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How to describe (K-RAA-K)³ ?

(K-RAA-K)³ is a grass-roots organisation that offers presentation and development possibilities in left field music. It's hard to describe the functioning of (K-RAA-K)³ because the combination of our work strategies differs from most other organisations. We see ourselves as a quality platform, a promotor for young artists who are working within uncommon genres as avant-rock, psych, experimental electronica, free-jazz, new folk, improdrones,... We organise small 'lab-evenings', bigger presentation moments and creation possibilities. With a monthly mini-magazine we also try to support the experimental scene with documentation and promotion. Therefor we could be called a new style music organisation that tries to work within a variety of niches and tries to support those niches and their artists as good as possible. (K-RAA-K)³ and adventure are a synonymic. We want to surprise, present new stuff, or approach music from alternative direction. The most important arguments for our artistic choices are how captivating or innovative the bands are.

What does (K-RAA-K)3 do?

Three festivals a year:
- (K-RAA-K)3 festival, in Brussels,
- the music programmation for shortfilm festival Courtisane festival at Vooruit in Ghent ,
- three-day festival Pauze at Vooruit in Ghent
We organize twenty smaller concerts in smaller concerts in Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp
We publish the free monthly magazine Ruis
We release about five records a year, mostly Belgian artists

Our history

(K-RAA-K)³ was founded from the ashes of the Flemish underground tapelabel Toothpick. (K-RAA-K)³ wanted to be an eccentric international label and, because of that, founded friendships with alike-minded micro-organisations quite easily. Within a climate of sharing information and experience, (K-RAA-K)³ started doing distribution and and promotion for other labels in the Benelux. This double activity became financially too heavy and in the spring of 2002 (K-RAA-K)³ continued as a label and concert organisation only. With a minimal budget (K-RAA-K)³ gained an excellent reputation and popularity in our home country and abroad. The Flemish gouvernement noticed this and agreed to support the organisation. The support was more than welcome and led to a new boost. After ten years of experience (K-RAA-K)³ tries -more than ever- to be a trademark for an open, innovative music culture.

Some quotes from the press...

“The (K-RAA-K)³ festival brings you the top of the new musical thinking.” - Hans van der Linden, Kindamuzik, 3/2005
“(K-RAA-K)³ organises captivating and surprising concerts throughout the year” - Ben Van Aalboom, Knack Focus, 8 maart 2005
“Het hele jaar door organiseert (K-RAA-K)³ boeiende en verrassende concerten. ” - Ive Stevenheydens, De Tijd, 3 juli 2005
“(K-RAA-K)³ is an independent Belgian label that chooses resolutely for innovative, adventurous artists.” - Christoph Verbiest, De Morgen, 9/3/2003
“The Belgian flagschip (K-RAA-K)³, often wrongly described as only a record label” - Peter Deschamps, Gonzo Circus, augustus 2004
“THe (K-RAA-K)³ label has a fetisj of releasing awkward bands. Digging deep in subcultures... ” - Jurgen Boel, Goddeau, 19/7/2004

(K-RAA-K)3 Festival

01/03/2008 Brigittines + Recyclart, Brussel
Marshall Allen & Paul Hession [us/uk], Bardo Pond [us], Ceramic Hobs [uk], Cherry Blossoms [us] Dragons of Zynth [us], Richard Crandell [us], Entrance [us], Hellvete [b], Ton Lebbink [nl], Sean Meehan [us], Pink Reason [us], Henri Pousseur's "Voix et vues planétaires" [b], Psychedelic Horseshit [us], R.O.T. [b], Silver Apples [us], Up-Tight [jp], + films : LAFMS: The Lowest Form of Music, Not There, Hommage au Sauwage: Henri Pousseur, Luc Ferrari devant sa Tautologie, Labrat Matinee, + djs : Prairie [b], Frosty [usa], Elephant Power [b]
www.kraak.net/festival2008

03/03/2007 KC Belgie, Hasselt
Thomas Ankersmit & Giuseppe Ielasi [nl/it] Bear Bones, Lay Low [b] Bohman Brothers [uk] Daniel Higgs [us] Dennis Krokodil & Friend [b] Little Howlin' Wolf [us] Ligubrum [b] Major Stars [us] Phil Minton [uk] Dinosaurs with Horns [us] Raccoo-oo-oon [us] Sun City Girls [us] Warmer Milks [us] Witchcraft [se] Jozef Van Wissem [nl]
www.kraak.net/festival2007

04/03/2006 KC Belgie, Hasselt
Borbetomagus [us] Burning Star Core [us] Espers [us] Idea Fire Company [us] Ignatz [b] LSD March [jp] Oren Marshall [uk] My Cat Is An Alien [it] Patty Waters & Henry Grimes [us] Pharaoh Overlord [fin] Sir Richard Bishop [us] Wooden Wand and the Vanishing Voice [us] ... www.kraak.net/festival2006

12/03/2005 KC Belgie, Hasselt
Af Ursin, Boris, Caroliner Rainbox, Dirk Freenoise, Kiss the Anus of a Black Cat, Magik Markers, The Microphones, The Skygreen Leopards Skyband, Smegma, Träd Gräs Och Stenar, Tv Resistori, Urdog, Steve Schepens, Kurt D'Haeseleer, Pieter-Paul Mortier, Gustav Deutch, ... www.kraak.net/festival2005

06/03/2004 KC Belgie, Hasselt
A Rocket in Dub, Charalambides, Evil Moisture, Charles Hayward, Tim Hecker, Lovid, Noxagt, Oneida, Pelt, Silur, Tape, Joris Vermeiren & Sen Jan, Michael Yonkers, Wolf Eyes, Hondenkoekjesfabriek...www.kraak.net/festival2004

08/03/2003 KC Belgie, Hasselt
Blutch, Un Caddie Renversé dans L'herbe, Joe Cocksucker, Tony Conrad, Hanged Up, Denzel + Huhn, Lowfish, Numbers, Hellfire, Kiila, Sunroof, Tuk, Greg Weeks, Liesbeth Vlerick, Christophe Bailleau, Shino Kano. www.kraak.net/festival2003

02/03/2002 KC Belgie, Hasselt
Alog, Oren Ambarchi, Ekkehard Ehler + Joseph Suchy, Benjamin Franklin, David Grubbs, Main, It & My Computer, Dean Roberts, Wio, Twine, Toss, Vibracathedral Orchestra, Gunter Braem, Philip Franchetti, Impakt, One.Dot.Zero

03/03/2001 KC Belgie, Hasselt
Adlib vs Köhn, Aix Em Klemm, Alastair Galbraith, Hans Olo, Kern, Kid 606, Kpt.Michi.Gan, David Maranha, Ovil Bianca, Senking, Velma,Vote Robot, Richard Youngs, Genarro & Galbraith, Jan Vanden Dobbelsteen, Karen Vandenborcht, Kurt D'haeseleer, Antonin de Bemels

24-25-26/03/1999, De Kelk, Brugge / Democrazy, Gent / KC Belgie, Hasselt
Kjetill Bransdall, Zoppo, White Winged Moth, improvisatiesessies
Noto, Cd-Slopper, Village of Savoonga, Azusa Plane, Young Framers Claim Future, Shifts, Lali Puna, Mike Harding, Flying Saucer Attack, Blond.
Low Res, Antenna Farm, Pan American, Wio vs KÖhn, Mannequin Lung

04/04/1998 Cactus Club, Brugge
De Portables, Köhn, Wio, Toss, Holosud, Amp, Raumerkundung, Dj Frank Dommert Film: Dial History

Pauze Festival

13/11-15/11/2008 Gent
line tbc

29/11-1/12/2007 Vooruit/Sphinx/Witte Zaal, Gent
Eliane Radigue [fr], Volcano The Bear [uk], Noah Howard Quartet [us/b/fr], Climax Golden Twins [us], Howlin' Rain [us], Soft Circle [us], Acid Mothers Temple [jp], Sic Alps [usa], Blaastaal [b] + films : Derailroaded, Dronevolk, Desperate Man Blues, Horrorror http://www.kraak.net/pauze2007/

26-28/10/2006 Vooruit, Gent
NEW WHITE COTTON HEADS : Jonathan Kane [usa], Ekkehard Ehlers & Joseph Suchy [ger], Jos Steen [b]
TRANSMUTATION II: THE RAMBLING FREEDOM CIRCUS : MV & EE with The Bummer Road [usa], Spires That in the Sunset Rise [usa], Charlie Nothing [usa], Fish & Sheep [pt]
FAR-EAST FREAK-OUT : Keiji Haino [jp], Kan Mikami [jp], Kazuki Tomokawa [jp], Overhang Party [jp]
http://www.kraak.net/pauze2006/

27-29/10/2005 Vooruit, Gent
27/10/2005 THE PEOPLE'S MUSIC : Tsehaytu Beraki [Eritrea], Daud Khan [Afghanistan], Breaking the silence
28/10/2005 A LONG THIN WIRE : Ellen Fullman & Konrad Sprenger [usa & ger] Greg Malcolm [nz]
29/10/2005 TRANSMUTATIONS : Charalambides [usa], Animal Collective [usa], Ignatz [b]
http://www.kraak.net/pauze2005/