B-Side Guys

There’s something deliciously ironic about a five-foot-tall folk rocker becoming notorious for destroying furniture during his performances. St. Louis native Kevin Koplar, now splitting his time between Los Angeles and memories of six years in Thailand, has built a reputation that precedes both his stature and his latest single “Broken Breeze.”

The track emerges from the intersection of raw acoustic power and calculated songcraft, with Koplar’s infamous stomping providing a primal backbone that transforms a solo performance into what feels like a full band assault. This isn’t your typical coffee house folk—it’s more akin to what might happen if Jack White decided to unplug and channel Bob Dylan’s storytelling spirit through a megaphone of pure adrenaline.

Matthew Fischer, owner of Fattys and apparent victim of Koplar’s furniture-destroying live shows, wasn’t exaggerating when he noted Koplar’s ability to outrock entire bands with just an acoustic guitar. This intensity translates remarkably well to “Broken Breeze,” where the artist’s percussive playing style creates a dynamic tension between gentle melodic passages and explosive choruses.

What makes the track particularly compelling is how it harnesses Koplar’s diverse geographic background, weaving threads of St. Louis blues, Thai-influenced melodic sensibilities, and LA’s contemporary folk scene into something entirely his own. The production maintains the raw energy of his live performances while adding subtle layers that enhance rather than sanitize his signature sound.

Thematically, “Broken Breeze” explores the cyclical nature of lost thoughts and scattered memories, suggesting a restlessness that perhaps explains Koplar’s globetrotting tendencies. It’s a fitting release for an artist who seems perpetually caught between worlds—acoustic and electric, gentle and fierce, rooted and wandering.

For a debut single, “Broken Breeze” serves as both a mission statement and a warning shot across the bow of anyone who might mistake diminutive stature for diminished impact. Just remember to bring reinforced furniture if you catch him live.