Kaiser Cartel

The Brooklyn-based duo Kaiser Cartel, made up of Courtney Kaiser and Benjamin Cartel, have been creating luscious harmonies and infectious melodies together since 2004. Both write, sing, and play multiple instruments on the albums and on-stage. Courtney a former member of John Mellencamp's band and classically trained vocalist; Benjamin a DIY, self-taught musician. Each had their own solo projects well underway when they met, but the pairing was an unmistakable success. Warming hearts and bones with their delicate and sensual but nonetheless punchy folk-pop, Kaiser Cartel has been going nearly non-stop since the release of their debut record March Forth in 2008. They left their day jobs and began touring the US in a silver Prius named Gertie. The duo's national following quickly spread, aided by key performances at festivals and in support of Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, aqualung and Carrie Rodriguez. They've enjoyed playing the Monolith Festival at Red Rocks, the 80-35 Festival in Des Moines, dozens of SXSW showcases and a Daytrotter Session recorded as the EP Rock Island. Critics have touted their charming and intimate live shows as "not to be missed." In an interview for the Brattleboro Reformer, Courtney said, "When we play live, we try to reach every person intimately through our music. We want something to change for them after the show has finished." On television and video Kaiser Cartel's music has also met with great success. The band's music was featured during the MTV show Exiled and the Discovery Channel's Alter-Eco. Two songs from March Forth were chosen for episodes one and two of HBO's Bored to Death and "Dog Stars" was on Private Practice. The band's video for "Oh No" can be seen on Vh1.com, the video for "Okay" was shown at Slamdance and the "Blue Sky" video won "Best Music Video" at the Coney Island Film Fest. This year, Kaiser Cartel decided to take advantage of Pledge Music, an online platform that allows artists to raise money directly from fans in order to put out albums or fund tours, rather than going through a label. On their Pledge Music page, Kaiser Cartel invites fans to help them release their second record, offering a variety of gifts to those who pledge money, from receiving an early release of the album, to signed memorabilia, to a private show anywhere in the world for a $6000 pledge. The band also committed to donating 15% of the total collected, to the Art of Conservation, an organization that works with villages in Rwanda teaching children the importance of conservation and whom they've worked closely with over the past year. Kaiser Cartel's song, "Sow a Little," is featured as the soundtrack to a video on the organization's website which shows a group of children planting trees to help restore gorilla habitat. The band is committed to sharing their music with as many people as possible and believes that music is a universal language. Sharing their proceeds with the Art of Conservation is just another way that Kaiser Cartel walks the walk - like driving a Prius on tour - standing up for what they believe in. Secret Transit, their sophomore effort produced by Matt Hales (aqualung) and Ben Hales, carries the same intimate feel that attracted listeners to March Forth, but with an expanded notion of home. Secret Transit is an invitation to a universe of experience - akin to attending a family dinner or sharing a long road trip - one of those moments that allows you to see what really makes someone who they are. The new music has a cyclical feel to it, alternating between dark and light. Benjamin and Courtney feel that the new album reflects the way they each have grown as individuals in the time since the last album came out. Secret Transit was made on the go and the album shows a deep reflection of this transient kind of life. Benjamin and Courtney started recording new music in London then continued as they crossed the US with stops in New York, Indiana, Minneapolis and LA, returning to London once again for final mixing. They recorded sounds along the way with a handheld tape recorder - birdsong, water trickling and other moving sounds made their way into the mix, adding nuance and complexity to the songs' orchestration. The new record was recorded in the middle of the night in Blackheath, London, in an old church built in 1839. The church is surrounded by a green meadow that no one is allowed to build on or dig into because legend has it that many black plague victims were buried there. The echoes of the church, the subtle genius of Matt & Ben Hales production techniques and experiments with ambient sounds never compete with the souls of the songs, but rather complement the mood and add depth. The sweet and crisp "Memphis" is hopeful in the face of isolation and death. Written about a visit to Memphis, TN where they met a musician who tells them story of his friend who came back to from prison, tried to change his life, but tragically died. On the thunderous "Carroll Street," a tambourine rings straight out of Pet Sounds, while Courtney's golden voice breaks through the rhythmic pounding with lovely control and power. "Carroll Street" harkens back to an earlier era with it's repeated demands, "Meet me at the Carroll Street station." It reminds us of days before cell phones and smart devices when meeting spots were sacred. Secret Transit shows the maturity of two artists who are constantly working on their craft and inspired by new experiences. The new album has a more ethereal mood, with more complex, layered sounds than the last one, but the best loved aspects of Kaiser Cartel remain, with unforgettable harmonies, charming melodies and songs so catchy you'll find yourself singing along even if you don't know the words.