VKB Band, also known as Vicki Kristina Barcelona, is a New York City based trio comprised of Rachelle Garniez, Amanda Homi and Kirsten Thien, three deeply distinctive musicians, all acclaimed performing singer-songwriters with a wealth of collective experience.
Together, they merge their individual brands of magic, bedazzling audiences with their unexpected yet always respectful renditions of the songs of Tom Waits.
VKB’s mesmerizing alchemy comes alive in a blend of glorious three-part harmony and carefully crafted musical arrangements. The group utilizes a most unusual sonic palette, including percussion from all corners of the globe, an array of squeezeboxes, and a collection of melodic acoustic guitars and banjo, throwing in the occasional bell and whistle for an added element of surprise.
Without compromising the ugly beauty of Waits’ characters and scenarios, his melodies and settings are restated in a feminine light, softer and sweeter perhaps, but nonetheless impactful.
Amanda Homi is what is known in show business as a triple threat; keeping the pulse of the music - whether she's playing drums, percussion, harmonium or strings - all the while delivering a mind-bending blend of virtuosic vocalizing and charming theatricality.
Rachelle Garniez is a multi-instrumentalist and musical colorist, her voice and fearless approach to utilizing sounds channel emotions ranging from the delicate to the crude, touching on pathos, irony and rage, all the while maintaining a sense of mischief throughout the show.
Kirsten Thien's authentic sound draws from the depths of old-school American soul and the driving power of blues, gospel and rock-n-roll. Her clear and powerful voice stands out in its power and honesty. Her confidence and integrity firmly grounds the group's sound in the rich traditions of American Roots music.
VKB’s concerts have the added attraction of featuring one original song from each member of the group, performed solo. This serves to introduce and highlight their widely diverse origins and influences, making their collaboration all the more impressive and meaningful.
The three are intrepid treasure-seekers, plumbing the depths of the Waits catalog, exploring the shipwrecked universe of his story-songs, from the savage to the sentimental.
Genre-fluid native New Yorker Rachelle Garniez is known as a certified free spirit. She is at home in many worlds, from busking to theater stages all over the world. Rachelle has released 6 albums; her influences ranging from Tin Pan Alley to klezmer and Latinesque Soul. Her story songs have been described as "romantic, rhapsodic and casually hilarious." (The New York Times)
Globe trotting adventuress Amanda Homi was born in London. Her colorful songs reflect the music of her travels from Carnival in Rio to the rhythms of Bollywood and raucous Gypsy weddings. She was the 2015 Independent Music Awards best story song recipient. "Amanda Homi covers a lot of musical territory in a masterful, yet adventurous way...an enchanting journey" ( Roots Music Report )
Kirsten Thien's unlikely path from a Georgetown University Business School graduate to a Blues and Roots Rock singer/songwriter/guitarist began just weeks before college graduation when she decided to forgo career on Wall Street for a life in music. Since then she has released five albums and toured extensively in the USA and Europe. Says Downbeat Magazine, “Kirsten Thien’s stock in trade is modern blues infused with soul and rock. She’s a lithe, composed vocalist, inclined to use her attractive voice to elevate rather than plumb lyrics in songs she’s written about sensual love.”
