KEXP New Home Grand Opening: Samaris

KEXP New Home
04/16/2016
Scott Kulicke
photo by Amber Knecht

Icelandic heartthrobs Samaris are familiar to KEXP's most loyal fans, but they were clearly a surprise and a radical departure to the newcomers. The trio - vocalist, clarinetist, and beat maker/DJ - had the burden of having to follow-up Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings inside the Gathering Space, but they immediately rose to the challenge.

photo by Amber Knecht

After having been cooked in the sun dancing to the funky soul, Samaris washed us with their downtempo, ambient trip hop beats, with lilting angelic vocals and long, woody clarinet wails.

photo by Amber Knecht

photo by Amber Knecht

It was a perfect compliment to the day's sets, a quirky, electronic touch to a day filled with rock and guitars. People enjoyed a break from the sun, but anyone expecting a break from dancing was surely disappointed.

photo by Matthew B. Thompson

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