Rilo Kiley Announces Self-Titled Debut Studio Album Reissue

Rilo Kiley‘s long out-of-print self-titled debut studio release from 1999 will be reissued via Little Record Company on October 2. The band — which consisted of Jenny Lewis, Pierre de Reeder, Blake Sennett and Dave Rock — went on to release four full-length albums and last toured in 2008 before breaking up.

The nine-track album was sold as CDs at some of the band’s early shows and quickly went out-of-print. The upcoming reissue will mark the first time Rilo Kiley will be available on vinyl.

Comedian Dave Foley of The Kids In The Hall and NewsRadio fame was in the audience at Rilo Kiley’s first show at Spaceland in Silverlake back in 1998. 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.

Rilo Kiley tapped director Morgan J Freeman to direct their first video. The clip for “Frug” featured scenes from Freeman’s Desert Blue film including ones with Kate Hudson, Casey Affleck and Christina Ricci. MTV aired the video from the then unsigned band on 120 Minutes in 1999. Rilo Kiley signed with Barsuk Records, the label that put out their “official” debut album, Take-Offs And Landings, in 2001.

Watch Rilo Kiley’s debut video for “Frug” from MTV’s 120 Minutes below:

Rilo Kiley Tracklist

1. Frug
2. Papillion
3. Always
4. 85
5. Glendora
6. Teenage Lovesong
7. Sword
8. Asshole
9. Gravity