Lawrence Kim has been a fixture in other people’s bands for years, a guitarist for BMX Bandits, Scam Avenue, The Amber Smith, and touring guitarist for Ryn Weaver. ‘The Hours and the Times,’ his debut solo album, arrives May 15, and it sounds like someone who’s been waiting for exactly the right moment to say something on his own terms. New single “Rodeo,” featuring backing vocals from Emma Tricca and Rachel Cox (Oakley Hall), is out now with a video via Scummy Water Tower.
Kim wrote, produced, arranged, played, and sang the bulk of the record himself, which fits the album’s central theme. “It’s an album about being alone, which isn’t necessarily the same thing as being lonely,” he says. But he didn’t do it in isolation. The guest list is stacked: drummer Kid Millions (Oneida, People of the North), pedal steel player Eoin Russell (Songs:Ohia), sax ace Stephen Chen (Ghost Funk Orchestra, San Fermin), multi-instrumentalist Peter Hess (Philip Glass Ensemble), singer-songwriter-filmmaker Alexandra Helgerson, and Vincent D’Onofrio collaborator Dana Lyn all contribute. The result is a solo record with genuine depth and range.
“Rodeo” arrives with a pointed thesis. Kim describes it as a song about someone who believes their own hype, chasing fame and glory while missing the substance underneath. “It’s also about the frustration of the artistic process,” he adds. The track lands with dry wit and melodic confidence, a strong early indicator of what the full album delivers.
Kim celebrates the release with a Brooklyn show at Mama Tried on May 17 at 4pm. ‘The Hours and the Times’ is available for pre-order on Bandcamp now.
‘The Hours and the Times’ Track Listing:
- New Jetsetter
- Sawyer
- Madeleine
- Rodeo (ft. Emma Tricca & Rachel Cox)
- Best Western
- Escape Artist (ft. Rachel Cox)
- Line and Key (ft. Kid Millions)
- Diver
- Go Lay Yourself Down Again
Upcoming Shows:
May 17, Brooklyn, NY @ Mama Tried, 4PM