Show Announcement: Zola Jesus – Contemporary Arts Center (Cincinnati)
One week from today Zola Jesus will be performing at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati. Zola Jesus is the stage name of Nika Danilova, a 22-year-old Wisconsinite with Russian heritage who released her third studio album Conatus in late 2011. A solo act that sometimes plays her live shows with a backing band, her music is a hauntingly beautiful blend of rich synths and emotional, dark vocals that combine to bring a unique listening experience that feels like a mixture of Goth, opera, and minimalistic pop music. In a conversation with Interview Magazine, Nika describes her brand of sound philosophically saying, “Everything I do is a reflection of the duality within me. Musically, I really love things that are very synthetic and unnatural. And I also like the organic and human… the intrinsic, I guess. I always try to reconcile the dichotomy between the two and make it into something that is unique.”
The show is next Monday evening (2-20-12) at the Contemporary Arts Center in downtown Cincinnati. Buy Tickets for $13. Being at the CAC, the performance should have an added artistic visual element versus your normal concert venue experience that is sure to make this a memorable evening. Below you can check out a live performance of Zola Jesus performing “Poor Animal” courtesy of Seattle’s KEXP radio. Hope to see you there Cincinnati.
Connect with Zola Jesus via Facebook | Twitter
Written by Greg Dahman
Video: Kindness “Gee Up”
I enjoy music that is shrouded in mystery and for whatever reason the majority of it seems to come from Britain. Perhaps there’s a sense of privacy that still exists in the old homeland that doesn’t here. Or maybe it’s because we’re an ocean apart and things tend to trickle slower here from there. Or perhaps is just because the Brits make damn good music and don’t care very much for the American appeal to it. I don’t know what it is, but I know when I like something I hear.
Kindness is the latest Brit act to catch my ear. Maybe a one-man band ala Porcelain Raft, maybe not at all…this is a question even the Internet can’t seem to answer. All I know for sure is that it’s the project of Adam Bainbridge, and it’s some new disco funk. A few days ago he dropped a new video for his single “Gee Up”, a short but ridiculously good track that will leave you yearning for more. The video features an extremely awkward, yet hilariously funny, two-minute ending so be sure to stick around after the song ends for subtitles, shameless plugs, and witty one liners.
The debut album from Kindness is entitled World, You Need a Change of Mind and is due out on 3-19-12 courtesy of his own label Female Energy. Enjoy the weekend friends.
Connect with Kindness via MySpace
Written by Greg Dahman
Fresh Track + Video: Haybaby “Wash You”
The influence that Brooklyn has on the music we listen to is undeniable. As I take a step away from the hustle and bustle of a work trip I feel compelled to cover what is going on here tonight. As I scour the NYC scene a band with the name Haybaby grabs my attention. As I sit in my hotel introducing Haybaby to you I sense a certain emerging buzz. Spreading like a kindergarten classroom illness, from this blog to many, Haybaby has the genes to bust on the scene.
Haybaby is a garage rock trio that rides on heavy overtones and the vocals of Leslie Hong. Track, “Wash You” is the pick me up off the floor and slap me in the face wake-up call that we all love to be reminded of. This song is a genuine plea for change with the comforting support of rock n roll. Keep it on repeat.
Connect with Haybaby via Facebook
Written by Brett McGrath
Thought on Tracks 