There is a new form of dancing exploding onto the local scene. Seattle has long enjoyed a thriving contra dancing community. The family friendly and alcohol free dance events have been a recreational alternative for all ages. I've chronicled the nature of contra dancing before, and now I am here to tell you about something new: Death Contra. Death contra is the combination of death metal and contra dancing.  Death contra is also the brainchild of Lars Von Trier, the lead vocalist of the death metal band “Kill Kill Kitty”. The origins of death contra, a natural progression from the widely popular techno contra, is best explained in a recent interview I had with Lars. 

 

Authur: What can you tell me about your past Lars?

Lars: Lars is a stage name that I embraced when I began singing death metal. KKK is only my latest band. You may remember my embryonic band “Garfield's Lies”. I created Garfield as a celebration of my love of death metal and my hatred of cats. Unfortunately we had to dissolve Garfield after a series of horrible accidents befell our drummers, but that's in the past.

 

Authur: What did you do before you came to Seattle?

Lars: I've loved music all my life. I attended the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities and latter graduated from The Music Academy. I saw Kings of Prussia at Lexington Avenue Arts Festival. I fell in love in metal. My family moved to Seattle and here I am now!

 

Authur: You are the driving force behind Seattle death contra. This seems like an unlikely combination. I understand your love of metal. You are locally acclaimed for your dark, blistering sound, harsh vocals, and macabre, proudly Satanic imagery. Please tell me. Where does the contra dance come in?

Lars: I've loved contra dancing all my life. Dancing lead to calling and now we have death contra.

 

Authur: Tell me more about your involvement in contra dancing.

Lars: I started contra dancing in Greenville and continued in Asheville. I fell in love with it. I traveled all over to indulge in social interaction, meeting people, and making new friends. I have such fond memories of Bryson Gym and River Falls Lodge!

 

Authur: You are the caller for your death contra events. This is quite leap from just being a dancer.

Lars: I was inspired by the likes of Beth Molaro who said “the number one rule is to have fun”. I've taken that to heart.  Fun is my mantra while I growl out my death metal lyrics about the dooming inevitability of Lovecraftian horror. Back in North Carolina I wanted to share my joy of contra so I learned to call. Then the Kings happened and I became Lars.

 

Authur: Why have your returned to your contra dancing roots? Why death contra?

Lars: I thought I had left the jigs and reels of contra behind forever. Then I attended a techno contra and my eyes were opened! I knew that the my abrupt tempo, key, and time signature changes were perfect.

 

Authur: What are the biggest differences between contra dancing, techno contra, and death contra?

Lars: Traditional contra dancing is known for family friendly and alcohol free dance events. Techno pushed that envelope. Techno contra events are still alcohol free, but the clothing is skimpier and the music is hip. I've changed all that. Death contra is not family friendly. We indulge heavily. There is no accident that I have medics on hand during each of my events.

 

Authur: What is the future for death contra?

Lars: I can only see it growing. Techno was the beginning for alternative contra dancing. Death is now. I am working with my friends in the musical community to open up contra to a larger audience. I think we'll soon see contra based on Flamenco, Pan Flute, and Sephardic music.

 

I really enjoy interviewing bleeding edge artists like Lars. The perk of covering the music scene is to see the hottest trends, and Lars is the wave that will sweep us all. Lars shared that he is on a tour of KKK, with several death contra shows scheduled on adjacent evenings. Check out our Seattle News Express Now event calendar for more information!