Skip&Die are a fruity band of colourful characters, jungle rhythms and discreetly politicized ideas – generously garnished with bumpy dance styles and exotic arrangements. We enjoyed their sparkling show at the Dutch Impact event at the Great Escape at the Komedia on Friday.
As a live act, they are totally infectious. A gumbo of joyful celebration and prosperous abundance. Starting out as a collaboration between the South African singer and visual artist Catarina Aimee Dahms (aka Cata.Pirata) and Dutch producer Jori Collignon (C-mon & Kypski, Nobody Beats The Drum) the project has now developed into a full-fledged live band.
Songs like “Love Jihad” have scratchy backbones of sound that tend to run along the jagged edges, and rumble down the spines. On this song, a rubberized bass zings low, and spits out like a piece of meat on the hot-plate.
Crazy pirouettes of Eastern pipes hoop, gloop and play footsie against a flat horizon of didgeridoo and drone-pipes. All of this is magically woven together into a framework of irregularly sketched pieces – by the extraordinary voice and talented bravado of Cata. Her vocal is sinful and sinuous at times – and playfully protesting at others. But it’s always chirping and optimistic.
“Jungle Riot” is another huge tapestry of colorful fun. A dusky slow-setting supplicant moan of dark notes whirl and twirl for attention. Meanwhile, a surprising burst of drums creates a sand storming pebble-dash of dusty powder. The vocal is vigorously insolent and sardonic. And even if there is an element of tongue-in-cheek sarcasm in the distinctive lyrics, the sentiment is laudable and very smart.
At heart, though, this is a dance-along song. It’s a lace-skirt rustling joy of fun and frolics. Fruity, conceited and absolutely tempting.
New song “Anti-Capitalista” is another zither-wood twiddler of a song. All tongue twisting sharpness and effervescent velocity. Full of reco-reco ratchet-like sounds. But, like all Skip&Die pieces, this song harbours serious messages behind those lacy drawers and the Cha Cha Cha club-room rattles.
This band is totally recommended. They will get your party going. And they will keep it moving … long into the night.
@neilmach © 2013
All images @neilmach
Link: https://www.facebook.com/skipndie
Skip&Die were playing at The Great Escape Dutch Impact Show
Komedia Studio Bar, 44-47 Gardner Street. Brighton
RAW RAMP 