Kimmi Bitter
By fusing the golden-era spirit with West Coast energy, her blend of 1960s Nashville grandeur, surf-soaked guitar tones, and mod aesthetics has earned her a devoted following across the country.
A fast-rising force in Americana, Bitter first broke through with her acclaimed 2024 debut, Old School. The album landed in the Top 25 of the Americana Album Radio Chart and spent four consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Alt. Country Specialty Chart. It was featured in Billboard's "8 Must-Hear New Country Songs," named one of Whiskey Riff's Top Debut Albums, and earned eight award nominations. She went on to take home three San Diego Music Awards, including Best Country Album (2025), while also earning back-to-back Song of the Year wins (2024 and 2025). Her live performances have been hailed among the standout sets at both SXSW in Austin and AmericanaFest in Nashville.
Now, Bitter returns with her highly anticipated sophomore album, Bittersweet, arriving summer 2026. Inspired by Pacific coastlines, Palm Springs glamour, and the psychedelic desert haze of the 1960s, the album leans further into the lush orchestration of Countrypolitan while stretching into new sonic territory. It's a deeper exploration of the sound Bitter has made her own, blending classic country with surf rock, psychedelia, and distinctly West Coast influences.
On the road, Kimmi is backed by her touring band, The Westside Twang, featuring longtime bandmates Willis Farnsworth (guitar) and Ben Neal (bass). Known for coaxing pedal steel-style sounds from his Gretsch guitar and his unmistakable twang, Farnsworth has earned a devoted following of his own. Holding down triple duty on bass, stomp box, and vocals, Neal provides the steady backbone to the band's live sound. Together, their shared obsession with the 1960s shapes a sound that blends classic country with surf rock, psychedelic twang, and a dash of mod flair.
Kimmi Bitter and The Westside Twang aren't simply preserving classic country—they're pushing it forward. With a rapidly growing audience, a distinct artistic vision, and a sound that reaches beyond nostalgia, Bitter is helping shape the next chapter of modern classic country.
