Formed in 2002, Poor Man's Palace features the songwriting of Kevin Corden, vocals and guitars with bandmate Russell Kennedy on bass, keyboards, percussion and guitar, with various other session musicians adding to the ensemble.
Previously known as Restless Natives, which Kevin formed in the mid-nineties with fellow musician Dave Pearson, the band released the album Rhyme and Reason (1995). Due to other commitments, Dave left the band in 2000, whereby Kev began working on a second album, 'Stealing Secrets From The Dreamkeeper', with Russ.
Sales of these two albums to date have reached over 5,000 units. Two 'radio' singles lifted from 'Secrets' - Cartoon Kisses (In The Real World) and Happy Little Accidents - both well received upon their release, earning praise from NME and 'Rock Sounds' magazines. Both tracks gained significant air time on Kent's Invicta FM Radio station and 'Cartoon Kisses' actually received several plays on Radio 1.
Following the positive media reaction to the two singles, Kevin was subsequently invited to record a solo acoustic session for Invicta FM in 2003, finally securing a publishing deal for his songs later that year.
Owing to the success of the 'Stealing Secrets' album, Kev decided to repackage and re-release it in late 2005, with a new project under the banner of 'Poor Man's Palace'. The new album was widely available and marketed through the innovative web company PeopleSound.com and sold well
Kev's real love is the process of songwriting and he cites such influences as Crowded House, Justin Currie of Del Amitri, Miracle Mile, Hootie and the Blowfish, The Fray, Coldplay, Tears for Fears, Roddy Frame and Sting amongst others. Some of his songs have also been performed by other artists and he continues to hone his craft in search of the perfect song; should such a beast exist!
Russ Kennedy is a well-respected musician in his own right, in particular in the Medway area of Kent. He has played in several bands of note including 69 Daze with another talented local singer Jim Reilly (featuring Kris Dollimore of later of Del Amitri fame) and an excellent rock band 'The Herbs' (featuring Dean Howard of T'Pau and John Keeble of Spandau Ballet). Apart from assisting many artists in their own recording projects Russ has also recorded two wonderful albums, namely with the Herbs entitled 'The Other Side' and Dean Howard 'Volume One' which featured the one and only Ian Gillan, Danny Bowes of Thunder and Toby Jepson of Little Angels fame.
Whilst playing with the Herbs, Russ supported the likes of Thunder and Status Quo and in recent years has been a regular session player on shows including 'Beyond the Barricades' and the 'Blues Brothers'. Amongst his mastery of all things bass, including taking on lead guitar when the occasion suits, Russ is also an accomplished woodwind/tuba player---the clever bugger!! He has also been known to get a note or two out of a digeridoo!
Apart from his solo project 'Poor Man's Palace', Kevin also enjoys playing with popular local Kent (UK) band, '4 Worlds Collide' who gig regularly throughout the county.
Kev is currently putting together songs for a new album tentatively entitled "Creed" and will start recording with Russ again in March. The plan is for the album to be released sometime in late 2008. To support the new songs Kev may well get together with Russ with a view to playing a series of acoustic dates but for news of this, watch this space----- Kevin has recently signed a new publishing deal and is over the moon!!. kev will be recording new songs " Precious Pride Thing", "The Last of a Great Romance", "I built the World" and "Skin Wrapped in" all intended for the new album in the next few weeks. Will keep you updated!!
