Kim Deal is an icon of indie rock. Over a 40-year career, she’s been in some of the biggest alternative bands, including Pixies (as she emphasized, it’s not the Pixies, it’s just Pixies) and The Breeders. Last year, she finally went solo, releasing the acclaimed record Nobody Loves You More. In a recent turn at the Capitol Turnaround, she delivered a performance worthy or her lofty status in the alt-rock pantheon.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Kim and her twin sister, Kelley, took to music at an early age. They started singing together when they were just five years old, and, by the age of 11, Kim was learning to play her father’s acoustic guitar. After college, she moved to Boston, where she answered an ad looking for a bassit “into Hüsker Dü and Peter, Paul and Mary.” Thus, she joined the Pixies.
That Kim responded to such an ad is indicative of the breath of her tastes and influences. Along with Kelley, she formed an early folk-rock version of The Breeders. But she was also into more underground music, like Siouxsie Sioux and the Undertones. Her full range is apparent on Nobody Loves You More, which blends noisy rock with horns and strings, all emphasizing her immaculate songcraft.
Deal has always been a fantastic singer, and she sounded as good, if not better, than ever at Capital Turnaround on March 15. The sweetness of her voice has gained a touch of huskiness and increased depth, making it a subtly sultry instrument.
Watch the official music video for “Nobody Loves You More” by Kim Deal on YouTube:
Kim played two sets, with the first consisting of the entirety of Nobody Loves You More. She kept it tight, with a minimum of banter; she did ask the audience for clarification on whether she was in the District or Virginia. Surprisingly, the audience didn’t see to be in agreement on the answer to this question. For the first set, Deal played electric; she opened the second set with “Beautiful Moon” on acoustic, accompanied by cello. She noted she had put out that and the final song of the set, “Biker Gone,” as singles. Between them, she played several Breeders songs: “Night of Joy,” “Safari,” and “Walking With a Killer.” Her encore consisted of two more Breeders songs: “Off You” and “Do You Love Me Now?”
Ratboys, who opened the show with a 30-minute set, were an appropriate choice here, as they are one of many bands influenced by The Breeders. The band has been touring hard; this is their third appearance in DC since last May, when they opened for The Decemberists at The Anthem. They opened with “Molly,” and their set included two new songs, the latter of which “Burn It Down,” was personally dedicated “to our federal government.” They also played “Elvis Is in the Freezer,” about frontwoman Julia Steiner’s childhood cat, who her mother put in the freezer after he died while she was away at college. (Julia described Elvis “a little asshole” who was “mean to everyone in my family except me,” adding, “We had a special bond.”)
Watch the official music video for “Elvis Is in the Freezer” by Ratboys on YouTube:
Ratboys finished up with “The Window” and “Go Outside,” a fitting selection for a lovely night on the cusp of spring. On a personal note, I am proud of myself for exercising the restraint not to ask Julia if she’s related to wrestling legends The Steiner Brothers.
The Ratboys were a nice complement to Kim, who was absolutely spectacular, with an expansive sound and a voice that’s never sounded better. It may have taken Deal 40 years to release a solo record, but it was worth the wait for this excellent set of songs that highlights her strengths.
Here are some photos of Kim Deal performing at Capital Turnaround on March 15, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.
Here are some photos of Ratboys opening Kim Deal at Capital Turnaround on March 15, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.
