BLK JKS Drop Video For "Molalatladi"

In case you missed it in our mention of our top records of 2009, we just wanted to point your way to the new video from BLK JKS, which is, frankly, fantastic. The vid catches the band in their native Soweto, clowing around on a train, traversing a boardwalk, and playing in a club. Moreover, its got some of the great cinematography that all great band image-building is based around. Check it out above!

mp3: BLK JKS - Molalatladi

HAD's Top Records Of 2009

You didn't think we'd forgotten, did you? Granted, it's New Year's Eve and we're not much for best-of lists. Still, we couldn't help but think that you, dear readers, might just like to know what we had picked as our creme de la creme for the year. So, without further ado, we give you the HAD Best Records of 2009! Happy New Year!

1. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix:
If this entry surprises you, then one of two things is true: either you don't read HAD regularly, or you're just plain not paying attention. We've been drooling over Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix since before it's release, and frankly never stopped. There's no question that 2009 has been Phoenix's year, and we had the pleasure to catch them on the way up. Given that it was three years since their last record, our only disappointment is that we may have to wait just as long for the next one.

2. Kurt Vile – God Is Saying This To You...
Kurt Vile has had a ridiculously prolific year: two full length records and an EP, to be exact. Still, it's this record - the first we heard from Vile - that really stuck with us when push came to shove. God Is Saying This To You... takes hold of all of Vile's strengths, combining them simultaneously into a whole that is greater than its parts. There's atmospheric ambience, pop songwriting, and killer instrumentation. In short, it's a masterpiece that he has yet to best, although we have little doubt that he will.

3. BLK JKS – Mystery EP/After Robots
BLK JKS exploded on our musical consciousness seemingly out of nowhere, offering up a killer blend of sonic influences that is simply unparalleled in the US music scene. Hailing from South Africa, the band has a sound that is unmistakably unique, and moreover, completely exciting. The compositions are loaded with layers of melodies and rhythms, many of which only reveal themselves after repeated listens. We're often searching for sounds that are unfamiliar or unique, and in BLK JKS we found them without question. With the band just having released their first video, we frankly can't wait to see what comes next. (And if you have any question in your mind about what high quality vinyl pressings sound like, pick up the band's Mystery EP. The pressing is a marvel of analog science.)

4. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
It goes without saying that Dave Longstreth has been writing some of the most exciting compositions out there for the better part of a decade. Still, 2009 was the year when he took his game to town, and delivered it to the masses. Assembling a ridiculously tight band for both the studio and the road, Longstreth managed to create a body of compositions that somehow fulfill a ridiculous duality. Not only are they some of the most groundbreaking works of the year, but also somehow unfathomably accessible. Listening to the effortless intricacy makes you realize that there are simply some bands that were meant to push the envelope, and that Dirty Projectors are one of them.

5. Japandroids – Post Nothing
Post Nothing fell upon us like an unexpected breath of fresh air. The record is, quite simply, a balls to the wall, blood on the tracks, heart on the sleeve, rock and roll record. Never mind that it's only two dudes making all that noise, or that they employ an amazingly honest DIY work ethic. The fact of the matter is that this record has some of the most heartfelt lyrical content we've heard in a long time, and that friends, is called soul. "Will be find our way back home? I don't know..." Neither do we, but you can bet we'll be glad to have a Japandroids record for the journey.

6. White Rabbits – It’s Frightening
Talking about this record without mentioning its producer is painfully difficult, especially given how much we love the guy. But it's absolutely necessary, because White Rabbits deserve their moment in the spotlight. Not only did the band create this amazing record, but they backed it up with a painfully bulletproof live show that demonstrated their musical prowess without compromise. It's Frightening is the sort of record that will be stuck in your head for days after you've heard it, and that's definitely a good thing.

7. Julian Casablancas – Phrazes For The Young
No, it's not a Strokes record, but we're okay with that. The fact of the matter is that Julian Casablancas the solo artist manages to create a world that he controls completely, and that means that you're seeing his vision to perfection. The end result is an album that is many things at once: controlled but chaotic, dancey but rock-y, angry but laughable, earnest but sly. In short, Casablancas has managed to take his persona and elevate it to another level, with an album to match. Phrazes takes quite a few listens to truly "get", but once you do, it's every bit as rewarding as any offering from Jules so far.

8. Vetiver – Tight Knit
After releasing a covers record, we were kind of secretly wondering if Vetiver had it in them to follow up the stellar To Find Me Gone. Tight Knit answered that question with a resounding yes: the record is packed to the seams with amazing instrumentation, fantastic songwriting, and killer arrangements. What's more, for a band whose strong suit is subtlety, they manage to deliver a rock solid, upbeat live show. In short, Vetiver has clarified that not only are they here to stay, but they're delivering some of the best sounding records around.

9. Fuck Buttons – Tarot Sport
We were sort of lukewarm on Street Horrsing, so we were pretty surprised when Fuck Buttons delivered a record of this caliber. Quite simply, Tarot Sport manages to take electronica to a new place, and it's one that we're quite happy to be. The pair manage to employ a range of synths and samples to create a sound that is immediately accessible and at the same time totally holds its own against some of the best electronic experimentalists today. It's been a long time since we've been completely won over by a record driven by DJ's, but we're happy to say that Tarot Sport delivers.

10. The Takeover UK – Running With The Wasters
What can we say? We're suckers for amazing pop records, and this one is exactly that. Yes, it's an amalgam of influences, but the fact of the matter is that Running With The Wasters is a record of pure garage rock perfection, with a shiny veneer on top of it all. Sure, we know it's not cool to love a record this clean, but that doesn't change the fact that every time we listen to it the melodies are stuck in our head for days afterward. What's more, the band is a sight to see live, and has the chops to deliver exactly what the record promises. Throw it on, sit back, and relax - this record's about as fun as they get.

Well kids, there you have it - our best of 2009! Now we're off to enjoy a snowy New Year's Even in New York, and we hope you're doing the same, wherever you are. See you next year!

BLK JKS Video Live From SOB's

The good folks over at Afropop have just released a compilation video from BLK JKS SOB's record release last month. While we have to admit that we'd love to see a full song amidst the interviews, it's still a solid look at the band and the killer show they put on. Check it out above!

mp3: BLK JKS - Molalatladi

BLK JKS Played SOB's For Their Record Release - Pictures, Review

Last night we stopped in at SOB's and caught up with South Africa's BLK JKS: the band was on hand to kick off a North American tour and celebrate the release of their first full length record, After Robots. Given the increased production and instrumentation over their debut EP, we were curious how the new material would play out in the live environment. Well, the answer, to put is succinctly, was this: very well.

Before BLK JKS hit the stage, we caught the one-man-show of HIGHLIFE. Wahs Salguod's act consisted of singing, playing guitar, and playing pump organ over a prerecorded/sampled set of backing tracks. While the one-man setup had the effect of reducing stage presence a bit, we certainly still found ourselves digging the set. While we think he could benefit from dragging a band into the mix, we definitely are going to brush up on his recorder output.

From there, we were psyched to get on to the main event. We had caught BLK JKS in San Francisco back in May, and were blown away by the performance. Last night's show had the added advantage of us having heard the band's full length, allowing for a much greater familiarity with the material. Given that some of the band's output can be a tad challenging, familiarity goes a long way in getting into their live show.

Still, even without being versed in the band's output, there's more than a little to appreciate. BLK JKS are simply such a well honed unit, that their performance is a technical wonder to behold. They ebb and flow on the brink of chaos and dischord, while managing to never stumble over the cliff into the abyss. Each of the players is unquestionably adept, but the combination of the four is the real "secret sauce".

What they then do from there is even more remarkable: the band creates a sonic palette that manages to draw upon every genre and context imaginable, and in the process creates something utterly unique. Whether it be Lindani Buthelezi's searing guitars and smooth vocals, Tshepang Ramoba's frenetic drums and sound effects, or simply the entire band's ability to lock into a solid funky groove, it all provided an unparalleled live experience. Go. See it. Now.

mp3: BLK JKS - Molalatladi

BLK JKS Fall 2009 Tour Dates
09/18 Urbana, IL The Canopy Club—Pygmalion Festival
09/19 Madison, WI The Stage Door—Forward Music Festival
09/20 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge
09/21 Chicago, IL The Hideout
09/22 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room
09/24 Minneapolis, MN Global Roots Festival
09/26 Bloomington, IN Lotus Festival
09/29 Washington, D.C. Black Cat

BLK JKS Record Release Is At SOB's Tonight

BLK JKS @ The Independent from the HAD Archive

It's no secret that we here at HAD are huge fans of BLK JKS and their killer debut EP. Well, the good news is, we now have a whole lot more music to dig on: the band's full length After Robots drops today, and it's totally killer. What's more, the band will be celebrating the record's release with a show tonight at SOB's.

We're not going to get bossy and tell you what to do or anything, but rest assured: we certainly hope to see you there.

mp3: BLK JKS - Molalatladi

BLK JKS To Drop First Full Length In September

Probably the most difficult thing about being a BLK JKS fan thus far is that they've only had one EP of material available, and it's frankly nowhere near enough. Well, as of this fall, that problem will be remedied: the band is set to drop their first full length, entitled After Robots, on September 8th. Much like on Mystery, Secret Machines' Brandon Curtis is producing the record, and if the first track is any indication, it's gonna be killer.

"Molalatladi" (which apparently means rainbow in Zulu) is a prime example of the band's totally unique mashed up vibe. Combining a major brass section, shredding guitar lines, and multipart vocals, the track plays like a sonic melting pot. For now, we're satisfied to snag just one new track, but we'd be lying if we didn't say that we're more than a little anxious to get our hands on the full disc. Tasty.

mp3: BLK JKS - Molalatladi

Foreign Born and BLK JKS Played The Independent: Pictures, Review

You may recall that last week we were hyped for the upcoming BLK JKS/Foreign Born show, and what's more had quite a high musical expectations for the event. Suffice it to say, we were not disappointed. Both bands of the co-headlining gig delivered killers sets that served to underscore and expand their sound - exactly the way it should be in a live setting. We walked out of the show feeling that each of these bands, with their diverse and direct sounds, is on the verge of something great.

Foreign Born was up first, and delivered a show that would easily have carried in a venue twice the size of The Independent. The lighting, the band's stage presence, and most of all the music: it was all so tightly knit that you got the distinct impression of a band that is just dying to deliver. There were no compromises, no slip ups: it was an expert rock show.

Front man Matt Popieluch managed to create a stage persona that was difficult to characterize, but completely magnetic to watch. We could attempt to characterize it by saying he was somewhere between Bowie, Dylan, and Beck. Needless to say, we enjoyed his performance and energy more than a little bit.

However, Popieluch was far from the band's only asset in the endeavor. Each member of the six piece unit contributed significantly and meaningfully to the intricately layered sound coming from the stage. The result was a performance that built significantly on their forthcoming record, and took it to the next level. In short, it was a riveting spectacle of polyrhythmic folk-pop-rock that left us wanting more. As in, now.

After Foreign Born delivered such a riveting set, it seemed like BLK JKS might have difficulty measuring up, but such was definitely not the case. The South African quartet delivered a blazing set of their own unique sound, and demonstrated quite clearly why the show was a co-headlining effort.

Perhaps the best way to describe BLK JKS live show is that everything is more present than on the record. While the record is delightfully experimental and filled with waves of sonic experimentation, the live show put much more emphasis on the dynamic of the band. In many ways the live show was a demonstration of the sonic foundation that had yielded the band's sound on tape.

The set also managed to demonstrate just how proficient BLK JKS are as musicians. The four had a clear rapport on stage, and the amount of visual and musical communication created a flow to the set that was intuitive and seamless. In short, it's obvious how the band can come up with such brilliant recordings: They have a musical rapport that transcends any song structure or standard writing guidelines. It's a change of pace that we welcome with open arms.

Like we said, this was a show that left us feeling as though both bands are on the verge of something big. Foreign Born has a full length on tap for release in June, and it's great, we assure you. BLK JKS currently have an EP out and about (yes, we bought the 12"), and are about to announce a forthcoming full length. There's no question that this is an exciting time in music, and these bands are doing some of the most exciting work out there. We can't recommend more strongly that you check them both out.

Many more pictures at the HAD Archive

mp3: Foreign Born - Vacationing People
mp3: BLK JKS - Lakeside

This Friday At The Independent: BLK JKS And Foreign Born

It's tough enough seeing one incredibly solid band in a night, so getting to see two is a real treat. That's why we recommend you get yourself to the Independent on Friday night. Two bands, BLK JKS and Foreign Born, will be playing an evening of music that is certain to deliver. What's more, we're more than a little convinced that both are destined for even bigger things - this could be your best last chance to see them in such a small room.

BLK JKS hail from South Africa, and wear the influence on their sleeve. As such, it'd be easy to pigeonhole them as "world music" and leave it at that. The thing is, there's so much more going on with their music, that to do so would be silly. Their four track EP Mystery is addictive, and draws upon countless musical influences. To name drop a few, we hear everything from Liars, to David Bowie, to Robert Fripp, to Wilco, to TV On The Radio in their sound. It's all underpinned by distinctive African sounds, particularly in the backing vocals and guitar tone, and it is truly unique. We are loving it, to say the least. (Head here for an awesome feature on the band from The Fader)

Foreign Born offer up a sound that is perhaps a little more familiar to western ears, but nonetheless just as compelling. Their most recent LP Person To Person combines percussion driven rock with fantastic guitar hooks and melodies that stick in your head like none other. It's gaining them recognition as press copies get out there, and justifiably so. The record captures a mood and feel that is familiar, but at the same time original and refreshing. Put differently, one listen can quickly turn in to ten or so. The band originally started in San Francisco, but soon moved to LA (We know, we know. Boo. Hiss.). Regardless of your city loyalties, we can assure you that this is a show you'll want to catch.

Tickets are on sale now

mp3: BLK JKS - Lakeside
mp3: Foreign Born - Vacationing People