Well, this is pretty cool: The record label that supplied 80% of my CD collection during high school is poised to release their first-ever comedy album.

Portland-based label Kill Rock Stars announced today that they've just signed comedian Kurt Braunohler—he will be recording an album live next month at four free shows in Seattle and Portland.

Braunohler was in Portland not too long ago, opening for the Comedy Bang! Bang! tour. When asked for a one-sentence summary, Copy Chief Courtney Ferguson, who saw the show, described him as "an awesome Nordic fellow, like if you were rich and could hire a funny tennis pro."

I asked Kill Rock Stars' Portia Sabin for more info about the indie label's foray into comedy. "We're branching out into comedy because comedy is the new punk rock (I heard that quote attributed to ian mackaye, don't know if that's accurate or not)," she replied via email. "KRS definitely plans to do more comedy albums in the future, all of us are big comedy fans and have a lot of people we'd like to work with. We'll see what the future brings!"

The Portland show is on Thursday, February 14 (is something else that day? hm) at 8 & 10 pm. To RSVP, email tickets@mississippistudios.com, and indicate whether you'd like to attend the 8 pm or 10 pm show.