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About Us
Black Flak is an alternative.indie.postrock hybrid band.
Dan Ibarra - Guitar, Bass
Samuel Dumont - Drums
Kate Hoffmeister - Vocals
Duncan Clawson - Guitar, Keys
Former Members and their album contributions:
McKay Green - Guitar (OWK, IOP, AM)
Sean Patrick Murphy - Guitar, Drums (OWK, IOP)
Kyson Van Dyke - Guitar (AM)
Randy Beasterfield - Drums (IOP)
History:
McKay, Sean, and Dan played together in a short lived indie-rock/post.rock band in 2015-16, but due to a toxic relationship with the vocalist the band fell apart. The 3 remained friends and their love of post.rock music made it an easy transition to stay together and start a strictly instrumental band. The creative process flowed much more organically for all of them and it didn't take long to complete their debut album in early 2017 (OWK).
McKay's background was as a guitarist and bassist in punk and alternative music, Sean's was in death metal as a drummer and guitarist, and Dan's background was as a guitarist in mostly alternative rock and folk bands, he picked up the bass for the first time in 2015.
After completion of the 2nd album in 2019, Sean moved back to his home state of Minnesota, so the band brought on a new guitarist, fellow post-rocker in the SLC scene, Kyson Van Dyke.
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 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 including the invitation to play at Post.Fest were obliterated because of 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 was initially featured in 2021's 'Ad Meliora', and much more prominently in all of the new writing since then. Her addition to the band has allowed it to finally evolve into the original desire to create an indie/post.rock hybrid sound.
2022 brought about some major changes as McKay was not able to participate in the band's U.S. tour, so friend of the band, Duncan Clawson replaced him. It was a grand success as the band toured through much of the mid-west including Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and capped off their grand road trip at Post.Festival in Indianapolis. In 2023 the band was able to travel west and played at the NWPRC festival in Portland.
Following tour, Kyson decided to focus on his solo-projects. So Black Flak returned to a foursome which brought about a new creative process and energy that invigorated everyone, and led to some of greatest works. The newest album, 'Ode to Ebb and Flow' is currently being released, and for the first time, the band's music is available on a Vinyl medium.
The Music
"Ode to Ebb and Flow" (2025), all new style of indie alt rock with some flavors of Black Flak's post.rock roots throughout.
"Uninvited" (2023), a cover song the band decided to play to spice up the 2022 tour.
"Ad Meliora" (2021) The band's 3rd full length album journeys from the darkness towards something more hopeful. Available on July 22, 2021. Stay tuned :)
"It's Only Permanent" (2019) takes a darker turn from the visible societal conflicts to the much more painful individual struggles within.
"Once We Knew The World Well" (2017) 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.
A few past influences include Red Sparowes, Emma Ruth Rundle, Chelsea Wolfe, Phoebe Bridgers, A.A. Williams, Daughter, The Appleseed Cast, Daturah, This Will Destroy You, Russian Circles, Godspeed you! Black Emperor, The Pirate Ship Quintet, Mogwai, MONO, pg.lost, Caspian, Explosions In The Sky, God Is An Astronaut, If These Trees Could Talk, Oh Hiroshima, The End Of The Ocean, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Alanis Morrisette, and many other great bands ingrained in our souls and continually being discoved.
Artwork by: @itsbobrobert, @daphneadoto, & Black Flak