Let me tell you, I've got to get myself to Helsinki, because if Husky Rescue is indicative of the sound coming from there, I have a feeling I'm going to have a good time. Also, if all the woman look like lead singer Reeta-Leena Korhola, I'd fall in love every where I walk. Of course, lets not forget about the architecture in Helsinki. Also, I need to check out the days where it's sunlight for 20 hours of the day. How surreal must that be?
Cross Husky Rescue off my list of foreign bands I've been waiting to come to the U.S. Tonight, they made their New York City debut to a small crowd at Mercury Lounge. They didn't disappointment at all -- far from it. They were exactly the type of band I needed after a long week -- chilled out, airy melodies, beautiful, sexy vocals and just a little bit of that funky 70s beat to give a little flavor. Their bio describes them as David Lynch meets Bambi -- meaning that it's a dark, scary dream music about beautiful things.
In any event, it's always good to see a live band give me a mellow feeling rather than rocking act. The mastermind is Marko Nyberg, who in the pictures if the tall blond guy with the faint mustache. His music can be gentle and soothing, then he can switch on the guitar to create that wacka-cha, wacka char effect reminiscent of 70s funk.
Me being a guy, you can't take your eyes or your ears off Reeta, who could be the coolest, most laid back lady to ever grace the stage at hipster haven Mercury Lounge. She sings like she's in a constant state of ease, almost a trance-like state. She looks over the crowd slyly while singing "City Lights," "Sweet Little Kitten" and "New Light of Tomorrow." Not too flirty, not too sexy, just the right amount of vocal presence for the music. She should sing the next James Bond theme.
The song that turned me onto them, "Summertime Cowboy" (live video below) is a sonically pleasing, slightly dancey number. She introduced the song by saying, "The purpose of this tour was to find me a summertime cowboy." Well I said to myself, "Helllooooooooooo, nurse! Where can I fill out an application to be your summertime cowboy?" Pretty much every guy wanted to buy her a drink after that intro.
So check out their myspace page and sample the goods. They're on the Minty Fresh label, home to The Cardigans, Tahiti 80 and Bettie Serveert. After Husky Rescue was done, they had to back up their stuff and head to their next gig .. at 2:30 am at Pianos. Very strange. Their myspace page has more U.S. tour dates on the West Coast.
A little pleasant surprise was opening act and Hushy Rescue's tour buddies Elanors. The Chicago based band features a husband and wife team who are steeped in creating atmospheric pop/classical music. It's slightly Radiohead, slightly Keane with more orchestrations. The lead singer Noah Harris has an amazing voice. I said to myself, "He shouldn't be in a band. Someone should sign this guy to Broadway." He has a flawless, effortless voice. It reminded me of Damien Rice and Christopher Cross. He has no formal vocal training and he just learned the piano a year ago.
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