SEATTLE’S DYNAMIK SETS LOCAL SHOWS IN SUPPORT
OF DEBUT CD RELEASE, "NOW IN COLOR"
 

Dynamik, the Seattle band known for sparkling sounds and snap and crackle live performances, are set to bring their infectious music to a series of live shows in the Pacific Northwest this summer. The appearances will be in support of the recent release of NOW IN COLOR, their debut CD of largely original material.

Cory Cramer, Pete Wilson and Tim Kim are Dynamik, a threesome that formed after first meeting in high school some years ago. Cramer and Wilson provide the luxurious vocal harmonies and play keyboards and guitar respectively. Kim is the talent behind the fluid lead guitar. Since joining forces, the three have been hard at work crafting songs about life and love and choices and change. And, as the material on NOW IN COLOR proves, they are adept songwriters and arrangers.

NOW IN COLOR, released by the Portland, OR-based Retroactive Entertainment label, opens with “On the Radio,” a catchy, upbeat song that bursts with sounds and rhythms. It’s strong on harmonies, guitar, keyboards and percussion that combine to etch themselves immediately and totally on the ear. “Day and Night” and “Lucky You” also number among the standout uptempo and unmistakably danceable tracks. “Things Unheard,” “When We Left Love Alone,” “Stay With Me,” “Gray City” and “Fix of Compromise” are songs that showcase the young band’s knack for the interplay between voice and instrumentation on mid- and slow tempo material. Synthesizers and percussion are also upfront with the dual vocals on tracks like “Decision,” “Spinning Stars” and “Angel.”

An interesting choice for Dynamik is the inclusion of “Don’t Bring Me Down,” the CD’s one cover. The song was a Top 5 single hit for E.L.O. in 1979, and its inclusion here says a lot about the band. “Not only is it a perfect rock-and-roll song,” Tim Kim explains, “it’s the perfect song for us to do—about as many harmonies as you can get, a heavy pop feel, and just enough room to grow.” Appropriately enough, the CD (almost) concludes with “Shine,” a wide-awake, happy-go-lucky song with the sound and feel of a marching band, followed by a surprise coda.
 
Dynamik’s dynamics are about as playfully and keenly honed as they come. Since forming, the trio—joined by three additional musicians to flesh out their sound during live shows—has performed some 250 club and festivals dates in and around their hometown of Seattle. In the coming months, audiences in the Pacific Northwest will be able to experience the group live at a number of dates.

On July 10, Dynamik will appear at Seattle’s The High Dive, a club they love to play (“The sound is great, the stage is big enough for all the guys to have their own space, and they have really good beers on tap,” all three agree.) The band will make its debut appearance at “The Bite of Seattle” Festival on July 17. In August, they’ll head to Port Townsend for a concert at the Jefferson County Fair. More live dates will be added to their schedule shortly. “We have so much fun playing festivals,” says Cory Cramer, “especially ones in our own city. Most of the people that we play in front of at festivals have never heard of us, so it’s a good chance to win them over.” And odds are very good that whether you see Dynamik live or hear them on NOW IN COLOR, the radiant energy of this talented band will do just that.


Photos and music available upon request.
Now In Color is available from Amazon, iTunes and local retailers.