in a manner of speaking

Last night's Nouvelle Vague show at Joe's Pub was 15 times better than the first show they played here in new york. The big difference was drums and percussions, which were lacking the last time around. After all, you can't play Bossa Nova without the proper rythmics!
The band delivered a wonderfully lush and entertaining performance. I'm a big fan of the concept, and i feel you have to be to really enjoy Nouvelle Vague. On the album, they use about 8 different singers, but on tour they can only take so many. Camille (the crazy/fun one) and Melanie (the cute one) are the constant singers, last night they were joined by a third girl named Phoebe. Playing through most of the album and adding about four extra songs, the set went by so quickly, i almost wanted them to keep playing for another hour. The girls went from being silly on stage to toning it down and captivating every one of your emotions through the fragility of their beautiful voices, In a manner of speaking was one of those moments. Probably the most hilarious part of the night was at the very end when Camille asked for a couple of girls to come up on stage and sing back-up vocals on a slightly different version of I just can't get enough... Camille ended up making complete fun of the girls' cheesy dance moves and made the entire audience laugh!
Nouvelle Vague isn't a conventional band, and neither are their shows, and that's what is so refreshing about them. When i left, i was itching to get re-acquainted with old Joao Gilberto records.

Camille and Melanie opening the show with A Forest.

The three girls dancing on top of the bar during Too drunk to fuck... Camille took two bottles of expensive liquor from the bar and poured it in everyone's glasses. Comme á la maison!

Fiona

Another good show at Rothko tonight!
Melody Nelson and Jenyk/dot/com present...

11pm - The Kites
10pm - Mahogany
9pm - The Kelly Affair
8pm - Dirty Perfect (UK)

7:30pm :: $10 :: 21+ ::
Check out the VICIOUS site for info on the bands.
Rothko :: 116 Suffolk St. Between Rivington and Delancey St.

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From the inbox:
"COME BE IN FIONA'S TV COMMERCIAL, WEDNESDAY, 9/14!
If you're in the New York City area, you can be in Fiona's TV commercial promoting her new album, extraordinary machine. Be prepared to talk about why you love her music. We'll be taping this Wednesday, September 14, at 11am at Loft 11, 336 W. 37th St. between 8th and 9th Avenue in Manhattan."

Fiona will also be doing an in-store performance on the 20th at Virgin Megastore Union Square.
And because i'm a freak with dates and birthdays, i remembered that today's her birthday.

tiny meat

Tomorrow the new stellastarr* album comes out, and to celebrate i've got a cool contest. You can win a limited edition TinyMeat wallet and some other goodies! Just email me at contest(at)melodynelson.com with "stellastarr*" in the subject line, and i'll be picking winners randomly.

I'm looking for 3 winners:
1st: Autographed TinyMeat Wallet, Vinyl Single (Sweet Troubled Soul/Love and Longing), Poster, Stickers, Pins
2nd/3rd: Vinyl Single (Sweet Troubled Soul/ Love and Longing), Poster, Stickers, Pins

If you enter the contest, you'll be automatically added to the stellastarr* mailing list unless you specify otherwise. Listen to the first single:
stellastarr* :: Sweet Troubled Soul:
Real Player :: WMP

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Speaking of stellastarr*, the release party last week was a lot of fun, i loved DJing at The Cabana, such a nice space. Lots of people were there, including my friend Marco from London who always brings me the coolest new tunes from across the atlantic. I'll be sure to mention those bands if they're any good.
Also, a big thanks to all who stopped by ATOMIQUE last week. Eamon is away, so my friends Sheila B. and Dr. Chrome came by to play music with me and we had a blast rotating, doing a song each. They may come back this week to help me again!

Le One Night Stand on saturday was another big success... Les Sans Culottes played such a great show in front of a packed Scenic. People love that band, and understandably! My favorite part are the Yé-Yé covers they do in their set. The rest of the night was spent spinning french songs from all decades. I love that new yorkers dig that kind of music, even when they don't really know it.