From 1998 to 2013 Rilo Kiley built an illustrious career on creating masterful, deeply engrossing albums, the songs balancing an intimate confessional side with a kind of cavalier joie de vive and an increasingly affectionate nod to their Southern Californian musical heritage. Singer/songwriter Jenny Lewis' dexterity for lush power pop, soulful synths and weepy country ballads was complemented perfectly by singer/guitarist Blake Sennett's shimmering guitar work. Now the band is going back to the beginning with a first time vinyl release of their rare original self released record from 1999 which yielded the tracks "Frug" and "85" that were featured on the soundtrack to the 1998 Christina Ricci film Desert Blue. Originally only a home made CD sold at shows, this reissue of Rilo Kiley features the same artwork in a gatefold package with colored vinyl. Comedian Dave Foley (The Kids In The Hall, NewsRadio) was in the audience at Rilo Kiley's first show at Los Angeles' Spaceland in Silverlake back in 1998. He was so enamored with the band that night that he approached the group and wound up funding Rilo Kiley's very first demo session and, in turn, their debut LP. Foley shared the following of his meeting with the band: "January 1998, I was a young man, young compared to now, hanging out in L.A's alt. rock club scene. One night in particular, I found myself at Spaceland, at the bar drinking when a band started playing. They were good, so good that I stopped fighting for the attention of the bartender and turned to see who it was. On stage was a very young, delightfully unpretentious group named Rilo Kiley. Between songs they were charming, smart and funny. During songs they were brilliant. After the set I introduced myself and learned that this was their first public performance. I was astonished. They invited me back to their rehearsal space for Thai food and to hear some songs they didn't have room for in the set. Dreamily, I filled my belly with noodles and my head with one great song after another. I was in a full on, pop music fan swoon. Having decided to force myself into their lives, I suggested (insisted) that I should fund a demo recording. They relented. I also tried to talk them into changing the band's name. They were unrelenting. A lot of years have passed. I remain proud to know Rilo Kiley and grateful that I had the opportunity and ability to be of some help."
