Vanbot, born Esther Ideskog, is about to launch her new album Perfect Storm next week at home in Sweden.
But we had the privilege of seeing her perform a special show in London just a few days before the official launch.
Vanbot pointed out to the enthusiastic audience that this was her first ever appearance in London, at the superb Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen.
Not that we would have ever thought it … Her set was polished, the songs ordered and the musicianship was exemplary.
While trying to avoid the obvious comparisons with another blonde synth-pop artist from Stockholm (you know who we’re thinking of) we instead recalled another ice-blonde music maker (from a different place & time.) You may not agree with this. But we were thinking of Gwen Stefani!
You might think that’s strange, but we believe there are a lot of similarities between the two artists (imploring forehead wrinkles and beguiling glances are just the start of it.) We think that Vanbot shares the same vocal abilities as Stefani. Dropping to low levels at times, which are often densely earthy. Or fluttering off into the upper reaches of heaven… high above the normal palisades that ‘regular’ singers can achieve.
The show opener ‘The Way You Say It’ had a punchy beat, and those crystalized vocals.
They were puffed and billowed out like make-believe clouds of candytuft.
Then the more dextrous drums began to patter in. And that’s when that hooky-chorus slammed into us with those urgent synths.
The voice was attractive as sugar candy throughout… But always seemed diced with ginger and cardamon. In other words, there was always a hint of bitterness, perhaps even sadness, held back in each note.
Yes, this was a perfect pop performance by an entertaining and attention-grabbing singer. Vanbot knows exactly how to get an audience moving, while she is also able to remind us (through her song-writing) that there is a sad and challenging side to life. And that we should take care not to overlook that either…
Words: @neilmach 2015 ©
Link: https://www.facebook.com/vanbotmusic
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