In addition to having a scary-seminal catalog including songwriters like Elliot Smith, Quix*o*tic, Sleater Kinney and the Decemberists, noise and no-wave like Bikini Kill, Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, OOIOO, Men’s Recovery Project (that list goes on and on and span’s KRS’ 5RC imprint, one of the best record label imprints in the U.S.), and artistically daring audio works by the likes of Kathy Acker and Miranda July, KILL ROCK STARS is one of those rare record labels over 10 years old (gee, close to 15) that has never stopped taking chances, never lost its credibility, and managed to survive.
In another interesting and unexpected rivulet of reinvention, Kill Rock Stars is venturing into modern dance. You heard it on Stylus first (or maybe second, but you heard it *better* here…first…). Given the relationship between experimental music and modern dance going back to the days when John Cage and David Tudor began collaborating with Merce Cunningham, it makes sense that as the high art of sound art became the domain of a sexier low art (I mean “low” in the best possible way) that the union between art-dance and art-rock make itself manifest. To date such things have been given over mostly to the Sigur Ros’ and Radiohead’s of the world (not quite the same) or individual artists being thanklessly passed over by the few critical eyes that pay attention. Now that a record label of unimpeachable taste and cred is getting behind modern dance, maybe it’ll become ok for people to pay attention.
KRS will release “Starter Set: New Dance and Music for the Camera”, a seven part DVD (details at the end of this post). In promotion of this event, producers Slim Moon (KRS founder) and Katie Eastburne (of Young People), are coming out to New York, dancers in tow, to put on a live music and dance event at the newly revitalized Tonic on MAY 12. Some of my best friends are dancers - no really. Here’s the skinny…
Thursday, May 12, 2005 at Tonic, NYC, located at 107 Norfolk Street between Delancey and Rivington Streets.
Doors: 8 pm.
Live performance of a new dance by Katie Eastburn, with Emily Manzo performing John Cage’s Suite for Toy Piano.
DVD premiere screening
and live performances by:
Free Blood (featuring members of !!!) and Roxy Pain.
DJs John Pugh, Wolfy, and KayRock, other suprise guests, potentially
Starter Set is a seven part DVD. A brief description is as follows:
Chapter 1.
DNA: Blood Memory
Choreography: Jane Paik aka Janet Pants (of Janet Pants Dans Theeatre/Leg and Pants Dans Theeatre) (sic)
Chapter 2.
Your Grave
Choreography: Ryan Heffington
Music: Katie Eastburn (of Young People) Remixed by Matt Sims, aka Mount Sims.
Chapter 3.
In Can Can Descent
Choreographer and Music: Lindsay Beamish (of Janet Pants Dans Theeatre/Leg and Pants Dans Theeatre) (sic)
Chapter 4.
Senior Picture
Choreography: Katie Eastburn
Music: “Miracle”: Aaron Hemphill (Liars)
Emily Manzo (First Lady of Kuntry & the
Kunts)
Jarrett Silberman (Young People)
Chapter 5.
Laundroddyssey
Director: Dana Edell
Music: Vaz
Chapter 6.
I’m The Insides
Director: Lindsay Beamish
Chapter 7.
The Making Of
-Includes documentaries for chapters 1-6, plus interviews.