People of K

The name may not mean anything yet, however People of K should, if there is any justice in the world; become a household name, not just in their native Scandinavia but in the ‘capital of music culture’ of Liverpool where ultimately these things matter. People of K opened the St. Luke’s, locally known as the bombed out church, session part of the Sound City weekend in the relative daylight afforded by the May gloom and took the moment to stride in the path of legends and in a word be fantastic.

Other bands will play in the eerie, almost gothic feel of a church that symbolises Liverpool’s recent past and its pride and fortitude in resistance to those that want to see the city on its knees, however none will have the pleasure of opening with such enthusiasm and incredible eclectic music. As with other groups during Sound City, it will be a shame for those that trundle around taking in group after group, venue after venue, to only have a half hour to take in the music and form an opinion. For those that made their way to the bombed out church to see Elin Grande, Erik Wood and Vegard Lauvdal from Sweden and Norway respectfully, they saw an extremely impressive and well conducted set, if unfortunately too short.

With only a few songs to play in the short time available, the music the People of K played added to the overriding ethos of Liverpool Sound City’s approach in which to play quickly, incredibly and with passion. Their set list included the songs Moonlight, Downtown and the very beautiful Sigh.

If any band deserves greater recognition for their time at Liverpool Sound City then the Scandinavian trio of People of K will surely be taken to the hearts of those music lovers in Liverpool. - Liverpool Live

The Swedish People of K are an entirely different monster from the Inc.A folk, but have similarities in their inspiring fresh take on playing and writing music, their aesthetic take on mellow Hip-Hop and Electronica rhythms and their clear passion for what they do. All of this makes their stage presence a unique and powerful event in itself. Audible references can be heard in Massive Attack, Portishead, Bjork, and, to a lesser extent, Amorphus Androgynous.Their lead singer, Erik Wood, muses brooding melodies that seem to simply lace over the insistent and dark layers of sound that lie beneath his voice.

Drummer Vegard Lauvdal and Cellist Elin Grande simply carve themselves a whole new atmosphere in which to perform, with Vegard playing with precision and passion and Elin simply draping staccato rhythms and perfect dynamics atop the percussive peaks that are provided. An example of this staccato dynamism can clearly be heard in the track “Lately”, which is a favourite of mine from this blissful performance that I’m ecstatic to have witnessed. I would personally urge anybody to broaden their musical horizons with this troupe and witness their unique stylings on stage. They simply stir the air that surrounds them. Dark, graceful, insistent and beautiful, these guys will attack your senses. Never have I been more proud to be sucked into the void with People of K for a night. They made a mess of my soul. - Mangoneblog