She Keeps Bees - Live @ Cake Shop

One band I had been most anxious to see again, (since first accidentally stumbled across them) are the glorious She Keeps Bees. Back in October, I attended a show specifically to see another band (Philadephia's East Hundred - who are awesome in their own right). My thoughts from that show on both bands on that particular night can be found here:

http://davecromwellwrites.blogspot.com/2008/10/eh.html




Along with loving the East Hundred show, I was completely blown away by the opening act - She Keeps Bees. Just a 2 person band, they are fronted by manic and charismatic vocalist/guitarist Jessica Larabee. Her last name there is how she explains the name of the band. She also keeps the whole "bee" thing going by having a really cool "bees" tatoo on her arm. But, all that aside, it is the music here that hooks you in.

Give a listen here to their song "Wear Red" - performed here at this show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE3Mcyq4X3U




On drums is Jessica's co-conspirator Andy Laplant. In addition to providing the essential percussive aspects of these songs, Andy also engineered the bands current album "Nests"



Jessica is such a down-to-earth, no pretention, no BS vocalist and guitar player. It's quite refreshing to see someone like this exist - especially in this day and age of every-move-calcuated performers. With Jess you can immediately tell everything she does is all about "feel". There is no sense of image perception, or 'how will this play to the audience?' It's all from the gut.

Listen in as she and Andy crush out another modern day blues ode:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsjzYSY94iY




Jess is naturally attractive - pretty. She doesn't appear to wear any makeup and her very long hair hangs in her face. She peeks through the fringe. She's tall and slinky. Add to that a great personality - one that is parts manic, humble, sweet and soulful and it's hard not to be captivated.




Here Jessica and Andy play "You Can Tell".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzJvFJMIzjg

Jessica sings "Give me one good reason. You need someone to blame. Well, I'm the one to blame"


Here's the song most mentioned in the other articles I've read about SKB - the erotically slinky "Gimme"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MLgDwu-5dQ

And there's good reason why. It's just such a great chord progression and primal drumming. Lot's of "whoha, whoah" wailing and chunky guitar strumming.




It's interesting to note that Jessica started out as a drummer. Her father was something of an accomplished percussionist himself and taught Jess to play when she was 14. That sense of rhythm is apparent in the way she plays guitar. And yet a completely competent and natural guitar player she is. The sound she gets out of it and her amp is dirty and gritty. Combine that with her rich, powerful voice and you have the makings of a modern day blues vehicle.

Andy and Jessica are so locked in together. Though their performances come off somewhat loose and casual, you get the sense they could finish each other's musical sentences.

Jessica slightly freaks out a bit in her amusing and charming way at the beginning of one song (this isn't that unusual of an occurrence) - then leads everyone through the hand-clap, drums & vocals only song "Ribbon".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZhzbH6sAYM

As she had broken a string off her own guitar, Jessica had to borrow one from one of the opening bands to continue the set.

After Andy helped her "dirty" up the sound a bit (as Jess was overheard saying to him - "how do we make this sound awesome?") and some more pre-song amusing chatter (where one fan simply shouts out "make that shit rock!") - she smiled and got down to business.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH9Q4VgW4cs

With "new" guitar and drum-stick directive.

Andy thunders in front of the ever-present Cake Shop glittering backdrop.

Jess has got soul - and she's superbad. I caught up with the band after the show and asked a few questions.

Jessica responds on her music:

"It's definitely more of a percussive thing in my head. I'm self-taught so it's not like I listen to something and can pick out exactly what it is. It's been a progression to get this sort of aggressive sound. Before I played a folkier style. I was trying for a some kind of sound, and I wasn't thinking about what made my own connection to it all. I was trying (too hard) to sound like somebody else - so it wasn't until I met Andy - and I taught him drums - then he started getting into it - and it progressed into this more aggresive thing. This led to an awakeing and release in me, and helped to embrace what was coming. That's how "Nests" was written - me just having songs and then recording them immediately after.

The first album wasn't done like that. I had been singing those song for 2 years before they were recorded."

Jessica is completely locked-in to the moment - once the song begins.

"We're leaving for Europe on June 3, so I'm super excited about that," she continued. "We have a few festivals lined up and our label over there (NAMES) is going to be putting our record out. We just found out about a festival in Croatia that we're doing at the end of August, and we're so excited about it."

Andy: "Croatia is very beautiful. I've been there once before. We're going to a tiny fishing village."

Jessica: "This village is 900 years old."

Andy: "but we'll be basing our operations out of England, though."

I wouldn't be Dave Cromwell if I didn't get my picture with my new very fave singer of all time (at that moment). But - yeah - I am thrilled that awesome Jessica is sweet, friendly and not on any star trip. I don't even think huge success would change that about her.

As they have stated, the band will be embarking on a tour of Europe from June - September, so there will be more than a few opportunities for our friends accross-the-pond to catch this exciting live show.

Important links for She Keeps Bees:

http://www.myspace.com/shekeepsbees

http://www.shekeepsbees.com/ww.shekeepsbees.com/

Their latest album titled "Nests" can be gotten at Other Music

http://digital.othermusic.com/search/full.php?UID=305911/

Nouvellas live @ Crash Mansion, March 26, 2009

Went to see the Nouvellas play a live show at Crash Mansion on Thursday night, the 26th of March, '09. I've now seen them perform a number of times, and with each successive show attended, I gain a greater appreciation of what they do.



The band plays a '60s motown style, with twin dynamo lead vocalists Jamie & Leah adding a pretty/punk dancey feel to it all.




Jamie has a really powerful voice - she sings with a lotta soul - and bassist Joe is all business as he lays down a stax/funk groove.




The band was formed when members of their prior incarnation - The Dansettes - decided to split off into two band new bands. The Nouvellas were then formed.



Leah and Jamie sing a lot of their songs together - occasionally trading off on vocal lines. It is their voices combined though, that gives them their unique sound.



Guitarist Dennis and Drummer Andy complete the power-trio backbone of the band. In particular, Dennis is a most impressive musician, playing clean 60's style guitarlines, with the speed and accuracy of the best modern day guitarists around. Chatting with Dennis post-show, he confirmed a love for legendary guitarist James Burton - who played with Rick Nelson in the 50's and Elvis Presley in the 60's.



In addition to their strong, quality soulful vocals, Leah and Jamie have great style and presence. Jamie has the natural dance moves and sway, while Leah provides a looser, more casual and punkier attitude. It's a combination that appears to work. They seem to always be having fun, despite any minor snags or technical difficulties. They appear to be laughing a lot at it all.

That's not to say their music isn't to be taken seriously - because the quality is surely there.

Give a listen to an earlier recording (not mine) containing an excellent video medley of "I Got A Feeling" and "Satisfied" taken from various performances over the last year or so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhvpki496P0

Jamie dances, while Andy and Joe lock down the groove.

Voices united in the quest for ultimate soul.

Dennis riffs away, while Leah rocks the tambourine and boots. Jamie holds a note for maximum effect.

Check out The Nouvellas at these links:

www.myspace.com/nouvellas

http://www.nouvellas.com/

And you can check out their previous band here:

www.myspace.com/thedansettes

The band also has a Facebook presence:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nouvellas/6799977718

Jillian Rhys - live at The Saint, March 6, 2009

Two friends whose opinions I value when it comes to music had previously recommended singer Jillian Rhys to me. Taking the now all-too-easy route of checking an artist out on Youtube, I made a mental note to go see her play somewhere - sometime. After one of those same friends told me about a live show of hers he had just recently seen, I knew I had to go and check this out for myself.

Lucky for me she was playing at The Saint in Asbury Park, New Jersey on the 6th of March. So, it was there I would experience all things Jillian.

Photo by Pressley Abbott

What Jillian Rhys and her band present is what you would call "retro" music. Think 1963. Ronnie Spector, The Shirelles - one of the great branches to the roots of rock & roll music.

Listen to Jillian & her band as they play their own song titled "Hangin On":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1pmmdatFNA

Photo by Pressley Abbott

The live presentation of that song is done extremely well. There are many sound textures and vocal harmonies. Jillian is defintely out front and the central focus, but her band and one backup singer fill everything out quite admirably. Of particular note is the trumpet player she employs, Antonio Gambrell. This sonic embellishment gives Jillian's music a unique texture that you don't come across that often in the rock environment.

Trumpet master Antonio Gambrell,
here with bassman extraordiaire, Ron Haney.

Jillian herself is an extremely attractive woman who isn't shy about drawing attention to her obvious sex appeal. Many of her movements appear to be somewhat choreographed, but that certainly doesn't detract from the show. In fact, I would venture to say it enhances it.

Photo by Pressley Abbott

What followed was Jillian's most erotically charged song of the set. The completely seductive
"Crush Me"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJjd-qGXF6o

"You're seconds away from putting your hands on me" she teases. Who can resist a come on like that? But then asks "how can I touch you, when your not here?" - no - I'm right here. Over here. Look - I'm waving my hand!

Photo by Pressley Abbott

As I've mentioned, the band is a tight unit that provides a perfect supporting cast for Jillian.

Photo by Pressley Abbott

Bart Shoudel not only plays all the keyboards, but is an integral part of the backround vocals (along with primary harmony vocalist Eryn Shewell.)

Photo by Pressley Abbott

Bassist Ron Haney is an energetic musical leader, who appears to be in full motion the entire show.

Photo by Pressley Abbott

Jed Higgerson manned all things guitarwise. In keeping with the "60's" sound, he had an nice and easy style that was clean with very little effects. On aforementioned "Crush Me" he provided solid rhythmic, chunky chords. What was additionally cool on this song is the last minute which has a jazzy coda of sorts. Having the benefit of repeated viewings (ah, the wonder of Youtube) I've come to really appreciate this part of the song.

Drummer Tom Cottone was quite impressive on this jazzed-up end out as well. Ripping off quick fills inbetween the rock solid beat he provided throughout the night.

Photo by Pressley Abbott

Check out the soulful dual vocals from the ladies on the happy, good-timey "Do You Ever Wonder"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYXzi7OdOvE

Jillian's tambourine playing add more shake (to go with that shake).

The vocal hookline "this feeling I have for you" quite catchy.

Photo by Pressley Abbott

Now fully embracing the era of music this performer so accurately represent, of the Shirelles classic "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPAuWsdZwTY

This is such a great song and Jillian really does it justice. Originally recorded by The Shirelles and written by the Brill Building songwriting team of Gerry Goffin and Carole King, it went straight to No. 1 in the year 1961.

Yours truly and the one and only Laura from NJ enjoyed the show together.

We then had a quick post-show chat with the star herself.

Photo by Laura in NJ

Jillian is sweet and friendly, and it was a pleasure to meet her.

The full set list. Jillian joked about not having any paper, so wrote it all out on the back of a large cardboard advertisement.

You can find out more about Jillian Rhys and her band at:

www.myspace.com/rhysmusicspace

Mieka Pauley live at The Saint, Asbury Park, NJ

On Friday night, the 6th of March, 2009, I finally got a chance to head on down to the legendary rock club The Saint in Asbury Park, New Jersey. This venue has seen a lot of New Jersey acts play its stage, as they worked their way up through the ranks, in their quest for all things rockstardom.



It's a very cool little room in Asbury, located a few blocks away from the seaside town's boardwalk.



New to me was one of the night's featured performers - Mieka Pauley

Photo by Laura in NJ

Mieka (pronounced meeka) is a very pretty folk singer of sorts - though to simply call her a "mere folk singer" would be to do her an injustice. She's more of a slightly quirky, alternately smooth-then-raspy vocalist who has oodles of soul in her voice as well.

Some of her musical influences whose work I also admire are the likes of PJ Harvey, Jeff Buckley, Cat Power, Fiona Apple and Neko Case.

Another singer (from another era, I suppose) that popped into my head as someone who exhibited similar qualites (both vocally and in performance style) is Rickie Lee Jones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRioLytZ-VA

Photo by Laura in NJ

Mieka has her own unique style and presence, however, and you can hear real attention to detail in her songwriting and storytelling.

"Oh, you're livin' the shadow - daughter," is how one emotive song starts. She begins to weave a tale where "our branches may reach up to heaven, but our roots dig where they can." How "our river is running wicked, yeah I watched it. Oh, its traveling all along your face. Baby you watched them all just sinkin -and you dove right in." On to a big chorus where "Whiskey is the Devil" is the repeated line. This is not "party" music by any means. Instead, it challenges you to think about it some.

Listen her performance of this song here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFZ-cpHDA1I

Her band provided excellent accompaniment. In particular, her keyboard player impressed me with his fluid style and many layers of sound. Both her bassist and lead guitarist were more than competent. She does play with a drummer as well, however on this particular night, he could not attend due to prior committments.

As I've mentioned previously, her voice is alternately soft, soulful and then like sandpaper. A stylisticly unique combination. She did a song with lyrics "they're here, drink up, we're all gonna die!", which was not nearly as morbid as that sounds. In fact, its a most peppy, uptempo little number.

Photo by Laura in NJ

Check out her performance of that song right here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuqNQFPM-C0



I would discover later on that Mieka had won a talent competition called The Cosmo Starlaunch. I'm not surprised that she won, as clearly there is a lot of talent on display there.

More can be found out about this event, here:

https://subscribe.hearstmags.com/subscribe/splits/cosmopolitan/cos_starlaunch

During the latter part of her set, Mieka then announced she was going to do a cover song - and proceeded to take on a song that has been famously interpreted more than a few times - the Leonard Cohen classic "Hallelujah."

Listen here ask she applies her own unique interpretation and vocal inflections on this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB2ooFCqQpw

Photo by Laura in NJ

Attempting a song that has been popularized by not only Mr. Cohen himself, but Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainright and many others - you had better have the confidence to bring something unique in your interpretation. On this night, I believe she did, as it was a most impressive rendition.

For those curious about the song's possible meanings, check out this fascinating break down, analysis and discussion of it:

http://ask.metafilter.com/17841/Leonard-Cohen-Hallelujah-meaning

Meeting the Meek afterwards

Find out more about Mieka Pauley here:

www.myspace.com/mieka

Check out The Saint here:

http://www.thesaintnj.com/

Mieka performs next at the upcoming SXSW showcase in Austin,Texas.