I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been searching the internet for a band to be my “new phase” and get caught off guard by some elitist rebel, abrasively ranting about their so-called hard knock lives as an outcast. The Indie Rock crowd is usually the first to gnaw at my ear drums. But all music has a place in my life, whether it’s keeping me going on one of my midnight runs, or getting me ready for class, and I continue to search for the undiscovered. So as my eyes scan past the Indie genre label to a picture of the lanky, shaggy-haired duet with raccoon-like painted faces, I was skeptical to say the least.
But my negativity was slapped in the face by the element of surprise the moment their song started to play. The soft-toned, innocent voice of Khaela Maricich is personable, and floats effortlessly above the symphony of electronic pop music. Not knowing anything about this new trend of technological melody, I was content to learn that it’s nothing like Justin Timberlake on crack, which is what I would have expected from electronic pop music, but much more soothing and almost peaceful. Their sensible lyrics bring the whole experience to life and honestly, ever since I‘ve discovered this group; all I’ve wanted to do it make parentheses in the deli isle, which if you don’t understand you should visit their Myspace profile and let it hit you.
The combination of lyrics, voice and music is easily tropical, yet edgy and daringly punk. Each song, like a teenager in puberty, is remarkable similar to something you once knew, but reflects a distinct mood. This is enhanced by the range that the music is allowed to take you, and there is brilliance in the way these songs make room for individual insight. For me, it was somewhat like a trip down memory lane; oh, the beauty of nostalgia. Khaela sings about the simplicity of love pitted against the tragedy of life, which no matter what walk of life you come from, is something we all can relate to. Don’t get me wrong, this is not the type of music I would be hype about at any club, but in the privacy of my own home, it makes me want to be completely corny and dance around the room, or lie on my back on the floor and eat Lucky Charms out of the box. It seems to bring out the most classic randomness.
The Blow will definitely be my new infatuation on a rainy day. I scroll up to look at the two band members again, and I get it. They are defying other’s expectations and living up to their own. Biographically, both band members are deeply rooted in the entertainment industry, from visual art and performance to technological genius, Khaela and her partner Jona Bechtolt bring a fresh sound and endless creativity to a sometimes close-minded industry. Being new to the Indie scene myself, I marvel at the diversity and range of its language and am equally impressed by its ability to convey emotion. Maybe it has something to do with their tight pants, maybe I’ll never know. But whatever it is, The Blow’s got it. 
(Current Standing ~ 3 out of 5)
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October 3rd, 2006 at 7:40 am
awesome. good find…
October 3rd, 2006 at 1:22 pm
I first heard of The Blow when I saw they were opening for Architecture In Helsinki. I checked out their MySpace page and I haven’t been able to stop listening. If you want to hear more of them, their album Poor Aim: Love Songs is free to download from their record label at http://www.krecs.com look for a link on the front page.
October 3rd, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Just a side note to the above comment, the album will only be available until the 24th of October, when their new album, Paper Televison, is released.
October 27th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
I second mike’s comment
November 4th, 2006 at 11:50 pm
…and not one joke about blow-jobs or doing blow or how the band blows? Jeez, even after she went through all the trouble giving her website a .us instead of a .com? For shame!