Photos: Wye Oak, Karl Blau, and LAKE at the Windup Space

Sunday night the Windup Space sported one of their better bills this year, with some local and Pacific Northwest artists converging on North Avenue. Wye Oak headlined, the infamous Karl Blau was slotted second, and LAKE opened. With a pretty full house for the Sunday night after Halloween, there was no way this was going to suck.

Karl Blau's new record, Zebra, combines an African influence with the raw and powerful folk we've come to know and love from Blau. He was backed by LAKE, and played mostly newer material off of Zebra. Sound at the Windup was pretty on point, and his usual deep and heavy vocals took the forefront. However playing with a full live band and using much more complex rhythms and melodies really rounded out his feel as a whole.


Wye Oak put on yet another fantastic performance - nothing new here folks. The duo was honored to be playing with Karl Blau, as Jenn rightfully encouraged the crowd to pick up his new LP. Those who stayed until the end were treated by Caleb Stine joining Andy and Jenn, one of the more talented trios you'll see together on stage.

Peep Valerie's full photo set here and below, and grab a copy of Zebra ASAP.


Photos by Valerie

Chain and the Gang / The Hive Dwellers

I wouldn’t normally be highlighting a show this far down yonder, but it’s a must after having just previewed one of K Records upcoming releases. Chain and the Gang’s Down With Liberty....Up With Chains will be unveiled in a few weeks on April 7th.

On repeat since I recieved it, this LP brings 40 kitchen sinks...and then some. The band is Ian Svenonius’s concotion; formerly of Nation of Ulysses, the Make-Up & Weird War.

Their mission:

"Everywhere that liberty goes, it leaves a path of destruction. Fast food, bad architecture, materialism, rampant greed, environmental destruction, imperial conquest, class struggle; these phenomena, when combined, seem to be synonymous with “Liberty.” So just as it’s called “liberty” when war and greed stalk the land, Ian Svenonius calls his band Chain and the Gang. Like a true chain gang, they’re on the road to confront and defy any freedom-lovers that come across their path." (via)

All agenda aside, the album rips raw bursts of rock, funk, sweat, blues, and pretty much anything else. It also boasts a ridiculous supporting cast including Calvin Johnson, Karl Blau, Nicolaas Zwart, and a whole lot more in typical K Records fashion.

Chain and the Gang’s April 28th gig at the Talking Head couldn’t come any sooner. Especially when considering Calvin Johnston’s new band The Hive Dwellers will also head the bill. Also supporting will be Mahjongg. Check back for more deets on this one.