Thursday night April 25, Austin’s popular venue Emo’s crowed with anticipating music lovers and
dancers. Await a chance to fall into the French multi-instrumentalist, FKJ, also known as French
Kiwi Juice. Opening the show is Canadian rapper Lou Phelps. He enters the minimal stage with
ease ready to set the mood for the night. He includes the audience by encouraging them to chant
along to every song. When “Come Inside” started to play, the audience swoon and grooved to
the chill bass and smooth loops, one of the highlights of Lou’s set.
An intermission came to place, and I could fully see the intricate set of FKJ. A clear piano was
on the right, incased and filled with neon light. Electric guitars and basses of all shapes and sizes
waited behind the looping pads, synths, and keyboards. It looked as if we stepped into the artists
personal studio. Truly a musical master’s playground. The lights went dim the room filled with a
wave of synth. To my surprise, three mesh screens lowered from the ceiling, and projectors
started to flash and flicker black and white images on the screens. FJK walked on to the stage,
his piano the only source of light as it glittered and pulsed. He began to play an intricate
improvisation, welcoming his audience to a night to dance and electronic soul. The venue was
filled to the brim by then -bodies clustered and groups danced in excitement.
I was blown away at FKJ’s talent and effortlessness. Each song was gracefully performed and
articulated with every instrument on the stage- obviously second nature to him. At one moment
he was playing the bass guitar and the next he pulled out a Saxophone and serenaded us with an
entire solo. This was the entire night, not one song disappointed. He also surprised us with some
new songs-which I can’t wait to be released soon. There was always something to look at and
listen to within the deep and layering nature of the performance. Definitely a night of
mesmerizing soundscape.
Photo Gallery
Photography by: Majesty Rich
