These days there are powerful performances pocketed within the vast interstitial weave of the interweb.  One pocket that we keep reaching into and coming out gold-pieces is Radio K, the fab, student-run radio station out of the University of Minnesota.  We particularly grift to the gold to be found in Radio K’s In-Studio Performances.

Most recently, Radio K caught Montreal’s Handsome Furs delivering with palpable verve in-studio, including gratuitous laser effects.  The Furs are the married team of Dan Boeckner (formerly of the worthy Wolf Parade) on vocals and guitar and Alexei Perry on synths and beats.  We were introduced to the Handsome ones by the late, great Kenny Harbaugh (and his Sub Pop pals) in the form of the (highly recommended) 2007 record, “Plague Park.” We’ve been hooked since.  The Furs have just released a new album “Sound Kapital” on Sub Pop and recently hit Radio K in support.

Check out a couple of Radio K’s Handsome captures below, buy the new album, and then catch the un-psychedelic Furs when they came to Cali between September 1st and 4th (at the Echo Plex in LA on the 2nd and Slim’s in SF on the 3rd).  We particularly like the energy that the band brings to the In-Studio on Bury Me Standing (of course there are added loops and backing tracks that embellish the sound, but the duo compels nonetheless).  And their performance of the song What About Us? brings the question to life.  Check in particular the song-within-a-song chorus that begins at 2:43.  Come on and break our hearts indeed.    

Live on Radio K: Handsome Furs – “Bury Me Standing” from Radio K on Vimeo.

And here’s What About Us?:

Live on Radio K: Handsome Furs – “What About Us?” from Radio K on Vimeo.