MUSEXPO 2009 A&R Worldwide Artist Showcase: Tuesday Night

MUSEXPO 2009 was still going strong for their third night. Although I had begun to worry that this year’s roster wasn’t living up to my expectations set from last year’s event, I was definitely not disappointed by Tuesday night. Overall, the artists were more entertaining, more accessible to audience, and it ended as well as it had begun.

I had actually gotten there before they introduced the first act but didn’t have the schedule with me beforehand, so the first act took me by great surprise. Soul-funk-pop vocalist Jessie J redeemed anything the night could have brought and I thanked God that she was chosen to open the night.

Want to know how my entire night down on Tuesday? Check it out all below as I give you the breakdown for each artist – and of course – there is a an incredible live photo gallery included, so you can feel like you were there with me!

Artist Showcase [Tuesday, April 28th]

JESSIE J 8:00 The Viper Room

After a few minutes of trying to deal with a malfunction that my photographer had (the flash would not stay off!), I finally walked back into the Viper Room area where an obvious pop song started. However, what WASN’T obvious was this female on stage. I heard her voice before I saw her on stage. It was the most powerful sound I had heard all week and it was coming from this skinny British girl with pale skin and short dark hair.

Although the first number didn’t ignite a dance party, Jessie J’s vocals were rough, bright, and nothing less than a storm of authority putting her following acts in place. Only 21 years old, and a former hair model, this ball of energy in high heels had the audience at her beck and call. If the first song didn’t captivate everyone in the room, (although how could that have been possible?), her following songs “Catwalk” (a song about how she just wanted to dance at the end of a catwalk during her modeling days) and “Stand Up” (a song about how you could be proud of yourself and know who and what you are without any influences such as drugs or alcohol) brought the house DOWN.

Audience participation, stories of lovers who came too quick, and conversations about how she hurt her shoulder during the last number all had us fall in love quickly with Jessie J’s powerhouse vocals and stage persona. She may say she’s just a girl from Essex London, UK, but her ability to perform is what she will be known for as long as she opens her mouth and expresses herself in that charming style. My favorite act of the night: Hands down.

http://www.myspace.com/musicjessiej

RUBY TIGERS 8:30 The Whiskey

Although Jessie J’s personal conversations made her set run away over on time, I still managed to see a part of Ruby Tiger’s set in the Whiskey afterward. Just from crossing Sunset, I could already hear that they were on the commercial, radio-friendly side of alternative rock. There isn’t anything wrong with that. Get your music heard and if you get enough spins, everyone will know your name. That’s how all business works. However, the thing about being a radio-friendly band is the difficulty to stand apart from the other wannabe superstars begging for air time.

Brisbane-based band, Ruby Tigers, have the potential to make their fan-base grow bigger than it already is in Australia. I just couldn’t help myself comparing them to a mixture of two components: First, the Midwest rockers who like to head bang to Lifehouse and 3 Doors Down (I’ve actually seen this become a reality before) and secondly, the wide appeal of bands such as INXS and U2.

If I am honest, I have to say Ruby Tigers’ sound is not one of my top preferences, but they are definitely a talented group who I see gaining worldwide attention in the future. Massive hit over here in the States soon? It’s very possible for Ruby Tigers.

http://www.myspace.com/rubytigeres

CHRIS PICKERING 9:00 The Viper Room

As I walked back into the Viper Room, I didn’t expect the stage to be set up so intimately. There stood Chris Pickering wearing a guitar and a harmonica and his two band mates (his bass player and his drummer) stood loyally beside him. Pickering looked as if he had stepped right out of a Western movie. His sound wasn’t too far away from his attire. Although he is based in both Brisbane and Nashville, I could definitely see this earnest country boy through his Johnny Cash-like outfit and honest lyrics.

Although Pickering’s genres include “alternative/country/indie,” what I like most about his style is that his vocals aren’t over the top country. He somewhat sounds like Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab For Cutie and Postal Service fame) going Nashville. Actually, as his set progressed I realized I could easily place him in a play list full of Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams and Jenny Lewis. Chris Pickering is country, but he’s the country I listen to. There’s always something endearing about a guy playing his heart out on both guitar and harmonica, and I was happy to accept his southern sounds tonight.

http://www.myspace.com/chrispickering

DOMENICA 9:30 The Whiskey

Fronted by a former model who chose music instead of the runway, Domenica was a group who were the first band to completely rock my face off. There stood this tall blonde bombshell in a black t-shirt, a pair of black pants in black boots. It’s no wonder this girl used to be a model. She could pull any look off. However, it wasn’t her style I was paying attention to. It was her ability to completely rock out with a backing band of boys who I assumed felt lucky enough to be playing grunge metal with her.

Tight beats from the drummer, good distortion on the bass, and a nice pair of guitars playing off of each other had finally made the me feel a little more at home in the Whiskey. Although the distortion on the bass got a little old after a while (on every song), I loved the fact that this former model was telling an audience consisting mostly of males to “Shut your fucking mouth.” She had an excellent balance of having gorgeous and the usual grunge metal vocals. Although I think a band fronted by such an awesome female could have a better name, I’d put Domenica up there with Tool.

http://www.myspace.com/domenicamusic

YVES KLEIN BLUE 10:00 The Viper Room

Unfortunately, I was very late to the Viper Room’s next set with Yves Klein Blue (YKB), and it’s a shame because this band automatically bumped Domenica out of second place in my top three acts for the night. As I looked up to the stage, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Franz Ferdinand with the way the lead vocalist was dressed. Down to the details of the hair to the brown jacket to the the shoes. A second after I noticed that, they started a song that sounded like it could have come off of Franz Ferdinand’s new album.

I will have to say that this band is definitely one I would pick for a Know Your LA Bands feature, that is if they lived here. Want to take a gander at where YKB resides? Yep – They’re another Brisbane, Queensland, Australia band. I’m not sure why tonight seemed to highlight all the Brisbane bands (or why the entire event seemed to), but it was all right with me if I could listen to a band like YKB in exclusive setting like this while I dance my little heart out.

Again, YKB could easily be a popular request on Indie 103.1. They’ve got their own style, a unique sound, and an ability to make the entire room (at least the front of it – industry people can be so uptight) dance to their catchy licks. I just wish the Viper Room didn’t get so stuffy when there actually is dancing though, because right before their last song I had to get out and go for a smoke and some air (Buzz off, you non-smokers.) However, right as I did that the lead vocalist definitely reprimanded me with, “HEY!” Hey, guys. I didn’t leave because you were bad. You were actually one of the best of the night. I absolutely loved “Getting Wise.” I’m sorry if I was rude, but if you want an apology, I’d be more than happy to give it tonight. I’ll be the Asian chick with the red-haired photographer.

http://www.myspace.com/yveskleinbluemusic

YOUNG LOVE 10:30 The Whiskey

FINALLY! A New York band! A great one, too! Having just released their brand new album, One of Us, Young Love was the biggest dance act to hit the Whiskey stage during this entire event so far. Acting as a basic headliner for The Whiskey tonight, it wasn’t just industry people from the MUSEXPO event having a good time down in the pit.

Lead vocalist, Dan Keyes, may have left his Austin band who was already signed to a major label, but the electro pop beats he puts with drums and guitar is absolutely amazing. I’m sorry, but I don’t even care about his former band. Young Love was definitely the funnest group act we’ve had all night and I’m glad that there was finally a good New York dance band being represented at the 4-day event. The best part of the act was when Keyes hopped down from stage. (He did not dive, because according to Whiskey rules “You stage dive, you go home.”) He got the front of the crowd pumped more than they already were, but the funny part was when he basically immersed himself into the audience, stood in the middle, and faced the band onstage while he grooved to the music just as everyone else.

I had heard of Young Love before, but never got a chance to listen to their music. After tonight’s performance, I will definitely be digging their stuff for a while.

http://www.myspace.com/younglove

SALEM 11:00 The Viper Room

Although I was surprised that the night didn’t end with another hip-hop act, Swedish singer, Salem, was the cutest closing act. I really don’t like to use the term “cute” in reviews but Salem was so endearing I wanted to give him a giant hug. Obviously talented on the keys, he and his band played simple but powerful songs that were sometimes “massive hits” in Sweden or sometimes just new. Whatever they were, Salem played his heart out as he sat behind that keyboard in his green and black plaid shirt strapped under suspenders.

He had the hairstyle that reminded me of Life Is Beautiful‘s Roberto Benigni, and I found it amusingly enchanting when he would say, “Here go,” instead of “Here we go.” I can see why some of his songs were hits in Sweden. His songwriting is without a doubt concise and elegant and although the keys are the foundation for every song, the arrangements for his other band members enhance the melody in a very bewitching way. Based on their BILLION MySpace friends, would I be correct to assume that Salem is the Swedish Coldplay? Highlights from Salem’s set were “Astronaut” and “It’s True.”

By the way, big ups to the Viper Rom emcee who said drinks were still being sold after the set had ended. “It’s true!” It was true, indeed.

http://www.myspace.com/salem

LIVE PHOTO GALLERY: Photography courtesy of Taylor Loftin

My favorite three acts of the night? 1) Jessie J 2) Yves Klein Blue 3) Domenica

What are yours? We’ve got ONE MORE of international artists! Stay tuned for a coverage of tonight’s artist showcase!

To find more info, you can go to the official MUSEXPO website.