Kindness and Lies

San Francisco based Kindness and Lies came to fruition in March of 2009. The members, which include Ash Scheiding (vocals/guitar), Niki Marie (vocals/keys), Betsy Adams (guitar), Robert Atkinson (bass), and Brian Joseph (drums) have collaborated in various ways on previous projects and have been friends for several years. Musically, they possess qualities of indie and power-pop - tastefully combining dynamic changes with rhythmic and melodic sensibility. The songs are compelling, often anthe...

San Francisco based Kindness and Lies came to fruition in March of 2009. The members, which include Ash Scheiding (vocals/guitar), Niki Marie (vocals/keys), Betsy Adams (guitar), Robert Atkinson (bass), and Brian Joseph (drums) have collaborated in various ways on previous projects and have been friends for several years. Musically, they possess qualities of indie and power-pop - tastefully combining dynamic changes with rhythmic and melodic sensibility. The songs are compelling, often anthemic, and are adorned with Scheiding and Marie's tasteful harmonies. Influences include Heart, Death Cab For Cutie, The Police, and Copeland. The band's lyrical and energetic focus has been one of embracing both humanness and the breaking down of complacency and distraction. The group has bonded over the commonality that they are relatively ordinary people - not focusing on extravagance, but on content. In that, they strive to contribute to extraordinary things; Kindness and Lies has spent a significant portion of their live performances playing for various health and humanitarian causes - including events for organizations serving adults with developmental disabilities, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Breast Cancer Fund, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Performances have taken place in San Francisco at venues such as Bottom of the Hill, Red Devil Lounge, and Cafe Du Nord. The band has also played in several other cities in the bay area. Future plans include the release of their debut EP Look Up Now - with formal release shows on November 20th in San Francisco at El Rio, and December 12th in Santa Rosa at the Last Record Store. North and southwest tours are anticipated for early 2010, as well as continuing performances in northern California.