The Intelligence (Solo) & Emmett Kelly Live Concert in the PRS Library!

“Man, sometimes it takes a long time to sound like yourself,” says Miles Davis. It took Lars Finberg twenty-seven years. As leader of post-punk garage smart-asses The Intelligence, as well as stints drumming for psych rock all-stars Thee Oh Sees and Seattle’s experimental post-punk luminaries The A-Frames, Finberg honed the sharp but playful inversion of garage punk he’s become known for.

And now he debuts Witches Woo - a double LP that marks number 13 in the Intelligence catalog, or “number 3 in Phase 2” says Finberg, referencing transitional albums Lil’ Peril (2022) and Now, Squirm (2024), which both saw him drop everything he knew in search of new beginnings. His work on those two albums, as well as scoring a feature film, were the necessary steps towards a bigger and more authentic idea of what his music could be.

Not that he wasn’t already singular - an idiosyncratic songwriter doing his best to stretch the limits of recognizable genres, Finberg earned his place as a cult favorite in the underground rock world. But Witches Woo ushers in a new era - this is music beyond genre, influence or convention. It’s music as direct extension of personality. It’s music that doesn’t come from the “Lars Finberg” persona, but from the person himself. It’s joyous, strange, vulnerable, and above all searching. It feels less like listening to a collection of songs than it does being led through a musical landscape that connects you directly to another person’s subconscious. It’s cinematic in it’s immersiveness, stripping away structure to expose the raw creative act, the inspiration and emotion at the heart of it.

Witches Woo is eleven songs divided into four sections, one for each season, and it attempts to traverse, in 69 minutes, as big a space as one year of human life. It’s a symphony of electronic bedroom big band storytelling, chittering circuit board warbling vocals and lovelorn musings that ebb and flow like the aforementioned seasons. Songs build to cataclysmic bombardments of synthesizer experiments and sound collages, 808 drums pushed to the edges of celebratory disintegration and then, just before it all gets fried beyond comprehension, it clears away to find Lars alone with nothing more than acoustic guitar, fuzzy mic, and a collection of whispered, ruminative lyrics. Guests Alice Sandahl (La Luz), Jett Witchalls (Self-Improvement), Kate Blackstock, Mikal Cronin, Kannan Tupper and Energized Vase help fill out the landscape, but other than that, this is Lars himself, alone. And this is what he sounds like.

About Our Library Concert Series

“The universality of music, and its importance in the life of [humanity] is in my ways analogous to water. It may exist in countless forms and several states. It nourishes and sustains many kinds of internal life…Like beauty, it is forever ministering, enriching and expanding the potentials of human consciousness.” - Manly P. Hall

The concerts on the campus of the Philosophical Research Society aim to bring listener and creator together for one transcendent experience. In his essay “Philosophy of Music”, Manly Hall wrote: “The primary purpose of art is to interpret. It seeks to convey an impression by which we share with the artist some conviction or ideal as a result of an emotional impact.” The intimate performancesprogrammed at PRS allow for an impactful and connective experience for all. We strive to provide a space for artists inspired by the beauty around them and within, and take listeners to undiscovered terrain.

Ticket price: $20 (in-person event only)

Please email [email protected] or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

CONTENT DISCLAIMER

The views, opinions, and thoughts expressed by the presenters are solely those of the presenter and may not represent those of the Philosophical Research Society (PRS), its affiliates, or any individuals associated with PRS. Presentations are intended for informational and entertainment purposes.

ACCESSIBILITY

PRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to [email protected] before showtime and we will be happy to assist you.

REFUND POLICIES

All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges for PRS events, except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test.

In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event.

PARKING​

We encourage attendees to consider carpooling, walking or biking to events if possible, and please be considerate of our Los Feliz neighbors when parking. Street parking is available on Griffith Park Blvd. and (after 7 PM) on Los Feliz Blvd. Limited parking is available onsite at PRS in the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east). For ADA assistance, please reach out to us in advance via email ([email protected]) or phone (323.663.2167) and provide an email or number we can contact you at.

PRS EVENT POLICIES

• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
• Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.
• We encourage you to arrive at least 30 min. before the scheduled event start time to find parking, enjoy the Bookstore and take your seats.
• Please turn off all mobile devices before the show. Talking and texting are not allowed during the events.
• No filming, audio recording or mobile phone recording of events, screenings, concerts or other programs by audience members is allowed without permission.
• There is no smoking permitted on PRS grounds.
• We strongly encourage guests to wear masks to PRS events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• PRS allows Service Animals into the facility under ADA and state guidelines. For further details please visit www.ADA.gov. No animals permitted whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, under ADA guidelines and CA Health Code.
• Please do not bring outside food or drink into PRS events.
• Weapons are strictly prohibited at PRS events.