The Kilans

Salt Lake City-based indie rock band The Kilans have joined the Mom + Pop family. They just released “Colonel”, the follow-up to their viral song “Why Is It Light Out?” which came out earlier this year and has 1M+ streams. The band initially gained recognition on socials when their posts from the song amassed more than 3.5MM+ views on Reels/TikTok.

“Colonel” is about lead singer Jack’s experience being forced into military school in high school, a traumatic time that left a lasting impression. Jack states “when I was 16 years old, I started drinking a lot and doing stuff I wasn’t supposed to be doing. My parents decided they were done and kicked me out of the house. I got dropped into an all-boys military boot camp school in farm town Missouri. It was by far the hardest year of my life so far, and while I was there I couldn’t believe what had happened to me. Waking up at 6 am every morning and following the same schedule every day, it really made you a robot. I remember never feeling properly rested the whole 9 months being there. It was hell on earth. I struggled writing any songs about it until this past fall when I wrote “Colonel.” In the song you can hear me deeply confiding the trauma induced from being away from everything I ever knew. Just listen to the lyrics and you’ll be able to understand what it was like for a 16 year old boy to be sent 1000 miles away from everything he ever knew.” 

The Kilans has a DIY ethos, which is reminiscent of early days from Y2K indie sleaze bands like The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon, etc. They have made a name for themselves locally and online by throwing pop-up backyard shows, jamming on hotel rooftops, hitting the club venue circuit and more. They’ve brought fans along for the ride through compelling content captured in authentic hometown locations ranging from parking garages to suburban streets to skateparks and beyond.