Native Korean Rock – Rapt

A brilliant demo from Karen O’s short lived ’08 side project.

Read my review of their debut gig here.

MP3: Native Korean Rock – Rapt

Native Korean Rock – OOO

Visit NKR on MySpace.

Enjoy more demos from Karen O’s side project here.

MP3: Native Korean Rock – OOO [alt link]

Native Korean Rock – Indian Summer

I simply can’t get enough of these fabulous demo tracks!

Enjoy ‘Visits’ & ‘Sunset Sun’ here & here.

Last month Karen O explained NKR to NME.

MP3: Native Korean Rock – Indian Summer [alt link]

Native Korean Rock – Sunset Sun

The band made their official debut last week in Brooklyn.

Visit NKR on MySpace.

Enjoy another demo (‘Visits’) here.

MP3: NKR – Sunset Sun [alt link]

Native Korean Rock – Visits

A brilliant demo from Karen O’s new side project.

Read my review of NKR’s debut gig here.

Visit Native Korean Rock on MySpace.

MP3: NKR – Visits [alt link]

After last night’s performances (photos & review here), she had the following words to share: *I felt really nostalgic about playing love songs in New York in the summer because it’s pretty much what I did before Yeah Yeah Yeahs. It’s just what I felt like doing right now so I don’t think there will be any more shows like this. The main thing I’m concentrating on is the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs record, which we’ve been working on for a while and it’s nearly done. It should be out by early next year.*

Visit NKR on MySpace.

MP3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Rich

I was simply ecstatic when word spread late last week that Karen O would be debuting her new side project, Native Korean Rock, at one of Brooklyn’s most beloved & minuscule venues. For just about a half hour, she showcased a collection of love songs on par with the latter tracks from Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Show Your Bones (most notably ‘Warrior’ & ‘Sweets’), backed by a quintet comprised of strings, drums & guitars. While we all know and love Karen for her gravelly howls and mighty stage persona, it’s sometimes easy to forget that her demure side is just as impressive & captivating. The stage was adorned quite eloquently with a Korean flag, ample blue cellophane & a partial ship bow (which read ‘Seoul’). Key elements of Karen’s outfit included roses, fringes & a spectacularly detailed navy blue cap. All in all, an immensely beautiful & touching evening. Visit NKR on MySpace.

(Setlist) Ooo. Body. Visits. Beast. Rapt. Sunset Sun. Comes The Night. Day Go By.

(Encore) Indian Summer. Day Go By [Reprise].

MP3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Turn Into (Acoustic) [alt link]

She shares the following deets: *Native Korean Rock is a side project of mine comprised of a body of love songs written over the last two years, to be performed with a motley crew of NYC natives. Expect high drama, high stakes in two intimate performances. Does Native Korean Rock have anything to do with Yeah Yeah Yeahs? NO Are these the leaked demos of years ago? NO* Download a YYYs track at bottom.

NKR plays Brooklyn’s Union Pool on 7/21. Purchase tix here.

Visit NKR on MySpace.

MP3: YYYs – Art Star