Kenny Larkin Added by Goedie, 14 March 2004
Stand up comedy and music. Two entirely different forms of expression that share hardly any similarities. In the case of Larkin, they have everything to do with each other, because Larkin glides between the two effortlessly, and with aplomb. For the last few years, Larkin has been on a self-imposed, music hiatus, in order to pursue his comedy career in some of the biggest comedy clubs in L.A, inching his way closer to a prized regular spot at one of the top 3 clubs. Larkin accomplishes this while maintaining a hectic schedule of spinning records across the globe for his many fans built throughout the years.
Once his comedy career was established, Larkin turned his focus back to his music. The year 2004 will prove to be, quite arguably, the best year for Larkin with regards to his music. Larkin has completed two genre-bending, beautifully sculpted projects for release. In early March
2004, Peacefrog Records is slated to release the first album. This release goes against what has all but destroyed the term techno in recent years. For so many, the term "techno" signifies all that is harsh, abrasive, and noisy in dance music. But there are those, like Larkin, for whom that reductive definition will not do. His first new offering in 6 years, entitled "The Narcissist", constantly reminds the listener that melody and rhythm are not mutually exclusive categories. That their intersection is the space where the imagination truly takes hold.
The uncompromising modernity he injects into this body of work, thrusts him into an indefinable genre of electronic music. Those who know Larkin’s style, know he is a man who sets no definable limits in his music. Terms like techno soul, funky, jazzy, ambient, come to mind, but still does little justice in describing what this album accomplishes. Without slipping into the self-absorbed excesses characterizing so much electronic music today, Larkin emphasizes what many electronic artists’ today never dreamt of making. That is great music. If you are at all interested in where electronic music has traveled and where it is going, look to Larkin in 2004.
Performances
Solar weekend, 13 August 2005
Maasplassen, Roermond
Global Kitchen, 4 February 2005
Winkel van Sinkel, Utrecht
The night of the Motorcity Detroit, 2 April 2004
Off Corso, Rotterdam
Mainstage, 25 April 2003
Escape, Amsterdam