Their name is one word—KaiserCartel—but this Brooklyn-based acoustic duo is a twosome in the strictest sense of the word. "We met at the Knitting Factory," explains Courtney Kaiser. "We were both playing shows on the main stage but with separate bands: Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel. We swapped albums after the show and didn't see each other again until a few months later. After we exchanged some emails, we set a date to hang out, and we've been playing together every since."

Fittingly, their dreamy sound belies the simple harmony of this origin story—soft, sensitive indie folk, set to obscure, yet catchy lyrics. "I think we have a good idea of where the two of us meet musically," says Cartel. "Bringing our sound together as a pair has been a natural culmination." And nowhere is this more evident than on stage; the connection between the couple is brought to life when they play live, surrounded by...stuffed animals. It sounds silly because it is, and in the wrong hands could come off as precious, but somehow KaiserCartel makes their army of toys work like magic on the audience, bringing out their inner kids with infectious indie lullabies.

Want to check out these Pied Pipers in person? KaiserCartel is playing songs from their new album, March Forth, at a free show at Red Hook coffee shop Baked tomorrow night at 7 p.m. "Red Hook is the only neighborhood I have ever lived in since moving to New York a little over six years ago," explains Kaiser. "When we were asked to play, I was really excited because we were going to be playing for our community. Also, Baked really does have the best baked goods!"

For more information please visit www.kaisercartel.com.

- Kathryn Eisenberg

Similar Topics:couple, indie folk, music

comments (0) : Send to a Friend : Subscribe

:  digg this :  del.icio.us! :