Kyle Craft grew up in Shreveport, La., where he embraced the local lifestyle — like eating crawfish with potatoes and corn — and he also embraced the local wildlife: "A six foot alligator you could handle with your hands," he tells The Current's Brian Oake.

It was a move to Portland, Ore., however, where Craft began a fresh phase in his life. "A lot of things had ended, and I guess I needed a new start," he says.

That new start led to the recording and release of his debut album, Dolls of Highland, and its subsequent tour that brings him to the Twin Cities to play a show at the Turf Club. Before the gig, Craft and his band stopped in to The Current's studio for a session hosted by Brian Oake.

Craft and company haven't been touring for too long, but they've got a lot of dates ahead of them, including a number of shows where they'll be supporting the Drive-by Truckers. "We're doing the southern leg of their tour with them, which I'm super excited about," Craft says. "I've met Patterson [Hood] and he's just the sweetest guy."

As for the songs on Dolls of Highland, Craft remains coy about their specific meaning, although there are hints of a breakup behind it. "A lot of it was about things coming to a pretty abrupt end," Craft tells Oake. "The songs were written pre-event; post-event, the songs were sung."

Use the audio player above to listen to the complete in-studio session with Kyle Craft.

Personnel

Kyle Craft- Guitar
Haven Multz- Drums
Daniel Talmadge- Piano
Jeremy Padot- Guitar
Ben Steinmetz- Organ
Mayhaw Hoons- Bass

Songs Performed

"Future Mid-City Massacre"
"Pentecost"
"Eye of a Hurricane"
All songs off Kyle Craft's debut album, Dolls of Highland, out now via Sub Pop.

Hosted by Brian Oake
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Cameron Wiley
Visuals by Evan Frost and Leah Garaas
Web feature by Luke Taylor

Gallery

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