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MORE DRAG QUEENS
LESS DRAMA QUEENS
NEW ALBUM
OUT OCTOBER 6, 2023
'HANGING OUT IN STARS' IS THE PROMOTIONAL SINGLE OF THE ALBUM
STREAM THE ALBUM ON SOUNDCLOUD:
ARTIST: DKANDLE
TITLE OF RELEASE: MORE DRAG QUEENS LESS DRAMA QUEENS (ALBUM)
DATE OF RELEASE: OCTOBER 6, 2023
GENRE: POST-SHOEGAZE
LOCATION: FLORENCE, ITALY
HOMETOWN: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
BIO
Denis Kandle, a musician hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, embarked on his musical journey in 1994 as the vocalist of the band Pregnant Felix, alongside guitarist Marcelo Vasco (currently in Troops Of Doom), bassist Fabio Pires (currently in Helga), and drummer Duda. Over the years, Denis's passion for music led him to various ventures, including producing Projeto Bandas, a notable weekly event that showcased bands from Rio and other states, and opening for the renowned New Yorker band Shelter with his band N.O.P.E in 1998 in Rio.
In 2001, Denis had the honor of deejaying at the Eletro Tent of Rock In Rio III Festival, sharing the stage with iconic acts such as Ferry Corsten. He further solidified his presence in the music scene by becoming the resident DJ of Electrolounge at Bunker 94 in Rio from 2005 to 2006.
Driven by his passion for electronic music, Denis embarked on a new musical direction, forming two personal projects, Colortronic and Aliencore. However, it was in 2020 that, now living in Tuscany, Italy, he truly came into his own under the moniker DKANDLE, crafting a captivating fusion of shoegaze, grunge and post-punk.
DKANDLE's musical experimentation has been met with resounding enjoyment. With four singles already released, including the debut 'Flame', which earned a spot on 'Aspirin Age: Volume Two (A Shoegaze Compilation)' by Broken Sound Tapes, DKANDLE's debut album, Mondano, arrived in September 2022, enchanting listeners with its evocative soundscapes.
Continuing their creative journey, DKANDLE - now a band formed by Denis Kandle (vocal, guitar, programming) and Fernando Menezes (bass, backing vocal) - are poised to captivate audiences once again with the release on October 6, 2023 of the highly anticipated second album, More Drag Queens Less Drama Queens. Leading up to the album's release, DKANDLE dropped on July 14th, 2023 the single 'Hanging Out In Stars' - which had a world premiere on DKFM Radio - offering a tantalizing glimpse into their sonic exploration and artistic evolution.
CLICK HERE to read more about Denis Kandle's bio and musical journey
PRESS RELEASE
DKANDLE RELEASES SECOND ALBUM
'MORE DRAG QUEENS LESS DRAMA QUEENS'
ON OCTOBER 6, 2023
The tracks 'Hanging Out In Stars' and 'Amber Sun'
had an exclusive world premiere on DKFM Radio
Florence, Italy - September 20th, 2023 - DKANDLE, the visionary band blending the captivating elements of shoegaze, grunge and post-punk, are proud to announce the release of the highly-anticipated second album, More Drag Queens Less Drama Queens, on October 6th, 2023.
The album title carries a powerful political slant, reflecting DKANDLE's reaction to the current wave of demonization against drag queens and the LGBT community. Inspired by recent bans on drag queen shows in some US states, the revocation of LGBT rights in Italy by Ministry Giorgia Meloni, the tragic death penalty against LGBTs in Uganda, and the recent attempt to reverse same-sex marriage in Brazil, DKANDLE's latest work aims to spread a message of resilience against rising neo-fascism worldwide.
Mastered by Kenneth Estrada (Berlin Shoegazer) on a Type II cassette - which renders the sound warmer and more organic - and with cover art by Matheus Quinan, the album was meticulously produced in Denis Kandle's home studio nestled in the hills of Tuscany, Italy. Embracing his signature haunting melodies, wall-of-sound guitar textures, and reflective lyricism, Denis Kandle crafts sonic landscapes that truly immerse the listener in his artistic vision.
The journey to the album's release began with the tantalizing single 'Hanging Out In Stars' on July 14th. It sets the tone for the immersive experience that awaits fans when the full album drops.
The tracks 'Hanging Out In Stars' and 'Amber Sun', which will be featured on the album, had an exclusive world premiere on DKFM Radio, providing a glimpse of the album's dreamlike haze of ethereal guitars, pulsating rhythms, and introspective vocals.
Join DKANDLE on this compelling musical chapter, as they invite music enthusiasts worldwide to embark on a journey through the lush sonic tapestry of More Drag Queens Less Drama Queens. With its resonating message and captivating soundscapes, the album promises an unforgettable and enchanting musical experience.
Catherine Gillette, WL//WH
(USA)
"DKANDLE weaves swirling multi-colored vibrant unearthly soundscapes, blending fuzzy and reverberating Shoegaze textures, mesmerizing Dream Pop meditations, sludgy Grungey tones and moody Post-punk strains, heightened with soul-stirring lyricism and pensive emotive vocalizations.
Benedict Watson, RGM (UK)
"'Hanging Out In Stars" starts promisingly, with beautiful ethereal sounds leading into classic shoegaze guitars. It certainly shows the promise of DKANDLE in creating a thick and interesting sound.
André Costa, Rádio Cult FM (Brazil)
“The band has a dirty sound, in a good way, which is lacking in many rock bands today. The track Hanging Out In Stars is heavy, but also brings interesting psychedelic passages and stands out for that.
Who forms the band lineup?
DKANDLE started as a solo project, and is currently a band formed by me, Denis Kandle, and bassist Fernando Menezes.
Which instruments do you handle?
I play guitar and also sing on all songs. About the drums parts, I arrange them with music software like Ableton Live and Logic Pro.
Who or what artists have had a profound impact on your music?
I am mostly influenced by Nirvana, My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails, Dead Can Dance and SPC ECO, as well as many other artists.
What narrative lies behind the album's creation?
Most of the songs of the album were born in Amsterdam, around the New Year's Eve of 2023. During my trip, I visited Anne Frank's house, which had a profound impact on me. I wrote the album in the midst of that impressed mind state. I later developed, recorded and mixed the songs in my home studio in Tuscany. The production was over by the end of June.
What elements or experiences contributed to shaping its musical direction?
I think I'm headed now to a more dreampop direction that in Mondano, my first album, which had a more grungegaze touch than More Drag Queens Less Drama Queens does, although there are some pretty grungy tracks on the new album too.
What future endeavors or projects can we anticipate from the band?
I am planning to travel to Brazil and play at least one gig with band as the launching show of the album. I will then return to Italy to organize a tour in Europe to promote the album in 2024. I also intend to find a good record label to help me spread my music to the world.
PREVIOUS SINGLES
WHERE DKANDLE HAS BEEN AIRED:
Internova Radio (Brazil)
EarDrum Buzz Radio (USA)
Big Sonic Heaven Radio (USA)
Heatwave! (Brazil)
DKFM (USA)
Mutante Radio (Brazil)
Fuzzed Up Radio Show (Ireland)
Your First Listen, Ken's FM (USA)
Fallout Radio Mixtape (USA)
Fuzzed Out Mix (USA)
Comfy Show, Woking Radio (UK)