Kill Rock Stars 30th anniversary celebrations

Kill Rock Stars is celebrating thirty years throughout 2021, kicking things off with a subscription-based covers series.

Fans who subscribe will receive 30+ covers throughout the year, starting with Mary Lou Lord and Mikaela Davis performing "Song Song," originally by Elliott Smith. Additional artists will include Mike Watt and The Black Gang, Fruit Bats, Califone, Eyelids, and more.

Speaking of the song selection, Lord says:

I first heard "Some Song" among the many early Elliott songs. I am from Salem, MA, and Halloween has always been a big deal in my hometown. I chose "Some Song" because it’s so haunting, and also very human. I love this song because it’s slow-burning and very intense, and I think it describes a certain human condition of madness and normal. A mask, but one that can be removed or put on at any given time.

Davis adds to the discussion:

When Mary Lou asked my band to record a song with her, we were so excited, since we’ve all been massive Elliott Smith and Mary Lou Lord fans for over a decade. I first heard the Needle In The Hay 7” version of "Some Song" from 1995 where Elliott says, “Hello, hello, hello. This is a rock song. Loud, loud, loud” before starting. What a cheeky thing to say before delivering a song that is solo acoustic guitar and vocals, I thought. We decided to reference the alternate electric version released on the deluxe edition of XO in 2019... seems like that’s what Elliott originally intended for the song.