Kristina Esfandiari
Kristina Esfandiari is a singer-songwriter & producer who writes music and performs under the monikers Dalmatian,[1] Miserable, NGHTCRWLR,[2] and with the bands King Woman and Sugar High.[3]
Kris Esfandiari | |
---|---|
Origin | U.S. |
Genres | Shoegaze, doom metal, R&B, rap, experimental noise |
Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, producer |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
Years active | 2009–present |
Labels | Relapse, The Native Sound, Sargent House, Dero Arcade |
Associated acts | Darcy Baylis, Elkk |
Early life
Esfandiari was raised in a "charismatic Christian church".[4][5] At 22, she moved to the Bay Area.[6]
Career
Kris is best known as the lead vocalist for the band King Woman. Esfandiari began King Woman as a solo project in 2009.[7] The project later became a band, after she was joined by her childhood friend, Joey Raygoza.[8][9]
Miserable is signed to Sargent House & King Woman and Miserable are managed by Cathy Pellow of Sargent House. In her early years, Esfandiari became well known for her heavy and dramatic vocals during live shows. Kris releases music under a multitude of personas: Miserable, KRIS, Dalmatian, Sugar High, and NGHTCRWLR.
She has managed to release a number of EPs[10] (Halloween Dream[11] and Dog Days), while Uncontrollable was her latest solo LP. Written and recorded over the course of a year, the LP is the most emotional release in her history as an artist. The album was released in April 2016 via The Native Sound[12][13][14][15] and quickly became a fan favourite and her breakthrough record,[16][17] according to most mainstream media. Pitchfork[18] and Spin[19] praised her work. She later toured extensively in the US.[20]
With King Woman
After their first successful EP release with The Flenser[21] in 2015,[22] King Woman signed to Relapse Records[23] and released their debut LP, Created in the Image of Suffering,[24] which was labelled by Pitchfork as one of the best rock albums of 2017.[25][26]
Discography
Dalmatian
Singles / EPs
- Pain Threshold (2019)
King Woman
Albums
Singles / EPs
- Degrida / Sick Bed (2013)
- Dove / Fond Affections (2014)
- Doubt EP (2015)
Miserable
Albums
- Uncontrollable (2016)
Singles / EPs
- Split with Grey Zine (2013)
- Halloween Dream EP (2014)
- Dog Days EP (2014)
- Loverboy EP (2018)
NGHTCRWLR
Albums
- Let the Children Scream (2020)
Sugar High
Albums
- Love Addict (2020)
References
- Jones, Cat. "HEAR DALMATIAN, THE TERRIFYING NEW RAP PROJECT FROM KING WOMAN'S KRIS ESFANDIARI". KERRANG. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- Moen, Matt. "Christian Brainwashing Videos Inspired NGHTCRWLR's Album". Paper Magazine. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- LeSuer, Mike. "PREMIERE: Sugar High Announce Debut LP "Love Addict," Share Single "Losing"". FLOOD.
- Mejia, Paula. "Metal Singer Kristina Esfandiari on Using Dark Sounds to Heal". Rolling Stone. Penske Business Media. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
- Reveron, Sean. "CVLT NATION INTERVIEWS KRISTINA ESFANDIARI". Cvlt Nation. Cvlt Nation. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
- Lefebvre, Sam. "King Woman Vanquishes the Holy Spirit". East Bay Express. East Bay Express. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
- Esfandiari, Kristina. "A Jonestown Survivor and King Woman's Kristina Esfandiari Discuss Healing from Trauma". Vice. Vice Media. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
- Ruskin, Zack (March 28, 2018). "Kristina Esfandiari's path to King Woman was a painful one". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- Reveron, Sean. "CVLT NATION INTERVIEWS KRISTINA ESFANDIARI". Cvlt Nation. Cvlt Nation. Retrieved 2018-07-26.
- Noblé, Summer (2015-04-27). "Darkness Disguised As Light: An Interview With King Woman". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "FIRST LISTEN: Miserable Halloween Dream EP". NYLON. 2014-02-18. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- Kelley, Quinn. "Miserable's Kristina Esfandiari on the relief of finishing her debut album". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "The Native Sound". The Native Sound. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "Miserable Finds Grace in the Profane on 'Uncontrollable' LP". SPIN. April 28, 2016.
- "Uncontrollable, by Miserable". Miserable. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "Miserable's Shoegazey "Violet" Will Destroy Your Heart". The FADER. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "9 Best Songs of the Week: Billboard.com Editors' Picks -- April 15". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ""Violet" by Miserable Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "Miserable's Kristina Esfandiari Makes Death Sound Like a Dream with "Oven"". Noisey. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "Miserable touring behind 'Uncontrollable' (dates, LP stream)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "King Woman – Doubt | The Flenser". theflenser.com. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- ""Burn" by King Woman Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "King Woman - Relapse Records". Relapse Records Official Website.
- "How Kristina Esfandiari Balances King Woman and Miserable". CLRVYNT. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "The Month in Metal: The Hopelessness of Slayer, King Woman, and Shaarimoth | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
- "King Woman: Created in the Image of Suffering Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2017-09-10.