And the story goes…I first met AmyJo in October 2019 through a common friend –the great Lee Chamberlain from Alpha Circle– who invited me to check out her show at a venue in Latina, Madrid. “It’s an acoustic performance”, he said. I happen to be a fan of the guitar + vocals format, as it allows the listener to get the ‘naked’ version of the songs and makes for an intimate performance. Therefore, I walked into the venue with that concept in mind. Indeed, the performance was intimate but far removed from a performer just strumming a guitar over vocals. AmyJo came on stage with a ‘Karen O’ circa 2004 outfit and handed and array of toy instruments to those in attendance, to then crack a few jokes and start her set with the energy of a hurricane. It hit me right in the face…and I loved it!!! She encouraged the audience to clap and sing along, making us feel like were on stage with her while being at the greatest party ever.
The track that gives the name to the EP ‘Smile & Dance’ starts out with Bloc Party (banquet) drums and a Debbie Harry like vocal doing ‘Maria’, accompanied by an enticing bassline and minimalistic guitar work. Elements that work perfectly together, strutting on route to CBGB’s with the swagger of a very well-rehearsed gang of rockers settled on nothing but getting signed by Seymour Stein. Less than a minute into the song we hear Amy Jo confidently sing (I also got the mental image of her commanding the troupe with a tambourine): “Smile like you have never smiled before / and dance like it’s your first time on the dancefloor”. From that moment on the band lets it all out, making the song an instant crowd favourite while becoming spiritual label mates of the Talking Heads and the Pretenders. I would like to highlight the bridge where the band gets to showcase their skills, constructing an atmospheric landscape, with syncopated beats and synth textures, mixed with spoken word…genius! “Smile and dance / cuz you’re here anyway,” that’s AmyJo singing in the coda as Seymour nods to his head of A&R, who in turn instructs the intern to blast the volume for all of midtown Manhattan to listen to this 24 kt gold. plated gem. I’m hooked and I want others to taste the potion!!!
‘Now it’s gone’ channels Madness at their purest. Ska guitars complemented by a horn section and an equally sexy vocal delivery courtesy of AmyJo, both seducing the airwaves and building up the track to let the guitar wail away with a thunderous solo. AmyJo sings: “Don’t wanna think that someone took It away from me”…trust me, nobody could have gotten a hold of that guitar solo as it was ripping out of the speaker. Rock fans out there, beware.
Other tracks include the Johnny Marr guitar sounding ‘Arise’, and the more Elastica-belligerent ‘Rats’ and ‘New Year’s Revolution’. All three ready-made for this summer’s festivals, denoting this band’s talent and their ability to craft a set of songs that supersede the bounds of 432Hz, making me feel –just as I when I saw AmyJo’s acoustic set- like I was at the greatest party ever. This is a long awaited cocktail of nu wave and dance rock that will make streaming platforms collapse : )
Those of us lucky to be based in Madrid will have a chance to catch the band launch their brand new EP next Friday the 13th at ‘la Cocina’ (Get tickets here). Will you join us??? You have to!!!