Monday, February 19, 2007

Kunek

Publication Date : February 19, 2007

Familiar sound
Steven Purvis/O’Collegian
Jesse Tabish, member of Kunek, sings Friday night at Mike’s College Bar.


Steven Purvis/O’Collegian
Kunek, composed of six musicians, was formed in Stillwater three years ago. The band released its debut album, Flight of the Flynns, on Playtyme Records.
Fans pack Mike’s to see Stillwater fave

Austin Porter
Entertainment Writer

Kunek delivered a solid performance, which stood up to the band’s reputation, for fans in Mike’s College Bar on Friday night.

The band’s alternative, multi-instrumental music is soothing and entertaining in an atmosphere like Mike’s.

When Kunek took the stage, it provided an example of how bands with their own sound should perform.

It soothed ears and entertained regular fans, as well as anyone looking for an amusing night.

Because most of the band members are from Stillwater, Kunek has a number of people who are familiar to the band’s performance and who are awaiting the next album.

The band gave an unfamiliar sound, enjoyable to anyone with that sense of music or looking for a night of musical variety.

Kunek’s members are Jesse Tabish, Jenny Hsu, Colby Owens, Jon Mooney, Eric Kiner and Josh Onstott, according to the band’s MySpace page.

Kiner is from Perry, and Onstott is from Cushing. The rest of the members attended Stillwater High School, said Ben Elder, Kunek’s manager.

Founding members Tabish, Hsu and Owens established an instrumental project around 2004, which has evolved into what Kunek is now, Elder said.

Kunek has signed a contract with Playtyme Records and has gained interest among larger record labels, Elder said.

After the release of its debut album, Flight of the Flynns, Kunek has been on a nationwide tour hitting many locations, including New York.

iTunes chose Flight of the Flynns as best indie album for 2006, according to Kunek’s MySpace page.

The band has signed with national distributing agencies, making its albums accessible from most name-brand music stores.

“Right now is an interesting time for the band because they are deciding where they want to go with their music now that they have opportunities,” Elder said.

“Some of the members would probably like to stay closer to Oklahoma, but they have the opportunity to decide what they want to do with their music.”

Hsu said she is proud to represent Kunek and what it has accomplished.

“I would like to play music for a living,” she said.

Kunek’s members play many instruments, including piano, guitar, bass, cello, keyboard, harmonica and drums.

Although the band’s sound is hard to define, its music is entertaining.

For a band that goes with what it feels and has the ability to play almost anything it wants, Kunek does a great job.

Almost anywhere on the Stillwater Strip, anyone can see many musicians performing, but Kunek is more like an experience to watch because of the enormity in music.

Most fans around Stillwater were probably at the show, but all fans look forward to the next album in the works.

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