The Criminal Kid

The Criminal Kid is a project driven by Allysia Marie from Regina, Saskatchewan. It’s an alt-rock ensemble that refuses to stay in a genre box, exploring a variety of sounds and moods, a sound described as “pop, rock, dark and fun all at the same time” (SPUN music).

"Dear Disaster" is the second album by The Criminal Kid, written by Allysia Van Betuw and released in March 2022. The eleven tracks on the album are highly personal and detail the beginning and ending of Allysia's marriage. The emotive range of Dear Disaster is very dynamic, from the aggression of Natural Feelings to the rock-bottom despair of Black Water, and many shades in between. Each track on the album features Allysia's lyrics and expressive vocals, which bring to mind artists like Fiona Apple and Alanis Morrissette. The dark, organic instrumentation and focus on mood and musicality is reminiscent of projects like A Perfect Circle. As Allysia is a pianist and teacher, piano runs through the entire album as a connective thread, softening the harder edges of the album and adding a unique, emotive mood to the rock album. Acoustic drums, also used on each track of the album, helps bring the songs to life, along with soothing moments of acoustic guitar, and edgier, angstier moments of electric guitar. Dear Disaster spans the full spectrum of love and loss, but even in its darkest moments (of which there are many), it is always moving on and onward.

The Criminal Kid’s first album, These Blue Walls are Faking Freedom, is a youthful, high-energy grunge-tipped album released in 2012.

What others have to say:

“Gorgeous and poetic lyrics that are often resplendent, graceful, and tragic all at once, [a] vast ocean of harmonies, and a cascading waterfall of drums.” -Uri Eduardo, Toronto Rhapcity

“That band you never knew but saw at a festival like the 90’s Canadian touring Edgefest and were blown away.” – SPUN music

“With hard-hitting guitars, up-tempo drum beats and catchy, soaring vocals, The Criminal Kid is a band you should be sure to check out. Their dark pop-rock style of music is infectious, hitting you with songs that will make you dance and warm your heart.” (Verb Regina)