Since its inception in 1986, Lambchop has become synonymous with originality and quality on the independent music scene. Originally labelled 'alt-country,' the music of Lambchop has in fact encompassed a plethora of influences over the years, ranging from soul to jazz to electronica. The line-up may have changed over the years – from larger to smaller group ensembles, from acoustic instruments to drum machines and vocoder – but the one constant throughout this evolution has been Kurt Wagner: the singer, songwriter, and beating heart of Lambchop.
Lambchop's latest incarnation is its most intimate yet: the Prague Sounds audience will have the chance to hear them in a stripped-down duo format, which sees Wagner joined by pianist Andrew Broder, who has himself carved out a niche in the music world both as a producer and as frontman of the the experimental band Fog. The duo's minimal arrangements of Lambchop songs bring to the fore the emotional depth and power of this classic material, and the setting – Prague's atmospheric X10 theatre – provides a rare opportunity to experience Wagner's undoubted charisma at close quarters.
'Like nothing else right now.'
Guardian
Wagner and Broder worked together on Lambchop's most recent records The Bible and Showtunes (2021, 2022), exquisitely crafted albums in a career that is full of them: from the early alt-country inventions of Thriller and What Another Man Spills (1997, 1998) to the chamber beauty of Is a Woman (2002) and the swerve into electronica of 2016's FLOTUS. Lambchop made their Czech debut at Prague Sounds (then Strings of Autumn) in 2017, and this year's highly-anticipated concert is their first in the country since then. Lambchop have played everywhere from the Barbican and Royal Festival Hall in London to Vienna Konzerthaus and New York's Carnegie Hall, as well as at major festivals the world over. This year at Prague Sounds – both musically and venue-wise – promises to be as intimate as it gets.
Line-up
Kurt Wagner – vocals
Andrew Broder – piano