Check out the Laarks! While we hear that Eau Claire, WI is a hotbed of indie rock, this is the first band we know of to come out of there. Have a listen. We know you’ll love it.

Laarks was born to fill a void. Singer, songwriter and keyboard player Ian Jacoby and drummer Brian Moen began collaborating after the dissolution of previous projects (most notably Moen drummed with Amateur Love and DeYarmond Edison, which spawned bands Bon Iver and Megafaun). As old friends emigrated south(and then to northern hunting cabins, but that’s another story…), Jacoby and Moen began crafting songs togetherin a cold, damp Wisconsin basement, eventually enlisting Kyle Flater to play guitar and additional keys,and Zach Hanson to play bass.

Their latest record, not surprisingly, is a huge hit. An Exaltation of Laarks isn’t so much a laudation of the band as it is a summons to experience the exuberance and passion of finely crafted pop songs executed with contagious energy, and in stunning fidelity (especially considering the band did it themselves, from 2” tape to album art). Listening to the record is like flying a keyed kite in a thunderstorm, soaring on textured choruses and layered buildups, waiting for the lighting to strike just to feel it course through your body to your melted soles.

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