Velvet Graves, the solo project of Philadelphia-based artist Dylan Kittrell, offers up Kittrell’s own unique blend of shoegaze and post-punk-inspired alternative. Kittrell originally hails from Columbia, South Carolina where he became involved in the local music scene, playing in several different bands throughout high school, before relocating to Philadelphia in 2019, where he started putting out songs under the Velvet Graves moniker starting with the single “Lexapro.”
He tried out a few different genres from emo rap to witch house to hyper pop but never found the right fit, then returned to his post-punk and shoegaze roots on his 2022 debut album Damage Control, which focuses on themes of heartbreak, addiction, and trying to navigate an increasingly difficult reality.
Today, Velvet Graves is debuting the video for the project’s latest single “Heavy to Hold.” With clean guitars contrasting against electronic elements, it creates a haunting ambiance that leaves Kittrell’s soul bare. Check out the video below.
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Photo courtesy of Jay Leiby
