As discerning music fans know, whenever down-tempo music draws comparisons to superstar bands such as Coldplay, U2 or the exhaustively referenced Radiohead, it’s often best to steer clear. Fortunately the similarly mellow Kyoto Beat Orchestra, which uses an amalgam of instruments to construct its music, sounds like none of the aforementioned acts. The duo manages to capture the finest moments of its obvious influences—Portishead, Subtle, Sigur Rós and Cocteau Twins—without sounding derivative and dated. From Northwest jaunts and monthly gatherings at the band’s favorite local haunt, Marilyn’s, Kyoto Beat Orchestra has garnered enough buzz to warrant an indie-label bidding frenzy. You can catch the band (again) at Marilyn’s, located at 908 K Street, on Friday at 8 p.m., opening for Dre. Do it now before the group gets whisked away forever. Tickets are just $8, and the hard-to-find Sac City beers are on tap. Who could ask for more?
(SN&R)