Kernel began writing songs in earnest at the onset of the pandemic. Over the previous couple of years, he’d slowly learned a few chords on guitar, though never enough to know them by name. Over time he learned to pluck along with records he loved and that evolved into crafting his own tunes. At first, they were straightforward, even simple two chord affairs. Quickly, however, these blossomed into unique compositions of their own. Now, Kernel is ready to begin recording and releasing them into the wild. 

No one calls Joel Kuiper by his full name unless he is being addressed by his mother or the State of Michigan. Anyone, and everyone who knows and loves him sees him first as Kernel. More popcorn prince than military man, the Kernel is with a K and not that funny spelling with the C. While Kernel the man is certainly at the heart of KERNEL, the band, he envisions something far greater than just his own voice and songs.

Working with an ever evolving cast of collaborators, Joel seeks to elevate KERNEL into a being greater than the sum of its parts, and certainly larger than just the scope of its lone creator. There is a momentum that occurs with a project like this. Kernel is just the man to keep the engine firing on all cylinders. 

On KERNEL’S first single, ‘Digital Feelings’, Joel has collaborated with Adam Aymor (Wild Honey Collective/ex-Cheap Girls) and Jennifer Toms (A Rueful Noise/ex-Scary Women) blasting off with a tight, pounding, fuzzy single ‘Digital Feelings’. A raucous swagger sets the stage from the outset. Distorted guitars, pumping bass, and a syncopated vocal jump and chug. Shiny acoustic guitars, and chimey strums punctuate moments that recall Guided By Voices, Telekenesis or Teenage Fanclub. 

‘Digital Feelings’ might be a new song for a new era, but it feels like good old fashioned rock and roll played with sweat, sizzle, and stomp. 

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‘Digital Feelings’ is available on all digital platforms August 25, 2023 via Phonophore Records