Thao Nguyen
Wed 18 Jun 2008
Swimming in Colours
The colourful character that is Thao Nguyen creates beautiful, homespun gems of folky goodness. Radiating soul, life and colours in her hearty singing backed with thumpy handclaps, jerky piano and rustling rustic bass, it’s like an old friend came rattling back into town on a horse-drawn carriage and proclaimed they’re here for a good time. One thing about Thao is that she’s actually been around for a long time, though. Now with full band The Get Down Stay Down (surely one of the best band names ever), including Frank Stewart on lead guitar and production/magic, Adam “The OK BIRD” Thompson on bass and bird noises and Willis Thompson on drums, Thao’s positive and enduring staying power has a little bit of that magic in itself, that many of her contemporaries lack. This could be credited to her powerful songwriting that creates punchy and extremely likeable tunes – songs that prove to house a wide umbrella of fans. From old to young to hip to… not so hip, I can see anybody liking Thao with The Get Down Stay Down. Anyone with an appreciation for a solid tune with a propensity to meander into a beautiful abyss of folklore story telling, ’90s-sounding pop hits, Bjork or Alanis-esque quirk and talent for vocals. It’s simply nice music that’ll make you smile.
Like Mother Bird feeding the Baby Birds
Enjoy a selection of her eclectic collection of songs, below. Ranging from 2005′s Like The Linen, to 2006′s Daytrotter Session and The Sound The Hare Heard to this year’s We Brave Bee Stings And All, the latter of which with the delightful and rather magical Get Down Stay Down. Like a more seasoned Beirut on Beat (Health, Life & Fire) after her more introspective solo-sounding material, The Get Down Stay Down has definitley helped Thao decorate and elaborate on her lush, orchestral, modern gypsy-sounding ideas. Thao has definitely matured with the band, but all her songs remain folk gems.
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down – Beat (Health, Life & Fire): MP3
Thao Nguyen – Fear and Inconvenience: MP3
Thao Nguyen – Feet Asleep: MP3
Thao with The Get Down Stay Down – Myspace
Posted by Sarah Gooding under U.S.A
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