Juana Molina + Blue Roses
Date: 27 April 2009
"Juana Molina demanded authority like Mother Earth, with hair like a briar patch and sturdy art teacher shoes; she was nonetheless sexy in a fair trade, organic kind of way."
Aisha Christison
The ICA became the perfect refuge from a miserable Monday evening, where nature meets music and where people wearing thick-rimmed glasses and chukka boots can come together without the harmful judgement of the outside world. They're here for good reason tonight, as the speculated Juana Molina, renowned for her ambient other worldly music, and the aptly-named Blue Roses from Yorkshire are on the bill for a more natural evening of entertainment
In a dark room with blue birds glowing and the audience mutually sitting, the night's opening act, Blue Roses were received with legs crossed and eyes wide. On stage a mythical hybrid of Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell stood before us and in opening her mouth transported the audience into a fairytale land. The voice of Laura Groves, harmonised itself, but with help from a violin, an electric piano and occasionally some percussion, morphed into a mellifluous, mesmerising mouthful of a performance. In between songs she cooed us with her peaceful Yorkshire accent before repositioning behind a new instrument for the next song. With Does Anyone Love Me Now the drums kicked in and she left her mark as a very notable female singer/songwriter to watch out for.
The moment of calm for Blue Roses was over and the audience are now standing, waiting piously for the Argentinean Juana Molina. It now became evident to those who were less familiar with her music that she is looked upon with adoration and there was a lingering feeling that we were about to witness something special. Sure enough, as she took the stage there was uproar and the audience were silenced by her presence. Armed with synthesizers and loop pedals she began looping melodies and vocals, which were craftily constructed to produce raw beautiful sound that encapsulated noise of the earth and with her wild vocals calling out, every foot tapping was urged to get physically carried away with her. Juana Molina demanded authority like Mother Earth with hair like a briar patch and sturdy art teacher shoes she was nonetheless sexy in a fair trade, organic kind of way and like her music, has to be experienced live to get the full effect. But having excited every soul in the room the trance inevitably ended and left the audience literally stomping for more and she returned, without ego, to leave her voice resonating throughout our unconscious as we made our way out. The evening was ultimately divine, Blue Roses warmed our hearts and our souls were enlightened thanks to Juana Molina. I strongly recommend both for an uplifting evening you won't regret.
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Comment(s)
Danilo Prates
i donīt know Blue Roses, but Juana Molina is gorgeous! iīm going to london in june to stay for 1 year. i hope you bring her again. =)
Posted: 9:41 pm | 6 May 2009