Coming: Interview with Cold Blue Kid [+ Show ]
  

  "Atmospheric. Hauntingly mesmerizing. Cold Blue Kid's music has a unique, innovative sound, but also..."Atmospheric. Hauntingly mesmerizing. Cold Blue Kid's music has a unique, innovative sound, but also one that is also grounded in stability. The dreamy, fuzzy backdrops combined with darker rock elements and experimentation with different instruments leads to the culmination of a soothing soundtrack featuring all that is good in the world of indie folk rock. Songs range from introspective, comprised of languid beats, to summery, synth-induced rock."

• Review: Cold Blue Kid - Mimic [+ Show ]
  

  " Cold Blue Kid brings back the sounds from the early ’90s shoegazer and dreampop genres on their EP..." Cold Blue Kid brings back the sounds from the early ’90s shoegazer and dreampop genres on their EP Mimic. They deliver the psychedelic shoegazer package in predominantly chill downtempo manner. All in all a pleasant sounding EP from Cold Blue Kid.We look forward to hearing from them again."

• Discover The Undiscovered: Cold Blue Kid [+ Show ]
  

  Filter Magazine is excited to introduce our next installment to the Discover The Undiscovered family...Filter Magazine is excited to introduce our next installment to the Discover The Undiscovered family; please meet Cold Blue Kid. Hailing from Chicago, the 5 piece band fronted by Alex Longoria creates a beautiful blend of guitars, effect pedals, drum machine beats, with a collection of poetry and a whole lot of imagination. Since Cold Blue Kid’s opening show at the Double Door in March 2011 they’ve grown as artists and continue to strengthen as a band. Cold Blue Kid draws upon various influences from: Fleetwood Mac, Joy Division, Wilco, Broken Social Scene, Cure, Neil Young, Smashing Pumpkins to name a few.

• INTRODUCING // COLD BLUE KID [+ Show ]
  

  Cold Blue Kid are sure to rise in success this year. Their sound differs from much of their folk nei...Cold Blue Kid are sure to rise in success this year. Their sound differs from much of their folk neighbours, but the step outside the ordinary is far more of a ‘hit’ than a ‘miss’. Their enjoyable, yet emotional music needs attention.

• First Listen // Cold Blue Kid [+ Show ]
  

  Maybe Town is a loose and unhinged track that glides along on a menacing vocal and dreamy guitar lin...Maybe Town is a loose and unhinged track that glides along on a menacing vocal and dreamy guitar line before the addition of female vocals in the chorus takes the track somewhere new and unexpected. We like it a lot.

• Cold Blue Kid: Mimic - indie pop rock with a shoegaze touch [+ Show ]
  

  Cold Blue Kid delivers something new and out of the ordinary for indie pop lovers out there. Mimic ... Cold Blue Kid delivers something new and out of the ordinary for indie pop lovers out there. Mimic is a masterfully crafted record filled with a wave of indie shoegaze rock and punctuated with hazy 80s synth. It's a record that grows on you; forcing you to take a few steps back in hesitation at first listen, yet eventually wooing you in like a long lost lover holding their arms wide open. Step forward and embrace it fully.

• Cold Blue Kid: Mimic (EP) [+ Show ]
  

  All similarities aside, the occasional and unexpected launch of drifting guitars lay claim to a rare...All similarities aside, the occasional and unexpected launch of drifting guitars lay claim to a rare sweet spot in the ear, leaving our minds on the sun-drenched lawn of an imaginary summer music festival. Impressive new music from a band we hope to follow up on.

• BEST NEW MUSIC: Mimic by Cold Blue Kid [+ Show ]
  

  Emotionally charged dream pop. That is what I would define Cold Blue Kid’s, Mimic, as being. It’s ve...Emotionally charged dream pop. That is what I would define Cold Blue Kid’s, Mimic, as being. It’s very atmospheric and vivid. Each song radiates a glimmer that is absolutely mesmerizing. A treat echoing from the streets of Chicago.

• CBN Gets Down: Cold Blue Kid [+ Show ]
  

  "Just in time for this un-expected heat wave we’re having, CBN got a dope dose of summer rather earl..."Just in time for this un-expected heat wave we’re having, CBN got a dope dose of summer rather early when the five-piece band, Cold Blue Kid, reached out to us to give their new EP titled, “Mimic,” a listen. And I have to say, on first listen, “Mimic” had me head bobbin’. This EP takes each listener on an atmospheric wave ride above the clouds."

• Cold Blue Kid – Mimic REVIEW [+ Show ]
  

  "Cold Blue Kid...have proven that they have enough music, source material, and creative inspiration ..."Cold Blue Kid...have proven that they have enough music, source material, and creative inspiration to make a significant mark on our sonic landscape. / "Cold Blue Kid have a whole lot to offer the indie music world, and it should only get better from here. Keep your ears open for this group.

• Artist Profile: Cold Blue Kid [+ Show ]
  

  Their music, which they would place on a playlist with Midlake, Emmylou Harris, Talking Heads, Bob D...Their music, which they would place on a playlist with Midlake, Emmylou Harris, Talking Heads, Bob Dylan, and the National, is a collaborative indie rock that is really the sum of its parts. Longoria would compare it to paint-by-numbers; he writes songs on guitar and introduces them to the rest of the group to add their own parts and ideas.

• COLD BLUE KID – MIMIC REVIEW [+ Show ]
  

  Cold Blue Kid is a unique creation of frontman/guitarist Alex Longoria and their songs range from el...Cold Blue Kid is a unique creation of frontman/guitarist Alex Longoria and their songs range from electronic synth pop to rock to summery love songs. All around, the EP is a stunning DIY effort considering the variety of sounds and instruments.

• Cold Blue Kid Finish Work on New EP [+ Show ]
  

  Now that we have gotten our dirty mitts on the whole EP we can tell you that it’s the perfect way to...Now that we have gotten our dirty mitts on the whole EP we can tell you that it’s the perfect way to kick off 2012 for fans of dreamy synthesizers and guitar work that makes you melt in your desk chair. Other than the two aforementioned songs, Mimic includes four other tracks all of which I wouldn’t be surprised to hear on my BSS or The Cure Pandora stations. Of the two middle tracks on the EP, “Setback” offers a pulsing tempo under a simple yet elegant melody while the title track propels the pace of the record, driven by a vigorous display of drumming.
  
  The official release for the new EP is set for February 12, 2012, but until then you can check out a live video of “Violent Affair” below and head over to their Facebook page to hear “Maybe Town” while you lick your lips in anticipation of Mimic

• Cold Blue Kid @ Beat Kitchen [+ Show ]
  

  Over the last year Cold Blue Kid has transformed from the solo thoughts and tunes of Alex Longoria i...Over the last year Cold Blue Kid has transformed from the solo thoughts and tunes of Alex Longoria into full-bodied musical exploration of this six-piece band. The group played their first show back in March 2011 and began working the follow up to Alex's debut album back in November. The result is a 6-track ep that is a force in melodic guitar rock.

• Fresh Track: Cold Blue Kid “Maybe Town” [+ Show ]
  

  Cold Blue Kid is a project worth keeping an eye on. Their sound has the depth to fill a large ballro...Cold Blue Kid is a project worth keeping an eye on. Their sound has the depth to fill a large ballroom and the intimacy to rock a campfire.

• Conoce a Cold Blue Kid; escucha y descarga [+ Show ]
  

  En este 2012 la banda ya mostró su segunda entrega y se trata precisamente de su nuevo Mimic EP lanz...En este 2012 la banda ya mostró su segunda entrega y se trata precisamente de su nuevo Mimic EP lanzado el pasado 12 de febrero y compuesto por seis canciones que siguen en la misma línea sonora, añadiéndose un poco de distorsiones y un sonido más shoegaze entre ecos y sombras.

• Album Reviews: Cold Blue Kid – Mimic [+ Show ]
  

  Cold Blue Kid does a pretty good job at emulating a sound that has been long gone from what’s consid...Cold Blue Kid does a pretty good job at emulating a sound that has been long gone from what’s considered “fresh” to the radio.

• COLD BLUE KID - MIMIC [+ Show ]
  

  Unlike most tunes lately, “Mimic” does not force itself on you interest-wise. Starting off with a “... Unlike most tunes lately, “Mimic” does not force itself on you interest-wise. Starting off with a “The Smiths/We Are Scientists-like” strum. A smart progression to the gentle vocals of front-man Alex Longoria.

• REVIEW: Cold Blue Kid - Mimic [+ Show ]
  

  This cohesiveness helps the record tremendously as a whole. It seems as if each of the chilled out t...This cohesiveness helps the record tremendously as a whole. It seems as if each of the chilled out tracks features very strong guitar work surfaced with floating synths, a simple bassline, and piloted by impressive percussion. This is certainly headphone music yet songs like "Maybetown" could certainly impress a crowd with a diverse musical taste.

• Metropia showcases Chicago music, art
  

  Cold Blue Kid is scheduled to perform at the Metropia Experience.

• good (night) songs from Cold Blue Kid [+ Show ]
  

  Speaking of Canadians, I was somehow brought to Broken Social Scene senses tonight thanks to this go...Speaking of Canadians, I was somehow brought to Broken Social Scene senses tonight thanks to this good discovery from Chicago: Cold Blue Kid

• Cold Blue Kid, Mimic (Review) [+ Show ]
  

  "one thing is for sure, and is that they do really awesome music that probably, will make your day o..."one thing is for sure, and is that they do really awesome music that probably, will make your day one way or another."

• Chicago's Cold Blue Kid [+ Show ]
  

  Chicago's Cold Blue Kid features shimmering hooks, fuzzy arrangements and hazy vocals that all help ...Chicago's Cold Blue Kid features shimmering hooks, fuzzy arrangements and hazy vocals that all help disguise what is in essence relatively generic but otherwise unobjectionable indie rock.

• Cover Story: Wiles Tunes Exclusive - A Declaration of Independents! [+ Show ]
  

  This month, Wiles Magazine is paying tribute to artists, professionals and every day people who have...This month, Wiles Magazine is paying tribute to artists, professionals and every day people who have made it a priority to stay true to their independent spirit in everything that they do!
  
  In keeping with that theme, we’re proud to salute some of the world’s top indie musicians, rappers, singers and songwriters for their individuality, creativity, and commitment to their craft. Through extensive research, we’ve identified talent we consider some of the leading indie artists who should be in your playlist this summer. We’re proud to present this diverse list of voices from all over the world whose substantive music truly speaks to the soundtrack of our lives, passions and concerns of us all.

• Artist Profile: Cold Blue Kid [+ Show ]
  

  Longoria would compare it to paint-by-numbers; he writes songs on guitar and introduces them to the ...Longoria would compare it to paint-by-numbers; he writes songs on guitar and introduces them to the rest of the group to add their own parts and ideas. Finishing up a residency this month at Lincoln Park’s Ace Bar, Cold Blue Kid is shifting their focus towards a follow up EP to their February release, Mimic, and then taking their show on the road – they have quite the following in eastern Europe. But until then, they took some time to talk to us about favorites and first CDs in the back of their van.
  

• "“Feature Performance: Cold Blue Kid over Airplay :: WNUR 89.3 FM (Chicago)”" [+ Show ]
  

  Singer/songwriter Alex Longoria took a year in his study in a tiny Chicago apartment to write and re...Singer/songwriter Alex Longoria took a year in his study in a tiny Chicago apartment to write and record ten songs about life. Later joining forces with five like-minded musicians resulted in an ever-expanding song book of reflective, affirming, good-timin' music.

• Cold Blue Kid @ Fearless Radio, January 24, 2012 [+ Show ]
  

  Fearless Radio had Cold Blue Kid in the studio on January 24, 2012 to discuss their pre-show rituals...Fearless Radio had Cold Blue Kid in the studio on January 24, 2012 to discuss their pre-show rituals, their upcoming EP, their dream interviews, and more.

• Pick Your Poison: Monday 3-19-12 [+ Show ]
  

  Okay, let’s talk about today’s Pick Your Poison. I’ll recommend tracks from Andrew Johnston, Black T...Okay, let’s talk about today’s Pick Your Poison. I’ll recommend tracks from Andrew Johnston, Black Twig, Breton, Cold Blue Kid,

Setlist

Basic Requirements

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