Kevin Rumley shouldn’t be alive. On April 7th 2004, whilst serving in the Marines on the Syrian border, Kevin Rumley was hit by an improvised explosive device, taking the lives of his closest friends, and nearly his own. Whilst using music as a tool for healing, Kevin honours this momentous date and his subsequent recovery journey with the release of his debut EP ‘VI’ on 7th April, 20 years on. As a drummer in a number of North Carolina outfits, this psychedelic, indie-rock release is a pivotal moment in Kevin Rumley’s solo musical journey. 

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About VI 

With each of the six tracks on ‘VI’, Kevin Rumley invites you to join him on a cathartic exploration of triumph over tragedy, weaving together elements of indie-rock, folk, and orchestral choirs to create a sound uniquely his own. From the airy rock opener ‘Turn The Lights’ to the spacious concluding song ‘For Clifford,’ Kevin’s EP takes you on an emotionally charged journey through his sonic worlds.

Kevin doesn’t produce songs, he produces musical snapshots of feelings. These feelings manifest themselves in the luscious sonic landscapes of Kevin’s work, and this EP is the first glimpse into Kevin’s internal music universe. After being gifted a mellotron by Drop Of Sun’s studio owner, Adam McDaniel, Kevin’s sound was transported to a new realm. Boldly fusing classic, acoustic instrumentation with sweeping synths and engrossing textures, Kevin’s life story is weaved into the tapestry of ‘VI’. Speaking on the EP, Kevin says, “My life, at the time, was in a state of great motion and change. But, VI was my reflective space.  My attempt at making sense of life and love and loss. I partnered with many local musicians, my absolute heroes, to have these melodic “feelings” released. I don’t call them songs, so much as “feelings or emotional landscapes”. I had around 200 recordings, these are just the six that I chose to release for their cohesive energy.”

Releasing his debut EP, ‘VI’, is a pivotal moment for the veteran. Kevin Rumley shares, “It is my proudest achievement. I’m proud to be in recovery and to have received my Doctorate in Social Work… to have survived being blown up, homelessness and loss. But my greatest joy is releasing music. Wild! I just can’t believe it, and I’m so proud to have the opportunity.” 

About Kevin Rumley

Based in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, Kevin Rumley has been making music his whole life. Kevin started out recording songs with his brother and lifelong collaborator. Their psychedelic rock outfit, Her Marigold, has been producing their signature cathartic, expansive sound since middle school. As a drummer, Kevin works with artists all over North Carolina, including Band of Horses’ own Tyler Ramsey, Bandazian, Wildebeest, and Electric Owls. Citing influences in the likes of indie rock’s Panda Bear, Phosphorescent, and his brother, Matt Rumley, Kevin’s uniquely psychedelic sound is a testament to his years of collaboration, experimentation, and performing. 

Kevin Rumley unites his musical exploration with his work as a veteran counsellor and mentor. Utilising his lived experience, Kevin Rumley has set out to help those struggling with rehabilitating from the forces, bringing his connection with musical healing with him. Citing music as the foundation of his community,  Kevin’s artistry has helped him to connect to others throughout his recovery journey. Kevin Rumley says, “Music is everything. Seldom has music not been the connecting fabric between myself and veterans.  Music can instantly calm the nervous system and allow for ventral vagal grounding.  Music allows humans who are traumatised to access their neofrontal cortex. Music therapy is an evidence-based modality. My music making it into the VA Hospitals Ketamine Therapy playlist for PTSD is one of my greatest honours.”  

Tracklist: 

1. Turn The Lights 

2. Never Be Alone 

3. Ohiopyle (Focus Track) 

4. Poverty (not in spite of our wealth but because of it) 

5. TEAMS 

6. For Clifford 

Collaborators: 

Joshua Carpenter - Bass 

David McCinnes - Pedal Steel / Guitar 

Julie Odell - Backing Vocals 

Ivy Eld - Backing Vocals 

Adam McDaniel - Producer  

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