Niki Barr
Your new rock princess?
The State Theatre - Falls Church, VA
October 6, 2005
Interview | Review | Pictures
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| Interview |
'Waiter, there's rain in my water.'
After some quick handshakes on the side stage of The State Theatre, we were
off to a local pub for some pre-concert dinner and conversation. With the
poster boy for Read Headed Stepchildren as our waiter, Niki Barr, tour
manager Pat Hester and myself sat down under the awning on a rainy Thursday
to discuss influences, crazy bus drivers and opening for U2.
Ok, Niki hasn't actually opened for U2, but when asked what her dream concert
would be, she said she'd like to open for them(after a long thoughtful pause).
Also on the list to open for was Coldplay(to ease a Chris Martin crush) and
on the reverse, she'd love to do a show where Butch Walker or Eminem opens
for her. For those that don't recognize Walker's name, he's just one of a list of
performers/industry names that worked with Niki on eight of the twelve tracks
for LUSH, Niki's first full length offering.
Top on the list of co-writers is the CD's producer, Jim Ebert(Meredith
Brooks, Cowboy Mouth, SR-71), who also produced her EP, The Other Side of
Me. When asked why she went back to Jim for the CD, Niki simply stated
that she just fit with Jim and that anyone who had worked with Jim would go
back to him. Niki's influences also point to why she would choose a true
rock producer. . . STP, Alanis Morrisette, Cure and Radiohead were the first
ones she could rattle off.
Even with all the influences and co-writers, Niki said that the four tracks
on the album that she wrote herself could be seen as what the true Niki Barr
sounds like and what fans can expect more of in the future. When I posed her
with the question that if someone could only listen to one song to get an
idea of what Niki Barr was about, the immediate response was her final track
on Lush, the strong ballad called "My Breathing Heart."
We took a break from the interview as our food was served and settled into
small chit chat and story telling, besides making fun of the waiter who
clearly wanted to be somewhere else. Between her sips of water(pre-show
drink, gin and tonic for post-show) and a genuine discussion of why I order
Coke with no ice, it was openly acknowledged that Niki likes to be in control
of any situation. She cited an example where she held all the band member's
plane tickets for their last trip outside the United States via the Armed
Forces Entertainment(AFE) program. Niki attributes some of her success
overseas with the AFE tours which sends artists to perform in front of troops
stationed around the world. At last count, Niki had been to 9 countries with
three more planned in December. Besides the obvious patriotism she feels
doing these tours, Niki also finds inspiration from the places they visit,
and also stocks up on her crazy tour stories like getting off base to play a
gig while in Germany, or their aggressive bus driver in Bosnia known as "Road
Rage Rudy."
With the rain over, our plates empty and the waiter in a slightly better
mood, I decided it was time for the "Get to know you" questions. For fun(and
when she can get the chance), Niki enjoys hitting the clubs of DC for some
dancing, and if there's a cover band playing, even better. Her iPod(as
answered by Niki and added onto by Pat) is filled with AC/DC, The Beatles,
Weezer, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jimi Hendrix, U2, Coldplay, Palo Alto and Depeche
Mode. Her ideal rider would include boxes of Power Bars(assortment of
flavors), with the simple reason that you can take them with you on the rest
of the tour and have one for each meal.
With our dinner over and me out of questions that I could print without being
sued, we bid a fond, fake smile, farewell to our waiter and headed back to the
theatre. Pre-show activities for Niki Barr include a cup of tea, reading a
newspaper, chatting with her band and meeting the other artists for the
night's performance. Niki didn't disappear to the green room until about
thirty minutes before her start time, so she can take in the sounds of the
other artists.
For me, pre-show activities included meeting some of the band members and
chatting with Niki's manager, Mike Marucci, on Niki's achievements and the
state of music in general. Mike was quick to point out Niki's reluctance to
sign with any label that would require "adjustments" for the artist to make,
and doesn't mind if that means being tagged as an Indie performer. Her music
is too important to her and the US labels are too restrictive for them to
reach a compromise yet. However, Niki has been doing well overseas,
especially in the United Kingdom where Mike says the people are more
embracing to her music and don't want to see her changed into just another
Avril, Hilary, Brittany, etc. . . The East Coast is also strong for Niki
since she is based in Maryland and with a recent request from Nick Harcourt(
host of Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW in Santa Monica, CA and noted for
helping to launch numerous artists, RM.c favorite Jem just as an example), they're hoping soon to
get some play on the West Coast as well.
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'The male guitarist wants some cover-up'
Although this show was advertised as "Women of Rock", the promoters used a
broad definition of "rock." Kristin Diable was the first to take the stage.
With her band just recently leaving Kristin alone in New York, moving back to
their native Baton Rouge, Kristin took the stage with her guitar and
keyboard, and that's all she really needed. With a silky, southern voice
introduced in a blues style, Kristin's selections emphasized her vocal
skills over her guitar or keyboard talents. Although enjoyable, it was hard
to remember this was supposed to be a "rock" show. I caught up with Kristin
after the show where she explained that due to the recent split with her
band, she was forced to do the songs in her catalog more suitable for solos,
but that her new CD to be released in November would have the full range of
her talents.
The second on the bill of three was Laura Burhenn, a DC area artist with a
slow, melodic rock style. Playing along with drums and bass, Laura played a
number of her tunes from behind her keyboard as well. Burhenn's selections
came from her current release, wanderlust as well as a newer
composition inspired by the disaster the Tsunami left behind. Laura's voice
comes through as passionate, as tends to be the staple for melodic indie rock
artists.
As the Thursday night lagged on, the stage was switched and Nate Brown, Niki
Barr's drummer, took to his set and started to lay down his beats. On his
heals where lead guitarist, Island Styles, guitarist, Frank Silver, and
bassist, Scott Ensign who all started into some riffs. Last on stage was
Niki who jumped right into her first single from Lush, "Wasted Time."
Imagine three gladiators in a five-foot-three capsule and that's the energy
and intensity of Niki Barr. I had a glimpse of it during our interview with
her passionate answers and her speed at correcting me when I misspoke the
name of one of her tracks(I called "My Breathing Heart", "My Breaking Heart"
by mistake). Niki's street clothes had been replaced by red pants, a black
button-down with a black and red tie hanging around her neck. Her short hair
that had been tied back earlier was now scattered across her face and off
flying with every move she made(see picture above on right).
The band didn't rest for the first few songs, blowing through tracks from
Lush such as "Sooner or Later," "Leave it Alone," and "Holiday" before
Niki decided to address the crowd. Her stage presence and audience command
is strong, but understandable as she's been playing live since she was 15.
The music itself is of brilliant design. The drums, lead guitar and vocals
attain a unique partnership with the two rhythm guitars and bass filling in
the holes without being obtrusive. It's also obvious that drummer Nate has
the mission to start and set the tone for most songs, which is uncommon for
newer, singer-named bands that must revolve around it's star. Although the
star, Niki can become just a member of the band as she moves upstage-left to
jam with Frank and Scott. Meanwhile, Nate is on his drum riser, upstage and
centered, while Island wears a path up and down stage right.
Niki's voice is one that needs to be experienced live to understand it's
power and potential. With so many voices being produced on CD, it's
refreshing, and amazing, to hear this young, small framed woman fill up a
cavernous venue with her strong, warm vocals. Most impressive are her
ballads, notably "My Breathing Heart," where you know Niki is singing from
her soul. Although the song calls for that well known loud belting sound,
Barr has the control that so many other artists lack, and instead of plugging
your ears, you're drawn to move with the audience(except for the one girl
that did the kick-hop move ALL night. You know it. . .you hop and kick with
the left foot and then hop and kick with your right foot, meanwhile your
arms flail back and forth).
Ending the night with a one song encore of Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean"(and the
only cover) the Niki Barr experience was over with a whoosh. The full,
strong sound of the band that had filled the venue for an eleven song set was
gone(taking into consideration the inevitable concert tinnitus), leaving many
in awe. And while the CD is good, it just doesn't compare to the live sound
that this band of five can produce.
Although she's "indie" and "young", Barr has obviously surrounded herself
with the right people that help draw the best performance out of her. Some
have called Niki the new Joan Jett. Niki's here to let people know that her
name isn't Joan and that it's due time for a new female led rock experience
that will inspire, entertain and in this one guy's opinion, just needs to be
heard by the masses to be accepted.
Mike Jewsbury
RadioMojo.com
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