On Introducing Karl Blau, released 13th May on Bella Union, the enigmatic vocalist charts a new vision of country music. A Northwest indie hero, Blau channels darkness and hope in a cinematic collection of Nashville country hits from the 60's and 70's. Produced by Tucker Martine, the record features performances by Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Laura Veirs, Jon Hyde, Eli Moore (Lake), Steve Moore (Earth, SunnO)))), among others. It all started with cutting a 7" single, a cover of the 1969 Tom T. Hall hit "That's How I Got to Memphis". Blau, whom Martine had come to know from sessions with Laura Veirs among others, asked if he could try singing it. "I knew what a special artist Karl was, but I had no idea what a powerful interpreter of songs he was,' Martine says. The collaboration, pairing Blau's deeply sonorous voice with Martine's warm, modern arrangements, recast the Nashville hit in a new light.