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About Us
Black Flak was a post.rock band formed in 2016 in Utah, now evolved into more of a post.rock/alt-rock hybrid.
Kate Hoffmeister - Vocals
Dan Ibarra - Bass, Guitar
Samuel Dumont - Drums
Duncan Clawson - Guitar, Keys
Former Members and their album contributions:
McKay Green - Guitar (OWK, IOP, AM)
Sean Patrick Murphy - Guitar, Drums, Production (OWK, IOP, NPS)
Kyson Van Dyke - Guitar (AM)
Randy Beasterfield - Drummer (IOP)
History:
McKay, Sean and Dan played together in an indie-rock band until early 2016, but due to a toxic relationship with the vocalist the band decided to part ways. The 3 remained friends and their love of post-rock music made it an easy transition to stay together and start a strictly instrumental rock band. The creative process flowed much more organically for all of them and it didn't take long to complete their debut album (OWK) in early 2017.
McKay's background was as a guitarist and bassist in punk and alternative music, and Sean's in death metal both as a drummer and guitarist. Dan's background was as a guitarist in mostly alternative rock and folk bands.
After completion of the 2nd album in 2019, Sean had to move to Minnesota, so the band brought on a new guitarist, fellow post-rocker in the SLC scene, Kyson Van Dyke to fill in.
The band went through a few drummers in the initial years until they found the right fit. After some ups (Randy) and downs (the others ;), they finally found the match that was always meant to be when they finally hooked up with Samuel Dumont. His talent, energy, and beautiful personality gave the group new hope and excitement for sharing their music with the world.
2020 US tour plans were postponed by the pandemic, but the biggest silver lining from that darkness was when the band decided they'd bring on an extra layer of sound with vocalist Kate Hoffmeister, a friend of the band. She stepped up to the plate and everyone has been enamored by her talent and sound. She is featured in the latest release, 'Ad Meliora', and prominently in all of the new writing.
2022 brought about some major changes. Due to health issues, McKay was not able to participate in the bands U.S. Mid-west tour, so friend of the band, Duncan Clawson replaced him. It was a grand success as the band toured through Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and capped off their grand road trip at Post. Festival in Indianapolis IN.
Following tour, Kyson decided to focus on his solo-projects and left the band. So now we're back to a foursome, thick into creating and writing with this new line-up and new energy.
Stay tuned!
The Music
"Once We Knew The World Well" is an emotional musical journey and a unique historical perspective of human conflict, world war, and personal struggle as seen through the lens of Black Flak's debut album.
"It's Only Permanent" takes a darker turn from the visible societal conflicts to the much more painful individual struggles within.
"Ad Meliora" The band's 3rd full length album journeys from the darkness towards something more hopeful. Available on July 22, 2021. Stay tuned :)
"Uninvited", a cover song the band decided to play to spice up the 2022 tour, and released in 2023.
New EP and Album in the works for 2024.
A few past influences include Godspeed you! Black Emperor, This Will Destroy You, Russian Circles, Red Sparowes, Emma Ruth Rundle, Chelsea Wolfe, Phoebe Bridgers, A.A. Williams, Daughter, The Pirate Ship Quintet, Mogwai, MONO, pg.lost, Daturah, Caspian, Explosions In The Sky, God Is An Astronaut, If These Trees Could Talk, Oh Hiroshima, The End Of The Ocean, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins and now many other great bands we are continually discovering.
Artwork by: @itsbobrobert & @daphneadoto