For the sultry duo, headlining an extensive summer tour can become a haze, a series of repetitive motions: drive, play, eat, sleep, repeat. But that’s not to say it’s anywhere near mundane.
“Its hard to remember what happens [on tour],” guitarist Steven Dies says over the phone from Philadelphia. “Until we’re starting to have a conversation and we’re like, ‘Is that a dream or did that really happen?’” his fiancée and lead singer Paige Wood adds.
One of those events that seemed too good to be true was opening for Cyndi Lauper, which Peach Kings got to do on 13 dates before heading out on its own tour in early July. The duo will reunite with Miami garage rockers Deaf Poets for an upcoming set at Gramps.
The first time the bands played together was earlier this year in Birmingham, where Wood remembers shaking with energy backstage. “When it comes to seeing a live show, you want it to be like a good record," Dies says. “You want every song to be good.”
Peach Kings’ own personal vibe may not be quite as loud, but it is every bit as creative. The two are deeply influenced by cult classic films directed by filmmakers like David Lynch and Quentin Tarantino. “We watch a lot of movies and pay close attention to soundtracks, and Paige has always been a really visual person,” Dies explains.
Before moving to Los Angeles, Wood lived in New York City, where she dabbled with set design, fashion, and modeling. To Wood, her visual inclination naturally translated into her music.
“It’s really easy to get into a movie and bring that inspiration into the studio,” Wood says. “The images are just in your brain, so sometimes it feels like you’re writing a soundtrack for a Tarantino film.”
After a short debate, the couple agrees that From Dusk till Dawn takes the cake as their favorite Tarantino soundtrack.
Peach Kings' own song, “Thieves and Kings,” has been featured on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and Showtime’s Shameless. “The sort of shows on TV now… they kind of gravitate more toward that rock stuff that’s a little
More often, Peach Kings compose their music with a specific image in mind. Dies describes the process:
“Keep doing that, Paige. Keep playing that,” he says. “I’m imagining some badass chick kicking down a door right now.”
With three EPs under its belt, the band is eager to produce more, planning to self-release and tour a new record that is slated for release either this winter or early next year. “We want this new stuff to kind of excite people and [make them] say, ‘I wanna see this
Peach Kings with Deaf Poets and Peyote Coyote. 8 p.m. Monday, August 8, at Gramps, 176 NW 24th St., Miami; 305-699-2669; gramps.com. Admission costs $5.
Peach Kings. 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, at Radio-Active Records, 845 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-762-9488; radio-active-records.tumblr.com. Admission is free.
