When real life brothers Isaac and Thorald Koren—bonded musically as The Kin—met the Rondo Brothers—the ace Bay Area-based production/DJ duo—a new kind of clan was formed.  “We got along like a house on fire,” says Isaac.  “A creative fire between the four of us.”  

The collaboration led to the Rondo Sessions, modern reinventions of pop songs from the 1930s-1970s, soulfully interpreted by The Kin, and “Rondo-ized” with contemporary beatscapes by The Bastard Prince (Brandon Arnovick) and Diamond Jim (Jim Greer).  More than 40 songs—originally made famous by artists ranging from Nina Simone to Nat King Cole to David Bowie—were recorded in 2009-2010 at the Rondo Brothers’ San Francisco studio.

“Through a series of happy accidents, we tried song after song,” says Thorald.  “The tapes were rolling from start to finish—it wasn’t about getting it perfect, it was about having fun.”  Isaac adds, “The Rondo Brothers were masterful at pulling out any kind of thing you can imagine—a sample, a sound, an artist.  We’d have an idea, pull out an instrument, and just try it.”  In September 2010, fourteen songs were released by Ninth Street Opus records on three Rondo Sessions EPs—different versions for the U.S., the U.K., and Japan.

The Kin originally formed in New York City in 2001, after Isaac and Thorald stowed away to America from their hometown of Adelaide, Australia.  Fresh out of high school, they honed their skills at Rockwood Music Hall on the lower east side (they are currently developing a live DVD set at the venue).  “Rockwood was like an extension of our living room, a real scene where we could write and perform music,” says Thorald.  “It helped us find an honesty in songwriting.”  They also connected with street musician/subway performer Shakerleg, whose intense hand drumming was a striking counterpoint to the brothers’ soaring vocals and melodic guitars and multi-instrumentalism.  

The Kin’s first studio album, Rise & Fall—produced by Nic Hard (The Bravery, The Church)—was released in 2007.  A live EP followed, as did three years of touring in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K., headlining small venues and opening for acts including Rod Stewart, Joshua Radin, and Rusted Root. On a break from the road in 2008, The Kin recorded their second album, The UPside, with legendary producer Jack Douglas (John Lennon, The Who), who’d seen them play at the Bowery Ballroom. 

Additional songs from the Rondo Sessions will be released on an ongoing basis.  A live EP from tour dates featuring songs from the sessions will be released in spring 2011, with a new album of original songs from The Kin scheduled for summer 2011.