Joseph Karr – Castle

Joseph Karr was once described as “an accidental musician of the eeriest sort,” and for an artist who defies description, that’s as good as any. Around here, we’ve also been known to call him the dark prince of Annapolis. And a goddamn genius.

When he first began performing publicly, it was as if William Burroughs and Harry Connick, Jr. had a bastard child. Or Tom Waits had never smoked. Or Beck had watched “All That Jazz” too many times. Under his former moniker of Joking, Joe made curious cabaret noir style music that took some time to get your arms around. An adventurous tour through jazz, traditional pop, and abstract poetry, he maintained an approach that refused to be pigeonholed.

Today, his music is taking a more pop-centered approach without losing any of its edge. Self-produced with tasty electronic touches, the songs remain ethereal, textural, and wholly original but in a more accessible way than ever before.

Both shimmering and reflective, “Castle” just may be the best thing he’s ever done.

Joseph Karr – Castle

The first line of “Dublemint” says, “I want to make this nice.” He does.

Just for good measure, here’s a few Joking favorites from deeper in his catalogue.

Joking – My Parade

Joking – Perfect Drag

Grab more music on his website. While you’re there, check out the artwork and photography that’s made him an underground icon in the Annapolis art scene.

More stuff on MySpace.

~ by undergroundwednesday on December 3, 2009.