July 22, 2008 15:23

Karen O debuts side project with Brooklyn show

'Yeah Yeah Yeahs still my priority' singer tells NME.COM

Photo Gallery: Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Yeah Yeah Yeahs singer Karen O unveiled her side project Native Korean Rock last night (July 21), with two performances in the same night at Brooklyn's Union Pool venue.

The shows were only announced last week, but sold out instantly despite the low-key nature.

O then treated the 100 or so fans lucky enough to get tickets to each show to a 40-minute set of folk-inspired love songs and an elaborate nautically-themed stage set which featured her singing from the hull of a model boat.

Her backing band, consisting of a drummer, a guitarist and a string trio, were dressed as sailors to fit with the theme.

Speaking to NME.COM after the gig, a slightly inebriated O explained that her reason for doing these shows was simply for fun and that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs - her bandmates were spotted in the crowd - were still her main priority.

"I felt really nostalgic about playing love songs in New York in the summer because it's pretty much what I did before the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

"It's just what I felt like doing right now so I don't think there will be any more shows like this. The main thing I'm concentrating on is the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs record, which we've been working on for a while and it's nearly done. It should be out by early next year."

Native Korean Rock played:

'OOO'
'Body'
'Visits'
'Beast'
'Rapt'
'Sunset Sun'
'Comes The Night'
'Day Go By'
'Indian Summer'
'Day Go By' (Reprise)