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Kimmi Bitter

RIYL

The Night Howls, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Kacey Musgraves, Nikki Lane, Taryn Donath, Dannie Marie, Three Chord Justice, Ginger Cowgirl, Sara Petite, Cathryn Beeks Ordeal, Barbara Nesbitt, Molly Bee, Kayla Hope, Eve Selis, Western Set, Mrs. Henry, Cathouse Thursday, California Rangers, Billy Joe & the Roosters, Shane Hall, JB & the Movers

Influences

Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt, Elvis, Willie Nelson, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Merle Haggard, Wanda Jackson, Loretta Lynn

Discography

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With a strong affinity for the roots of American music, San Diego native Kimmi Bitter (the Night Howls) began learning guitar at 18. She is inspired by 1970s delicate singer-songwriters and 1960s vintage country, styling her songs around the classic sounds of Patsy Cline with the Jordanaire's, Loretta Lynn, and Linda Ronstadt.

Her debut EP West Side Twang, released in 2019, features a California take on traditional country and soul. A strong believer in minimalism and retro-technology, all songs were recorded with a band live to analog tape at local Lost Ark Studio with engineer Mike Butler. Her band at the time included boyfriend and musical collaborator Willis Farnsworth, as well as Ben Neal (the Night Howls), Jody Bagley (Mrs. Henry, Cathouse Thursday), Cheyne Dolly (Wish & the Well, Shane Hall), Bob Ryan (California Rangers, Three Chord Justice), and Goodrich Pedals co-owner Kevin Ryan (California Rangers, Billy Joe & the Roosters).

"The roots of California country music go deep, though they are much neglected, and hence the name West Side Twang is all about bringing the elements of this genre to fruition," says Bitter. "The CD artwork features a cricket and horseshoe, both omens of good luck while simultaneously representing a western vibe, and desert roses, which is a titled song on the EP."

Her sophomore EP Take Me Back was released later in 2019. She supported the record by touring 1995 Dodge camper van nicknamed THEKRNL. In summer 2022, Northern Pine Brewing in Oceanside debuted a signature beer named for the camper, the KRNL Bitter Blonde. Arond the same time, she began working on an EP, produced by Mark Neill.

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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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