Karl Blau

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Karl Blau is an American indie rock and country musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. He lives in Philadelphia now, but spent more than twenty years based in Anacortes, Washington. He’s part of the Knw-Yr-Own/K Records community and is known for his DIY approach to recording and releasing music.

Blau’s sound blends many styles, mixing folk and country-rock with blues, reggae, ’70s soul, flutes, bossa nova, dub, and experimental drone into a unique, shifting mix. He began his solo career in 1996 with cassette releases Doin’ Things the Way They Happen and Blue Nomad on Knw-Yr-Own, followed by Shell Collection in 1997. Over the years he has played in bands such as The Microphones, D+, Brothers Blau, Lovers Without Borders, Captain Fathom, and Your Heart Breaks, and he has collaborated with other Washington artists like Phil Elvrum (The Microphones, Mount Eerie) and Laura Veirs.

In 2003 Blau started a mail-order project called Kelp! Monthly to release music to subscribers. It later became KLAPS in 2008, after releases became less regular, and KLAPS produced 32 issues in total.

Blau has released music on labels including Bella Union, Knw-Yr-Own, K Records, and Kelp, and he continues to create and perform. His website is karlblau.com.