Nouvelle Vague with A Moving Sound 9/17
A MOVING SOUND:
This Taiwanese band was definitely a band I would recommend for people interested in listening to Eastern music done by classically trained musicians. Three of the four members are from Taiwan and the fourth is from NYC and is married to the lead singer. A variety of different instruments were played and the female vocals were often very sharp and piercing but at the same time technically critical. They sang some traditional songs and Mia did this dance with a fan and talked about how you could put knives in the fan and use it as a weapon. Both she and I wished the stage was larger as I would have liked to have seen more of a performance element. While it was interesting to see this band, I wasn’t expected or prepared for them to be opening up for Nouvelle Vague and it was sort of a difficult transition to make between sets.
NOUVELLE VAGUE:
This show was just so much fun…I can barely begin to describe the utter joy of just hearing such great songs by so many bands performed altogether. There’s something great about going to see a show where you know the words to every song like the song has become a part of you and you look over and everyone else knows all of the words too. It’s like a great dream that you don’t want to end.
You can read more about Nouvelle Vague here I find it interesting that at least one of the singers, Camille, did not know these songs at the time they were recorded. I know some may disagree but I definitely feel Nouvelle Vague overall brought something fresh and revived them a bit with a slightly different take on them. They played every song off their record and also covered “Bella Lugosi’s Dead,” which I guess they did Sun. night as well when they played the Hot House.
The interaction of the singers made the show really visually great as well. Marina Celeste I believe is one of them and the other I’m not sure… maybe Melanie Pain…the photos on their website compared to the photos I took…well, um a bit different to be sure. But their voices contrasted well together with one being more coquettish and mild and the other being sort of like a French Janis Joplin without all of the grit. Often they danced seductively together-sometimes even back to back-and what the one who sounded vaguely like Janis could do with her eyes was truly spooky, especially during Bella Lugosi’s dead.
My only regret is that they didn’t sing some of the lyrics in French, although I shouldn’t be surprised as they sing in English on the album. Several people in the audience were calling up to them and asking them to sing in French and the singer (Melanie?) explained in French that it wasn’t possible. I wonder why it wasn’t possible, though. It obvious was possible.
Click here to see more pics.
October 12th, 2005 at 8:45 pm
[...] I have to say though, the guy from Schubas has been really great and responsive and I am feeling better about that whole thing now. Good for them. I like Schubas. I feel a great deal better knowing that they are being aware and aren’t willing to start setting up army booths and whatnot-aren’t willing to compromise any political or musical integrity. In addition. they have great sound there and a very nice intimate setting to see some of the best bands around. Throughout my four years in the city, I’ve seen some of my very favorite bands there including the Shins, Kings of Convenience, Robyn Hitchcock, Papas Fritas, Dressy Bessy, Tenki. Edith Frost, Central Falls, The Walkmen, the French Kicks, Andrew Bird, The Vandermark 5, the Wrens, the Innocence Mission, the Stars, Andrew Morgan, Keren Ann, Feist and Nouvelle Vague [...]