Kitten is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 2009. It is fronted by vocalist Chloe Chaidez, who founded the band and has been its sole consistent member since its inception. The band is currently based in Los Angeles. Its current members, in addition to Chaidez, are guitarists Dave Stagno and Parker Silzer IV, and keyboardist Max Tsiring.
Kitten had previously been signed to Warner Music Group labels Atlantic and Elektra Records. Since 2018, their music has been distributed through Sony Music divisions including RED Music, Another Century, and The Orchard. Their debut album Kitten was released in 2014 through Elektra. They have also released six extended plays: Sunday School (2010), Cut It Out (2012), Like a Stranger (2013), Heaven or Somewhere in Between (2016), Pink Champagne (2018), and Goodbye Honeymoon Phase (2019). Their second studio album is scheduled for release in 2021.
Kitten are known for their 80s-inspired sound and energetic live shows.
History
2009–12: Formation, Sunday School & Cut It Out
Kitten was formed in 2009. Front woman Chloe Chaidez formed the band after meeting producer Chad Anderson, with whom she developed a professional relationship. Anderson would become the manager of Kitten, and contribute as a producer and songwriter for the band. Kitten's first guitarist, Max Ratzky, introduced Chaidez to the other musicians who would join Kitten's original line-up. These fellow founding members were drummer Max Kuehn, keyboardist Elvis Kuehn, and guitarist Andy Miller. Ratzky left Kitten in 2009; prior to the release of their debut extended play, which the band had begun working on that year.
In 2010, Kitten were signed to Atlantic Records, and bassist Zac Carper joined the band. Various demos were shared by the band in the lead-up to their upcoming EP, such as "We Did It Anyway", "Don't Kill the Light", and "Johnny Johnny Johnny". The final version of "Don't Kill the Light", renamed "Kill the Light", was shared as a free download in March 2010. Kitten's debut extended play, Sunday School, was released in October 2010. The following November, the track "Kill the Light" was released as a single on 7" vinyl.
In December 2010, Kitten began working on a planned full-length album. By early 2011, they had recruited bassist Chris Vogel as a new band member. The band ultimately decided to release five of their new songs as an extended play; planning to combine EP tracks and other new material into an album later on.
Kitten recorded a cover of "Panic" by The Smiths in 2011, which they contributed to the tribute album Please Please Please: A Tribute to The Smiths.
To promote their upcoming EP, the band released two singles in 2012: the double single "Cut It Out" / "Sugar" in May, and "Japanese Eyes" in July. The EP, titled Cut It Out, was released on August 28, 2012 through Atlantic Records. Chaidez described its sound as being more electronic, while still containing the "rock element" of their previous EP. The new sound was the result of Chaidez experimenting with electronic music production using Ableton, and the influence of 80s new wave music.
Following the release of Cut It Out, Kitten went through major lineup changes. Band members Max Kuehn, Elvis Kuehn, and Zac Carper left Kitten to focus on their other band, FIDLAR. Later in 2012, Kitten recruited three new members—drummer Lukas Frank, keyboardist Bryan DeLeon, and guitarist Waylon Rector—and Andy Miller and Chris Vogel left the band. By early 2013, Kitten had also gained a new bassist, Zach Bilson.
2013–15: Like a Stranger, MXTP & Kitten
In February 2013, Kitten shared a new song titled "Yesterday (What's Love)". The following August, they shared the track "Like a Stranger" to promote their upcoming extended play of the same name. They revealed at the same time that their debut album was scheduled for 2014. The Like a Stranger EP was released on August 27, 2013 through Elektra Records.
Later in 2013, following the release of Like a Stranger, band members Waylon Rector, Lukas Frank, Zach Bilson, and Bryan DeLeon chose to leave Kitten. In February 2014, Rector, Bilson, and DeLeon rejoined the band, joining Chaidez on tour supporting The Neighbourhood.