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On Halloween night 2009, I had the sincere honor of being invited to see what I can only refer to as the best kept secret in the American South, and no I don't mean Salma Hayek's long lost identical twin sister (that's a another story). I am referring to a sonic masterpiece known all around the Baton Rouge region as NADJIA. I had been a fan of their music for nearly a decade but have yet to see this enigma live, well that all changed, and I came away feeling nothing less than overly impressed.
The 5 piece keyboard heavy, guitar driven band (who will finish tracking a new album tentatively titled "Angels of Rust”) was performing their annual Halloween show at the ALAB Media recording compound. The studio is also owned and operated by vocalist, composer, and songwriter Mark Williams, a charismatic frontman who doesn't waste time with onstage banter between songs. As the clock neared the witching hour the band performed an 8 song set of new and old tunes to an adoring crowd of local fans in costume and one Damned Yankee. It was obvious from the get go to this reporter that the frontman, Williams, spared no expense in making this show and their performance a memorable night for all.
In a nutshell, NADJIA delivered a very unique, solidly tight, and spellbinding set which kicked off my personal favorite "Until the End of the World" and wrapped the set with their rendition of Jace Everett's "Bad Things", best known as the theme song to HBO's "True Blood". The experience certainly echoed the band’s main influences, Depeche Mode, Ministry, Skinny Puppy and Nine Inch Nails, but they also exhibit a unique sound and image all of their own.
“Some bands choose to make music for fame and fortune, while others - like Baton Rouge-based band NADJIA - love to create an experience that pushes the musical envelope.” And this is indeed true.
In a recent interview with the founder/vocalist at 2theadvocate.com by Rachel Jones it was best explained: "We prefer to make it more of an event. We take a different approach to music, and we have a really good time with our shows. We want to try and imprint on the people that see us a little piece of ourselves and give them something different and something more unique than just your standard rock show. It's a musical experience; it's art in motion," Williams said.
From my perspective, as much as Mark is the driving force of the band, the musicianship of the band members should not be overlooked. They are as tight and professional and spot on as most of the outfits on the circuit. Great job, gentlemen! I may be jaded and cynical, but came away impressed.
ALAB Media has offered a sneak peak of NADJIA's long awaited new album entitled "Angels of Rust" to be released sometime very soon, and you can hear samples of all their music at www.nadjia.net. Two of the newer songs were mixed by Martin Atkins with whom NADJIA has performed on several occasions.
NADJIA has been opening for some well known movers and shakers in their market, but they absolutely deserve to be heard in other regions as well. This writer can only hope to be the one who introduces their live show to Chicago and abroad. YES, they are THAT good!
(and thanks for not doing any Wesley Willis or Hank Jr.)
NADJIA
Mark Williams - vocals
Chris Deaton - keyboards
Jeff Smith - guitar
Nik Sharp - bass
Set List from Halloween 2009 Show
1. Until the End of the World
2. Angels of Rust
3. Red Leaves
4. Dead Alive
5. Don't Look Down
6. Kilgore
7. Rzrgrrl
8. Bad Things (Jace Everett cover)
The 5 piece keyboard heavy, guitar driven band (who will finish tracking a new album tentatively titled "Angels of Rust”) was performing their annual Halloween show at the ALAB Media recording compound. The studio is also owned and operated by vocalist, composer, and songwriter Mark Williams, a charismatic frontman who doesn't waste time with onstage banter between songs. As the clock neared the witching hour the band performed an 8 song set of new and old tunes to an adoring crowd of local fans in costume and one Damned Yankee. It was obvious from the get go to this reporter that the frontman, Williams, spared no expense in making this show and their performance a memorable night for all.
In a nutshell, NADJIA delivered a very unique, solidly tight, and spellbinding set which kicked off my personal favorite "Until the End of the World" and wrapped the set with their rendition of Jace Everett's "Bad Things", best known as the theme song to HBO's "True Blood". The experience certainly echoed the band’s main influences, Depeche Mode, Ministry, Skinny Puppy and Nine Inch Nails, but they also exhibit a unique sound and image all of their own.
“Some bands choose to make music for fame and fortune, while others - like Baton Rouge-based band NADJIA - love to create an experience that pushes the musical envelope.” And this is indeed true.
In a recent interview with the founder/vocalist at 2theadvocate.com by Rachel Jones it was best explained: "We prefer to make it more of an event. We take a different approach to music, and we have a really good time with our shows. We want to try and imprint on the people that see us a little piece of ourselves and give them something different and something more unique than just your standard rock show. It's a musical experience; it's art in motion," Williams said.
From my perspective, as much as Mark is the driving force of the band, the musicianship of the band members should not be overlooked. They are as tight and professional and spot on as most of the outfits on the circuit. Great job, gentlemen! I may be jaded and cynical, but came away impressed.
ALAB Media has offered a sneak peak of NADJIA's long awaited new album entitled "Angels of Rust" to be released sometime very soon, and you can hear samples of all their music at www.nadjia.net. Two of the newer songs were mixed by Martin Atkins with whom NADJIA has performed on several occasions.
NADJIA has been opening for some well known movers and shakers in their market, but they absolutely deserve to be heard in other regions as well. This writer can only hope to be the one who introduces their live show to Chicago and abroad. YES, they are THAT good!
(and thanks for not doing any Wesley Willis or Hank Jr.)
NADJIA
Mark Williams - vocals
Chris Deaton - keyboards
Jeff Smith - guitar
Nik Sharp - bass
Set List from Halloween 2009 Show
1. Until the End of the World
2. Angels of Rust
3. Red Leaves
4. Dead Alive
5. Don't Look Down
6. Kilgore
7. Rzrgrrl
8. Bad Things (Jace Everett cover)
MK Magazine Review of NADJIA Live at the 2009 Halloween Show
by Alex Zander
by Alex Zander
