Frida Kill at TV Eye (photo by Kate Hoos)

 

A rock n roll show on a school night (or any night) sounds like my kind of good time. This was also a night for all of these bands to kick off their 2023 of shows and with several friends on the bill, I was more than happy to be on-hand to see them and support.

 

The show was kicked off by folk singer songwriter, Jummy Aremu aka War Violet, and having vastly over relied on “punk time” to plan my arrival, I got there just as she was starting her last song, very much to my chagrin. But alas, there will be more shows and I can keep myself busy with her EP, Getaway, while I wait for another show. Next up was Raisalka which features current and former members of bands like Haybaby, AK & the Hallucinations and Fraidycat among others and bills themselves as “water demon dream rock” which translates to grunge infused indie rock that I definitely need more of in my life. The group does not have any recorded output that I could find online, but here’s hoping that changes soon. Both of these artists were ones that I had seen their name around on flyers and such for a while (and on shows we have listed in FTA) but it was my first time seeing both; it surely won’t be my last.

 

And in the third and fourth slots— and the reason I came out to the show— was the double header of Americana/rockabilly twinged noir shoegazers, Leathered, and feminist post garage rockers Frida Kill, two of my favorite Brooklyn bands. Speaking of favorites, Leathered put out one of our favs of 2022, A Reckoning, which our very own Chantal (who also attended the show) especially loved (read her review). On their live set she offered this “I really liked the album, but wondered if the atmosphere of the songs would carry over to a live setting, and was happy that not only did they sound great, the band gets a really full sound out of only three people.” Indeed, with the help of an array of pedals and impressive chops, they really get a very nuanced and textured sound on the record and in person.

 

 

Frida Kill also got a nod in our favorites of 2022 with their debut release, EP1, being one of my picks as well as being tapped by two other contributors for the honor. They played all of the songs from it and included a few brand new songs in their set: “Inevitably,” “Anxiety” and “Painkiller” a noisy rager featuring bassist Maria Lina on lead vocals which in particular I can already tell is bound to be new favorite. Word on the street is they are working on their debut full length and will have that ready sometime this year. They will also be touring to Stoop Fest in April and I am half tempted to jump in the van with them to ride out for the festivities.

 

 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and again and again and again) don’t sleep on your local scene. The best bands on earth are right there underneath your nose, trust me.

Scroll down for pics of the show (photos by Kate Hoos)

 

 

WAR VIOLET

 

 

RAISALKA

 

 

LEATHERED 

 

 

FRIDA KILL