music – Kai Strandskov Music

November 12, 2022November 17, 2022

Ping Pong Pang

I’m very pleased to announce the release of this record. On one beautiful, sunny Seattle day, the three of us converged at Jack Straw Cultural Center and recorded whatever was to happen. What resulted was this surprising collection of improvisations. I find there’s a certain perfect balance that results from a triangle of improvisors. Just enough collaborators to close a circuit of inspiration. Few enough that we can easily communicate and respond to whatever transpires. In this session, you’ll hear how ideas bounced, ricocheted, collided, and vibrated as we created music together. I hope you enjoy!

Also, special thanks to Scott Schaffer for creating a felicitous environment for improv.

Check out Ping Pong Pang right now, featuring Amy Denio, James Hoskins, and myself Kai Strandskov.

November 23, 2021November 23, 2021

Video from Rumba Kings at the Triple Door

Recently I was honored to perform with the Rumba Kings at the Triple Door. Two sold out nights of emotional Mediterranean music, November 19th and 20th, 2021.

Here is one excerpt from the second night. Our rendition of Nothing Else Matters by Metallica. Enjoy!

https://fb.watch/9sRPz2Pr1f/

More videos are being added on social media and on the band website.

July 30, 2021November 23, 2021

The Rumba Kings at the Triple Door

Please join me for an evening of Mediterranean music at the Triple Door. Two nights! This is quite a unique an expansive production, featuring dancers, a string quintet, guest singers, and other surprises. I will be performing on doumbek and tapan.

November 19 and 20, 2021 at the Triple Door

More info about the show, and tickets.

More info about The Rumba Kings.

I hope to see you there! Note: booths are about sold out, so grab those tix now to get the full experience.

September 16, 2019February 20, 2021

Spasmo demo

Update on what’s happening with Spasmo — we have a demo! And we’re writing more music in prep for an upcoming album. I’m looking forward to sharing more when it’s solid! Stay tuned.

March 14, 2018August 2, 2020

Rock lottery, part 3

Continued from part 2. This was our last song from that night. Enjoy.

March 7, 2018August 2, 2020

Rock Lottery, Part 2

Continued from part 1, this is the second song. As with the others, this took about 2 hours to write. It was rad to see us playing in such completely different styles.

February 28, 2018August 2, 2020

Rock lottery, part 1

On January 13, I drew 4 random names out of a hat and wrote 3 songs with them. We performed them that night at the Crocodile. In the hours between, I felt like we really came together like family. No egos, just music. It was an enlightening day! You can write a song in 2 hours, folks. Here’s the first song:

March 29, 2017August 2, 2020

roboRt

May 23, 2014

FolkLife 2014

Hey, just a quick update on Folklife 2014! I have my performance schedule this year so I just want to briefly share that.

Saturday

12:30pm — The m9 — busking nearish the statue between EMP and Seattle Center. We play Serbian Brass music. Lots of horns and drums.

6pm — Bucharest Drinking Team — at the Fountain Lawn Stage by the beer garden. We’re a party band, so be prepared for that. And then the Balkan Misfits showcase continues the rest of the evening!

9pm — The Debaucherauntes — afterparty at the Conor Byrne in Ballard, with a bunch more cool bands. We do Klezmer. There will be other Americana type music going on.

Sunday

3pm — The Debaucherauntes — We’re doing our thang again at Folklife, as part of a whole Klezmer showcase

Monday

3:30pm — The m9 — more busking in the same place!

So that’s the schedj. I have to say, this is the first year that I am more of a performer and less of a fan. It’s kind of a big milestone for me on a personal level, although I will seriously be sad to miss all my friends doing their thing. There is some amazing music going on all weekend, so I hope you set aside time to hang out for the whole thing.

What to check out all weekend

Songs of Maritime Disasters, Fabulous Downey Brothers, Garfield Jazz Ensemble, the Tallboys, Annie Ford Band, Country Lips, New Klezmer Army, Croation Showcase, Bakelite 78, Skitnik, EuroDancePartyU$A, Radost, Orkestar Zirkonium, Juliana and Pava, Onefourfive, Dunava, Balkanarama, The Bad Things, The Lonely Coast, and much more.

Busy weekend! I hope to see you!

January 3, 2014August 2, 2020

Bucharest Drinking Team on iTunes and Spotify

Happy New Year! Hey folks, I just wanted to let you know that Bucharest Drinking Team music is now available on iTunes and free streaming on Spotify. Crank these up right now!

We recorded these (mostly) live at Bani-Love Recording studios in the midst of the Columbia City Theater. We threw a 2 day party and just recorded the heck out of ourselves within that amazing sounding hall that we love so much.

Let me know what you think. And what songs we should record next.