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The Blow

Musician

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She makes you feel like you can make your own music too.

Mar 12, 2009

by kristina

Rating:

The Blow is Khaela Maricich (though a dude, Jona Bechtolt, aka YACHT, plays with her sometimes). Maybe you've heard of her? She's put out a few records, mostly on K Records [a few: the Bonus Album (2002); The Concussive Caress, Or, Casey Caught Her Mom Singing Along With the Vacuum (2003); Poor Aim: Love Songs (2005); Paper Television (2006)].

What I love about The Blow, and about most artists on K Records, is that they make you feel like music is accessible, that you can be a musician too, that anyone can, and that it doesn't matter how great your voice is as long as you're creative, have fun, and don't care what other people think. My voice totally sucks, but I have no qualms with singing along with Khaela because it's not like she's Aretha Franklin or Patsy Cline.

The Blow is playful, childlike, and wonderful. She once played in my friend's basement after I interviewed her for a magazine article I wrote. It was Election Day 2004 and she couldn't find anywhere else in Chicago to play. That's how DIY she is. Check her out at a FADER party:

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DesignDude March 12, 2009

Yeah!

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DesignDude March 12, 2009

There's a lot more to be said for Maricich's folk punk take on club music, which brings everything from transformative DIY aesthetic to standing up to the male gaze into the discussion. Just saying. But you can also upload YouTube video directly to Lunch, if you like. @Scotman makes very good use of video in his reviews.

kristina March 12, 2009

totally agree. perhaps i'll add more to my opinion of her, but what strikes me most, personally, about her work is her example of what a musician is. anything can be music, even a little kids' play game ("little sally tutorial" from the Bonus Album).

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About the reviewer

Kristina Francisco (kristina)
Ranked #428

I'm an editor, writer, and lady.