Biography
Gold Shoes formed in 2009 in Cincinnati, OH when hip-hop artist Buggs Tha Rocka met lead vocalist Archie Niebuhr and drummer Tony Kuchma. After seeing a performance of Archie and Tony's previous band Madeline's Day Off, Buggs invited the two of them to work with him on a collaborative effort. Their first recording session together was productive and ultimately resulted in the first Gold Shoes song. After only two hours in the studio, the three recorded "Back & Forth" in just a few takes. Determined to pursue the project further, Buggs, Archie and Tony began reaching out to fellow musicians in the Cincinnati area in hopes of assembling a fuller band. Tony recruited Brian Kittrell and Kevin Johnson to join Gold Shoes on lead guitar and bass, respectively, while Archie invited former Last In Line band mate Mike Weigand to join the band on keyboard. With the full ensemble finally realized, Gold Shoes began writing material and playing live performances.
The various musical backgrounds and influences of all six members creates a collective sound that is hard to classify. Influenced by artists as varied as Wu Tang Clan, Modest Mouse & Maroon 5, their sound blurs the lines between genres which normally keep a certain crowd coming to a certain show. "When you go to a Gold Shoes show, we're gonna give you a little bit of everything" Niehbur explains. "There's hip-hop, there's a touch of jazz, rock, blues and even a little bit of grunge." Gold Shoes' fan base is just as diverse as the many sounds that collectively define their music. The band's unique instrumentation, organic conception and commanding stage presence have enabled them to play often and for many different styles of headlining acts. Gold Shoes has played in support of several well-known regional and national acts such as Wiz Khalifa, Wale, Big Sean, Kings Of Leon & The Black Keys. Owing to their connections to local music promoters, Gold Shoes has also taken the stage for sponsored events put on by entertainment and fashion groups such as Landor International and CityBeat.
Gold Shoes released their debut recording, the four-track Gold Shoes EP in the Fall of 2009. In December, 2010 Kittrell and the band mutually agreed to part ways. In early 2011, Brian was replaced by multi-instrumentalist Steven Shaefer (ex-Where They Landed, Young Heirlooms). Besides bringing a new effects-driven style of guitar playing, Shaefer also brought alto sax to the band's array of sound. Fueled by new material and a new sense of direction, the band began recording their first full-length album, the Gold Shoes LP, in April 2011. In October 2011, Gold Shoes released the first single from the Gold Shoes LP, "Trade Your Wings." That same month, the band produced a music video for that single, a first for the six members. The zombie-themed video, directed by the album's producer Dustin Chow, was released in late November.
As of the present, the Gold Shoes LP is in mastering and is slated for a late April 2012 release. The album release is scheduled to be followed by a selection of regional and national tour dates. Gold Shoes is currently an independent act but seeking major label representation.
©2012 Gold Shoes
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