k.s. Rhoads Delves Into Our Increasing Polarization in ‘Chess,’ the Stunning First Single From His Third Studio Album
“Are you the bullet or are you the bird?” asks Nashville-based songwriter, composer, and producer k.s. Rhoads on “Chess,” the first track from his forthcoming album,
When You Close Your Eyes, Do You See a White Jesus?
The song ruminates on the impasse of truth and politics in our modern era, and Rhoads weaves that message into a hypnotic, singular coalescence of orchestra, percussion, vintage keys, and layered vocals.
The video for the song, directed by Sophia Lauer (
Nashville
,
Human
), is a Christopher Nolan-esque portrayal of a young boy trying to escape a simulation. Lauer has created a visual re-telling of "Chess" that explores the songs lyrical themes of brainwashing and conflicting reality. The video asks us, "are we the chess players, or the chess pieces?" The surreal video premiered in April with
American Songwriter
.
It’s a fitting opening to an album that’s deeply personal, political, and spiritual, journeying through ten songs of profound imagination. With
When You Close Your Eyes, Do You See a White Jesus?
, Rhoads has crafted a transcendent masterpiece that’s artful and futuristic, yet classic. The album is set for a September 25 release.
In addition to releasing two critically-acclaimed records, 2007’s
Dead Language
and
The Wilderness
in 2013, Rhoads’ songs have been featured in over 100 television shows, movie trailers, and commercials including Apple, Coca-Cola, ABC’s
Grey’s Anatomy
, Netflix’s
The Little Prince
, and ABC’s
Nashville
.
Rhoads has written, produced, and played for an array of artists including Miranda Lambert, Lisa Loeb, Kris Allen, Kacey Musgraves & Natalie Hemby of The Highwomen. As a composer, he has written orchestral music for the Nashville Symphony and the Nashville Ballet, scored the animated series
Paranormal Action Squad
,
and arranged strings for numerous pop/country/Americana artists including Little Big Town and Ashley Monroe. He serves as bandleader for the Nashville artist/songwriter collective Ten Out Of Tenn, and is highly regarded as one of the pioneers of Nashville’s burgeoning non-country music scene.
Follow
k.s. Rhoads
For Media Inquiries:
April Dickey & Dawn Kamerling
The Press House
april@thepresshouse.com
