Kevin Kinsella

Last updated
Kevin Kinsella
Born1972 (age 5152)
Origin Ithaca, New York
Genres Reggae
Roots Reggae
Americana
Instrument(s) Acoustic guitar
Electric guitar
Years active1987–Present
LabelsI Town Records
ROIR
Shanachie Records
Website www.kevinkinsella.com

Kevin Kinsella is a reggae and roots rock musician who has participated in 28 studio albums since 1987. He is a founding member of John Brown's Body [1] and 10 Foot Ganja Plant. He lives in Ithaca, New York. He has been noted as one of the pioneers of the American reggae scene [2] and has been called "Father of East Coast Reggae". [3]

Contents

History

In 1987 Kevin Kinsella founded the band Tribulations when he was just 15 years old in Ithaca, NY. [4] Kevin and his childhood friend Josh Newman headed the band. [5] The band gained regional notoriety in the northeast and opened for Toots and the Maytals. [6]

In 1995 Kevin Kinsella founded the reggae band John Brown's Body [4] During this time period Kevin released their first album "All Time" (1996) on Kevin's label I Town Records. [7] They also recorded "Among Them" (1998), This Day (2000), and "Spirits All Around Us (2002). [7]

Kevin Kinsella also released two acoustic styled albums as solo releases "I-Town Revival" (2000) and "Firestick (2002). [7]

In 2006 Kevin Kinsella left John Brown's Body on good terms to pursue his solo career and to continue to record with 10 Ft. Ganja Plant. [7]

In 2011 Kevin released his 3rd solo album titled "Great Design, [8] followed by "Riding Higher Still" in 2014. [9]

In 2015 Kevin played a string of dates with Matisyahu with Matiyahu's band Dub Trio as his backing band. [10]

In 2017 Kevin helped organize and curate the talent for the inaugural Ithaca Reggae Festival at Stewart Park in Ithaca, New York. [11]

Musical Influences

Some of Kevin Kinsella's influences include The Meditations and The Gladiators. [4] In 2018 Kevin Kinsella played with his idol Clinton Fearon at the Ithaca Reggae Festival in Ithaca, NY. [12]

Discography

Collaborations

Solo

10 Ft. Ganja Plant

John Brown's Body

Tribulations

Other activities

Kevin Kinsella founded in 1983 Avalon Ventures, but not this Kevin Kinsella.

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References

  1. Ankeny, Jason. "Biography: John Brown's Body". Allmusic . Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  2. "Dancing In The Yard of The Creator – A Retrospective on Kevin Kinsella". Rootfire. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
  3. "Dustin Thomas on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  4. 1 2 3 Knight, Brian. "New England Island Rhythms: An Interview with Kevin Kinsella of John Brown's Body". The Vermont Review.
  5. Pettrone, Steven. "John Brown's Body: An American Reggae Band Digging Roots in Farm Country". THE DREAD LIBRARY.
  6. Bass, Marco On The (2012-09-07). "Marco On The Bass: The Tribulations - 80's Reggae Band From Ithaca, NY Sow The Seeds Of John Brown's Body". Marco On The Bass. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Kevin Kinsella". Billboard.
  8. "Review - Kevin Kinsella : Great Design". www.reggae-vibes.com. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  9. "Video: Kevin Kinsella – Riding Higher Still « The Pier Magazine". www.thepier.org. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  10. WMSigEp (2015-07-20), Matisyahu & Kevin Kinsella -- The Jefferson -- 07/19/2015 , retrieved 2018-10-09
  11. "Reggae Fest: Kevin Kinsella Interview". blog.megsradio.fm. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  12. Kevin Kinsella & Clinton Fearon - "On The Other Side" Acoustic at the 2018 Ithaca Reggae Festival , retrieved 2018-07-25