Yesterday, because I got the chance to answer fast to a Saint Motel tweet, I got invited to Rockaholics, a very intimate show organized by 98.7 fm, to see Nico Vega and Saint Motel at the Ed Hardy Studio in Burbank. I was not aware of this event which is recorded for a morning radio show, and it was quite a surprise to enter a small dark red room at the fifth floor of the Burbank clear channel studios, and to be invited to sit on the pillows covering the floor, just with about 25 persons. So close, so intimate it would give you the impression the bands are playing in your living room.
Even though I have seen them many times before, I could not resist to the perspective of seeing Saint Motel again, since an acoustic performance is always a treat when you have seen a band playing electric several times.
This event was also the occasion for Nico Vega and Saint Motel to do the promotion of their Halloween show, ‘Witch Hunt’ this coming Friday at the Roxy, although promotion was not really necessary since the show has already sold out.
I had never seen Nico Vega and I realized afterwards I arrived with the trio in the same elevator. The three of them (2 guys and a girl) seemed extremely comfortable together, showing some real connection and joking about not knowing what day it was, playing their role of forgetful musicians having adopted a bohemian lifestyle. Being not familiar with their music, two acoustic songs is too little to really get a formal opinion, but I would say that Aja Volkman, the female singer, sang with a deep smoky voice, reinforced by a lot of confidence, and what I could very well imagine as a big attitude on stage, using her arms a lot to express emotions, a little Patti Smith-like, backed up by a calmer guitarist Rich Koehler and an even quieter Dan Epand who was drumming on a small wooden thing. I can only guess what these three can do during an electric show on stage, it may well be a bit more muscular and animated, passionate or even dramatic, realizing what kind of personality the front woman appears to have.
Saint Motel did four acoustic songs, and yes they were forced to adopt a restrained attitude compared to the usual explosive, tumultuous experience of their previous live shows. The three of them (Greg the drummer was not there) were almost quietly sitting on stools instead of jumping and bouncing around, but even stripped down, their songs were still bubbling, and you could still feel the playful effervescence of all the non-played sonic energy of ‘Butch’ or ‘To my enemies’.
They also performed ‘At Least I have Nothing’ as well as a new song, since they are about to release a new album. ‘Pretty soon’ said A/J, without being exactly sure when, but in the meantime, they are touring and happy to do so.
’Where would be the further place you would like to go on tour?’ asked the animator, ‘The moon! … But right now we are just happy to play in Fresno!’ These guys are visibly enjoying their musical adventure, and don’t give the slightest impression to get tired to respond to the same usual questions about their musical influences, to which they keep answering Beethoven, but also Bowie, Black Sabbath and Petula Clark. But they also named Washed Out and Discovery’s ‘Swing Tree’ as new bands and songs they were currently listening to, without forgetting Nico Vega, and the love fest between both bands may become more concrete during next Friday show, with a promised collaboration.
Since the questions were coming from rather young fans, it was also question of Aaron’s underwear, and A/J’s numerous children, but I will not go there since A/J said he was saving himself.
The afternoon show finished with a series of pictures with fans, so my face may end up on 98.7 website tomorrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CJHoLTeVVk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZEPmDdLESE