Kevin Kinsella

Kevin Kinsella
Photo via folkins.net
Background information
OriginIthaca, NY
GenresReggae
Roots Reggae
Americana
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1987 - Present
LabelsI Town Records
ROIR
Shanachie Records
Associated actsJohn Brown's Body
10 Ft. Ganja Plant
Tribulations
Websitewww.kevinkinsellamusic.com

Bio

Kevin Kinsella is a reggae and roots rock musician who has participated in 28 studio albums since 1987. He is the founding member of John Brown's Body[1] and 10 Ft. Ganja Plant, he lives in Ithaca, New York. Kevin has been noted as one of the pioneers of the American reggae scene[2] and has been called "Father of East Coast Reggae"[3]

History

In 1987 Kevin Kinsella founded the band Tribulations when he was just 15 years old in Ithaca, NY.[4] Kevin and his childhood friend Josh Newton headed the band.[5] The band gained regional notoriety in the northeast and opened for Toots and the Maytals.[6]

In 1995 Kevin Kinsella founded the reggae band John Brown's Body[4] During this time period Kevin released their first album "All Time" (1996) on Kevin's label I Town Records.[7] They also recorded "Among Them" (1998), This Day (2000), and "Spirits All Around Us (2002).[7]

Kevin Kinsella also released two acoustic styled albums as solo releases "I-Town Revival" (2000) and "Firestick (2002).[7]

In 2006 Kevin Kinsella left John Brown's Body on good terms to pursue his solo career and to continue to record with 10 Ft. Ganja Plant.[7]

In 2011 Kevin released his 3rd solo album titled "Great Design,[8] followed by "Riding Higher Still" in 2014.[9]

In 2015 Kevin played a string of dates with Matisyahu with Matiyahu's band Dub Trio as his backing band.[10]

In 2017 Kevin helped organize and curate the talent for the inaugural Ithaca Reggae Festival at Stewart Park in Ithaca, New York. [11]

Musical Influences

Some of Kevin Kinsella's influences include The Meditations and The Gladiators.[4] In 2018 Kevin Kinsella played with his idol Clinton Fearon at the Ithaca Reggae Festival in Ithaca, NY.[12]

Discography

Collaborations
  • Gregory Stephens and Kevin Kinsella AM Gold (2018)

Solo
  • Kevin Kinsella Riding Higher Still (2014)
  • Kevin Kinsella Great Design (2011)
  • Kevin Kinsella I-Town Revival (2006)
  • Kevin Kinsella Ti Ti Chickapea Firestick (2002)

10 Ft. Ganja Plant
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant 10 Deadly Shots Vol. III (2014)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant "Skycatcher" (2013)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant 10 Deadly Shots Vol. II (2012)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant Shake Up The Place (2011)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant 10 Deadly Shots Vol. I (2010)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant Bush Rock (2009)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant Bass Chalice (2005)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant Midnight Landing (2003)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant Do Right / Top Down 45RPM (2003)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant Hillside Airstrip (2001)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant Politricking Man / Fight Them a Fight 45RPM (2001)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant Presents (2000)
  • 10 FT. Ganja Plant Good Time Girl / Good News Dub 45RPM (2000)

John Brown's Body
  • John Brown's Body Pressure Points (2005)
  • John Brown's Body Spirits All Around Us (2002)
  • Justin Hinds Live at Grassroots (2002)
  • John Brown's Body This Day (2000)
  • John Brown's Body Among Them (1998)
  • John Brown's Body All Time (1996)

Tribulations
  • Tribulations Daddy Good Pieces (1994)
  • Tribulations The Gate (1992)
  • Tribulations Youth Sound Power (1991)
  • Tribulations Who Likes Reggae Music (1988)
  • Tribulations City / Dancing In The Rain 45RPM (1987)

References
  1. Ankeny, Jason. "Biography: John Brown's Body". Allmusic. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  2. "Dancing In The Yard of The Creator – A Retrospective on Kevin Kinsella". Rootfire. 2016-10-17. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
  3. "Dustin Thomas on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  4. Knitght, Brian. "New England Island Rhythms: An Interview with Kevin Kinsella of John Brown's Body". The Vermont Review.
  5. Pettrone, Steven. "John Brown's Body: An American Reggae Band Digging Roots in Farm Country". THE DREAD LIBRARY.
  6. Bass, Marco On The (2012-09-07). "Marco On The Bass: The Tribulations - 80's Reggae Band From Ithaca, NY Sow The Seeds Of John Brown's Body". Marco On The Bass. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  7. "Kevin Kinsella". Billboard.
  8. "Review - Kevin Kinsella : Great Design". www.reggae-vibes.com. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  9. "Video: Kevin Kinsella – Riding Higher Still « The Pier Magazine". www.thepier.org. Retrieved 2015-10-19.
  10. WMSigEp (2015-07-20), Matisyahu & Kevin Kinsella -- The Jefferson -- 07/19/2015, retrieved 2018-10-09
  11. "Reggae Fest: Kevin Kinsella Interview". blog.megsradio.fm. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  12. Kevin Kinsella & Clinton Fearon - "On The Other Side" Acoustic at the 2018 Ithaca Reggae Festival, retrieved 2018-07-25
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