CL's picks for the week's best shows - July 25, 2007
Creative Loafing - Atlanta, Georgia
KAISER-CARTEL: Playful openers Brooklyn-based Kaiser-Cartel give away a small pack of crayons with the purchase of their new EP, Double Standard. Presumably, the duo hopes its listeners will fill in the stark black-and-white line drawing on the cover, but inside the package, they do their own coloring, slightly out of the lines, of course, with their take on catchy, minimalist folk rock. Atlanta's Melancon knows a thing or two about catchy (and he probably knows about crayons, too). Backed by the Arts and Sciences, he continues to reign as the Apostle Paul of the city's singer/songwriter scene, letting his startling visions guide his muse. $10. 9 p.m. Eddie's Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. -- LEE VALENTINE SMITH
KaiserCartel
My Experience: KaiserCartel @ Murphy's - July 21, 2007
Brooklynites Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel, of KaiserCartel, invite you to warm up by the fire and share an intimate hour of music. I have to say, at one moment in the evening I imagined curling up with my favorite blanket next to an amber fire in a bar. It was pretty great.
Their minimal-phenom pop is beautifully crafted and any band that play interchanging toy xylophones is awesome in my book.
Speaking of phenom, Murphy's clientele demographic changes at the stroke of 10pm. Due to the early show the inebriated 'regulars'(who were not there for the independent pop musings) requested James Taylor and Eric Clapton. Despite the heckling and shouting "hey I want one of those whiskey things" the kind duo sealed their concentration with smiles.
The small turnout had a lot to due with the Reverend Al Green's performance at the Botanical Gardens, Harlan T. Bobo's CD release and of course, Crunkfest.
When KaiserCartel learned of the happenings around town Kaiser (an entrepreneuse) suggested they go perform outside Al Green's show. They then shifted gears, Kaiser on drums and Cartel on guitar. Benjamin fooled the audience and introduced the following song as an Al Green cover. He sang, "pack up your bag and leave your home behind." It could have been an Al Green song.
Both then played guitar on "Okay" and amazingly created a pure synth pop sound and sang, "it's okay if you fool everyone."
Other highlights included "Seasons Song" with one of the best whistle introductions next to Andrew Bird. "Dog Stars" and a song about their favorite old movie, White Dove. Kartel said, "one of the most beautiful movies we've ever seen. Hands down."
Their last song was a blissful serenade to the audience. Courtney and Ben walked down the stage and into the crowd of eight and sang to each of us. Courtney has the bluest crystal eyes I think I've ever looked into. It was a miraculous hit in the gut.
After the performance I had the opportunity to ask a couple of questions:
Scenestars: Ben what goes through your mind when someone in the audience shouts, "hey, I want one of those whiskey things?" Do you find it distracting? Ben: It makes me laugh. If people are not into it, well alright. It is kinda funny. Kinda out of place. What we do is quiet. We have to be really focused -- before you know it you're all over the place. I learned a trick from our friends in Low (Minneapolis band). They suggested if you want to get the audience's attention you play quieter.
Scenestars: Courtney, your style is unique and looks so effortless. Did you learn to play with your middle finger and thumb? Courtney: Actually, I learned to play formally and when I would write and play it never sounded right. I was turned on to T-Rex and discovered I could play the entire record in that tuning. It is amazing what you can do with your middle finger and thumb.
If you would like to be sung to and feel wonderfully blissful inside and out catch KaiserCartel in your town or a town near you. When was the last time someone sang to you?
Kaiser Cartel
London, Betsy Trotwood, Farringdon - June 15, 2007
Whisperin & Hollerin - United Kingdom
Ladies and gentlemen, in the words of the truly magnificent KAISER CARTEL, come, join us and warm up by the fire...
Playing in the tomb-like confines of the Betsy Trotwood in Farringdon, London, this Brooklyn-based duo introduced us into their wonderful world of DIY cool music.
Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel function as an inside-out White Stripes - lady on the guitar and lead vocals, man on the drums - with less emphasis on the 'RnB'. They opened with a slow, Verucca Salt tinged acoustic pop number that was proof positive that 'less is more', with the power and beauty of the song shining through the sparse arrangement.
Ms Kaiser's vocals were sweet with a hard edge. When singing the epic "Dog Star", she mixed the purity of Emmylou Harris with the magical gothic of Tanya Donnely. But perhaps the most striking comparison would be Harriet Wheeler of The Sundays. It's hard to say though, there was a genuine honesty behind Kaiser's vocals, they were really beautiful.
To say there were so few instruments being played ? guitar, drum, xylophone, and tight harmony vocals ? they managed to encompass a nice basket of styles, from the sounds of the West coast, Alt.Country, Steeleye Span-esque heavy folk rock (who'd've thunk it?!), to cherry-flavoured indie pop. And there was a fair amount of instrument swapping, not to mention Benjamin Cartel taking centre stage for some of the numbers. In all, the set was utterly captivating.
But without a doubt, the highlight of the evening was their final song, where they stepped away from the stage and sang a haunting duo, as they walked through and serenaded the audience.
We were snuggled in one of the alcoves next to the stage (prime seating area!) and amazingly both Kaiser and Cartel popped their heads around the corner, and in a moment of true sincerity they sang to us for what seemed like the entire chorus. Apart from the fact that the acoustics sounded great, it was a very personal warm, glowing feeling. Honestly, we couldn't wipe the grins off our faces for ages afterwards.
In breaking down the barriers between themselves and the crowd they gave everyone a really moving experience. We were nearly in tears and I felt compelled to give Courtney Kaiser a massive hug afterwards. It's easy to imagine that most people in the room felt the same way.
This mini-tour was Kaiser Cartel's first time round in London, but us at W&H truly hope to see them at this side of the pond again very soon. Fabulous stuff.
Kaiser Cartel
EP - Double Standard
Toxicpete.com
Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel originate from Brooklyn. They got together in 2004 to lay down the foundations for this intriguingly laid back musical union that was to become KaiserCartel. They are a surprisingly low-key sounding duo that keep things really simple - modest rather than lo-fi but with mouth-watering results that sound liberated and down-home honest.
KaiserCartel do the minimalist nu-folk/country/rock thing with massive sensitivity. Instrumentally challenged (seemingly no more than acoustic guitar, snare drum, cymbal, two voices and the occasional percussive 'jingling'), KaiserCartel bring a whole new feel to contemporary music. Relying heavily on their impressive songwriting and massively effective and very tasty vocal attributes (individual and combined), the intrepid twosome take the listener on a gentle voyage through their delicate but wholesome musical world of new-age acoustic wonderment.
Although 'Double Standard' is an EP, there's actually seven great tracks to sit back and enjoy. And, 'Double Standard' does make you want to just sit and listen - it draws you in, slowly and very gently it works its way into you and leaves you feeling suitably chilled and positively refreshed. 'Double Standard' comes complete with a small pack of crayons - so as you relax you can colour in the charming line drawing on its cover - more originality, more simplicity, more under-statement!
I really like 'Double Standard' by KaiserCartel - they're doing something a bit different and doing it extremely well! The two work superbly well together vocally. Their songs are nicely proportioned, well crafted and sensitively handled. At a time when much of the music we hear tends to be very cluttered and complex, Kaiser Cartel have brought things back down to ground, almost to basics, and deigned to bring the world the gift of 'Double Standard' - and what fine gift it is too. 'Double Standard' is musical simplicity, homeopathic stimulation and aural splendour.
(Rhythm & Booze rating 9)