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Barbarasteele
Art Punk / Soul
"barbarasteele is a band based in the bay area (San Francisco/Oakland). A band that plays a unique brand of art soul, art pop/rock. The band name was inspired by the actress Barbara Steele. She is most famous for appearing in some of the most inventive & groundbreaking giallo/horror/b movies of her time (60's). Ms. Steele is also well known for a striking supporting role in Fellini's high art masterpiece "8 1/2". "barbarasteele" the band hopes to emulate the juxtaposition of daring sophistication & smut that the great actress of the same name exuded beautifully.
"barbarasteele" came to life about 5 years ago when Mike Jalali (he was at the time a hip-hop/instrumental producer) approached Nero Nava about producing, & collaborating on some music. At the time Nero Nava was in an artistic transitional period. He had most recently been recording r&b music, and was toying with avant-garde, and experimental music. They discovered that their talents balanced each other out. A couple years into their project they decided to abandon their drum machines, and find a drummer. Justin Blaire Vial's rock aesthetic, nimble handed playing, and tom heavy fills were the perfect fit for Mike's rubber band like elastic bass lines, and Nero's Velvet Underground meets Prince's 'Dirty Mind' era scratchy rhythm guitar parts. Things were coming together, but there was still something missing from the equation. Many band members came and left the house of "barbarasteele", never filling the void. But the boys had their eyes on a female keyboardist in another local band. Dana Suchow was the missing ingredient. Her eye candy aura smile inducing stage presence & pop/soul musical taste brought everything full circle. "barbarasteele" had finally completed and balanced it's artistic vision.
Many music and art genre's live within the members of "barbarasteele"; Avant-garde music, soul music, art pop, rock, punk. But the "barbarasteele mantra is: "Create our own sound, a new sound, our own distinct brand of dance-romance music..."
Seeing "barbarasteele" live is seeing a truly artful minded show. The slick sights, the full sound, and stripped to audio nudity approach to playing live is what makes "barbarasteele" special. The unique mood, sensual stage show, and intimate approach to playing live is what makes them important. The cd's and vinyl exhibitions are collections of daring pop at it's very best. It is not about what you know, but what you are willing to learn (and accept). Fashion, theater, imagery and noise all play a role in music, but listen to this music as it is-something different (art-a true unique individual expression). Very rarely is there music you can dance, romance, sex, & think to.
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