The American Deep South has long been a hotbed for music that delves into the dark and eerie. From the haunting blues of Robert Johnson to the twisted tales of Tom Waits, the region has been a source of inspiration for artists looking to tap into its swampy, gothic vibes. But it takes a special kind of talent to truly capture the essence of the Deep South and its haunting allure. Enter The Curse of K.K. Hammond, a slide guitarist and singer-songwriter whose debut album, “Death Roll Blues,” is a deep dive into the dimmest depths of the swamp.
Drawing influences from the Delta Blues players of the 1930s, the roots music of Appalachia, and the Southern gothic horror genre, K.K. has crafted a unique sound that has garnered critical acclaim and airplay on blues radio shows around the world. Her music has even caught the attention of heavy metal giants Metallica, who shared a video of K.K. playing a slide guitar cover of “Nothing Else Matters” on their official TikTok account, describing it as “incredible.”
With her signature resonator guitars, K.K. takes listeners on a journey through the isolated swamps and dark forests of the American South. Her lyrics paint vivid pictures of characters and stories, influenced by her love for historical folk music and murder ballads. But it’s not just about the music for K.K.; she has a passion for storytelling, delivering her songs in a way that captivates and immerses listeners into the world she creates.
Her debut album, “Death Roll Blues,” is a concept album that explores the topic of death in a dark and morose yet playful and tongue-in-cheek manner. The album opens with the title track, which sets the mood with eerie sound effects and lyrics that embrace the inevitability of death and the comfort of knowing we are never truly alone in our dark thoughts and feelings.
But the album quickly shifts tones with the second track, “What’s the Weatherman Done?” which tells the story of a troubled couple and the destructive actions of the male character, who is referred to as the “weatherman.” The lyrics draw a metaphor between the female character’s emotions and the raging storm outside, leaving the listener to ponder what the weatherman has actually done to her.
“Anhedonia,” the third track on the album, delves deeper into the sorrow and pain of the world today, with lyrics that touch on issues like climate change, capitalism, and corrupt politicians. This is followed by the lively and upbeat “Mister Apology,” a story of a real-life character named Allen Bridge who ran an answering machine for anonymous confessions and ended up being killed by a jet ski. But in true Southern gothic fashion, the story takes a darker twist as the track assumes the perspective of shady characters confessing their wrongdoings to Mr. Apology.
The album also features tracks like “The Bone Collector,” a tale of a time-traveling magic man who sells enchanted human bones as an aphrodisiac, and “In The Dirty South,” which depicts the gritty and rough lifestyle of the region.
Released in March 2023, “Death Roll Blues” quickly climbed the charts, reaching the number one spot in the UK iTunes Blues chart and breaking into the top 20 of the mainstream iTunes charts. It also hit number seven on the US Billboard Blues Albums chart, solidifying K.K.’s status as a rising star in the blues genre.
K.K. Hammond’s “Death Roll Blues” is a haunting and captivating album that takes listeners on a journey through the dark and mysterious world of the Deep South. With her powerful vocals, masterful slide guitar skills, and storytelling ability, K.K. Hammond proves herself to be a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Keep an eye on this rising star, as she continues to mesmerize and enchant audiences with her unique sound and haunting tales.
