BLK JKS MYSTERY EP RECEIVES CRITICAL ACCLAIM
SPRING/SUMMER TOUR DATES CONFIRMED LIMITED EDITION "MYSTERY" REMIX 12" OUT JULY 7
"Four tracks isn't enough. We need a full CD from these guys—and soon." —New York Daily News
"...MYSTERY emerges as a testament to a global form of cultural exchange." —The New Yorker
 BLK JKS |
Following the March release of their MYSTERY EP and return appearance at South by Southwest, South Africa's BLK JKS (and former "JamBase New Favorite Band") are receiving critical praise from The New York Times, SPIN, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Time Out New York, New York Daily News, LA Weekly and Under the Radar, among others. Now the band will embark on a U.S. tour stretching from Los Angeles to Brooklyn, including an appearance at Sasquatch Music Festival and two nights at The Fillmore at Irving Plaza in New York City opening for Femi Kuti on June 3-4. In the midst of all this activity, Secretly Canadian will release a limited edition club remix 12" by house music guru Osborne for the song "Mystery" on July 7.
BLK JKS came to the U.S. in the spring of 2008 after a chance meeting with über-producer Diplo while he was on tour in South Africa. The band's appearance on the cover of the Fader, as well as sets acclaimed South by Southwest, sparked recording sessions at New York's famed Electric Lady studios that resulted in the MYSTERY EP. The record was produced by Brandon Curtis of The Secret Machines, who came to BLK JKS as a fan of the band.
BLK JKS consists of childhood friends Linda and Mpumi who grew up on the same block in Johannesburg's East Rand where they taught themselves guitar. They initially formed the band in 2000. Early BLK JKS shows and recordings garnered attention for their stacks of guitar drone and head-nodding beats. After the band's current lineup took shape with the addition of bassist Molefi and drummer Tshepang, both of Soweto, they embarked on a schedule of heavy touring throughout South Africa that earned them a loyal national following. The limited edition release of BLK JKS' now out-of-print 2007 "Lakeside" vinyl-only 10" marked the band's international debut, selling at select record stores worldwide.
BLK JKS Tour Dates
05/21/09 Thu Echo Los Angeles, CA
05/22/09 Fri The Independent San Francisco, CA
/23/09 Sat Senator Theatre Chico, CA (w/ Cherine Anderson & Spearhead)
05/24/09 Sun Cuthbert Amphitheatre Eugene, OR (w/ Spearhead & Santigold)
05/25/09 Mon The Gorge George, WA
05/27/09 Wed The Bell House Brooklyn, NY
06/02/09 Tue The Knitting Factory New York, NY
06/03/09 Wed The Fillmore at Irving Plaza New York, NY (w/ Femi Kuti)
06/04/09 Thu The Fillmore at Irving Plaza New York, NY (w/ Femi Kuti)
06/08/09 Mon T.T. the Bear's Place Cambridge, MA
06/09/09 Tue Kung Fu Necktie Philadelphia, PA
06/11/09 Thu Black Cat Washington, DC
07/05/09 Sun Weeksville Heritage Center Brooklyn, NY
If you haven't already, get your dome into this:
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