Bad Magic - koritfw

The duo Bad Magic, featuring the enchanting Julie Karr as well as Jimmy Held (White Laces), has released an album with tracks engineered by Allen Bergendahl (Scott’s Addition Sound).  Known for her intimate acoustic performances, Karr takes things to the next level with electric garage rock.  Held plays drums, and his rhythms are nasty.  Karr’s lusty alto belts out the dark melodies, and we don’t even miss the bass.  Held actually plays bass on the last track, “Cool Hand,” but it’s so soft and low on the neck that it barely counts.  Other tracks like “Sympathy Card” have riffs designed around a lower-end guitar, but for the most part, it’s treble and percussion all the way.

The coolest part of this album is the singability.  Karr’s catchy airs will get you to sing along, even if you’re not a vocalist.  “You got the cruelest heart/You don’t even know,” she cries in “Cruelest Heart.” She’s got this gospel quality as well, which sort of floods every song with this intense spiritual sense.  Well done, guys.

photo by PJ Sykes Photography

Julie Karr - Acoustic Witch

Songstress Julie Karr is back with a tiny EP of three cover songs.  If you’re like me, though, you can’t look at the picture that goes with it too long.  Is that Julie with clown makeup as a child?  Either way it’s a little too creepy but totally seasonally-appropriate. 

The bands Karr covers are Big Business, Shellac, and Electric Wizard.  Karr puts her own spin on the tunes with breathy, punctuated vocals.  Karr has a tendency to sing a note full force at first and then back off by the end of the note to a whisper.  It’s a beautiful sound. Listen to “We Hate You” by Electric Wizard for classy fret noise and a soulful take on stoner metal. 

Tim Barry - “Adele and Hell”

This video, taken at The Camel at the end of June by J. Law, shows Tim Barry performing with Josh Small, Julie Karr, and Andrew Alli on stage.  Barry is about to go to Australia, but not before playing Baltimore this weekend (7/28). 

Julie Karr in a van on tour - 5/26/12 (video by Chrissy Piper)

Miss Karr is currently on tour with Tim Barry, and she recently made this video during some down time.  Hauntingly beautiful.

Julie Karr & Wess Brockman - “ACR”

This is a new Julie Karr tune with Wess Brockman (Fire Bison) on drums and backing vocals.  Karr just played a show on Wednesday at Six Burner, so keep your eyes peeled for more announced RVA shows.  In the meantime, Karr is getting ready to embark on tour:

4/13- Asbury Lanes (NJ) Record release for Tim Barry w. Josh Small and Andrew Alli.
WEST COAST all shows with TIM BARRY & KEVIN SECONDS
5/25- Long Beach, CA @ Alex’s Bar
5/26- Tempe, AZ @ Yucca Tap House
5/28- San Diego, CA @ Casbah’s
5/29- Ventura, CA @ Zoey’s Cafe
5/30- San Francisco @ Thee Parkside
6/1- TBA
6/2- Seattle, WA @El Corazon Lounge

Julie Karr - “Hush” (not quite sure on that)

Celebrate the Richmond Folk Festival a day early (and from actual local folk acts) at the Playhouse on Friday (10/14) night (8:30-11:30).  The engaging and adorable Karr (pictured below) will play there along with:

The Salts (feat. Marcus Hodges of Red Clay River)

Alison Self (“uke till you puke”) and

Isaac Ramsey (Swordplay, Double Rainbow)

This is sure to be a treat.