NEW ARTIST FINDS: KARL KLING

We all get by with a little help from our friends. It takes a village, etc. And alliterating indie artist Karl Kling has got a bada$$ village of friends.

The Portland DJ was one of the founding members of RAC before the Remix Artist Collective became a solo project and full-time moniker for André Allen Anjos. Kling first came on our radar with his guest vocal spot on last year’s “Repeating Motion.” He’s also worked with Mrs. Anjos, Liz who performs under the name Pink Feathers.

Now though Karl is venturing out on his own for something besides just spinning records. Armed with a handful of summery pop songs, Kling hopes that someday soon it’ll be his image that pops up when you Google “Karl Kling” as opposed to the deceased German Formula One racer. His latest single, “Careful,” is a good step in that direction.

KARL KLING “CAREFUL”

Karl Kling is a man of few words and ironic hipster glass. His solo work is getting steadily better and slowly but surely he’s been increasing his output of it. Still though, he leaves those familiar with his work desperate for more. With a natural ear for power-pop hooks, Kling makes music that seems genuinely impossible for someone to dislike.

It’s possible I suppose, but you have to be a pretty crotchety person to begin with. And you probably reside pretty far away from the house of love.

KARL KLING “DEEP IN THE HOUSE OF LOVE”

My favorite thing I’ve discovered about the multitalented Mr. Kling is that he’s credited on Dance or Die (how is that binary decision?), the 2008 LP from our old friends Family Force 5. We’ve all got bills to pay, I guess.

Here’s to hoping the bros from FF5 return the favor on Kling’s inevitable debut record.

(Note: Mr. Kling, if by some chance you’re reading this, please note that the above is a joke. You’re way too talented to be fucking around with this generation’s Carmen. But do get on putting out a proper release, ok?) 

KARL KLING “I WILL WAIT”

About Calvin Paradise

Calvin Paradise manages to live a productive life despite a childhood of home schooling and suffering from what some doctors have called the worst case of Groucho Marx's Syndrome in recorded history.