I first discovered this band when I was up late at night flicking through the many music channels, filtering through the crap for some nugget of a tune that caught my attention. As I did this, suddenly this haunting melody gripped me and my eye was drawn to this girl riding a BMX towards me through the pitch-black night, on what seemed an endless track! I watched the music video avidly, the animal-masked riders weaving in and out from behind the girl. I saw elements of David Lynch (particularly Lost Highway), elements of Halloween and elements of a child's dream/nightmare. At the end of the music video the artist was revealed, a group called Bat For Lashes and the song "What's a Girl To Do" - I was under her spell!
Bat For Lashes, otherwise known as Natasha Khan is the lead singer and founder of this eclectic outfit, she is part Pakistani but grew up in Brighton (which is refreshing to know, as there are not many Pakistanis in the music industry to my knowledge). Bat For Lashes comprises of Caroline Weeks (backing vocals and violin), Lizzy Carey (bass guitar) and Abi Fry (on viola, who would later go on to join British Sea Power). Natasha also creates much of the accompanying artwork for her album herself, using inks, watercolour and collage to create a mesmeric piece to complement the mood of the music well (especially demonstrated in my favourite piece that adorns the cover of the Bat For Lashes single "The Wizard"). Bat For Lashes debut album Fur and Gold was short-listed for the 2007 Mercury Music Prize, but was beaten to the punch by Klaxons.
On Monday 29th October 2007, Bat For Lashes held the last leg of their Fur and Gold tour at Camden's KOKO venue. At this point word had spread throughout the media that this bright new talent was up for a Mercury award and unsurprisingly reflecting this growing interest, the KOKO performance sold out! Fortunately, to the benefit of those that missed the opportunity to get the KOKO tickets the first time around, Bat For Lashes announced a second live performance at the KOKO, taking place on the day before! Alas, just like the original gig, the newly added date sold out just as quick, after all Bat For Lashes was a hot commodity! Luckily I was in possession of tickets for both nights, so had the great chance to enjoy the company of Bat For Lashes twice in a row!
On the days leading up to the gig, I immersed myself in everything I could find Bat For Lashes related and one song particularly was on constant repeat: "The Wizard". There's something so enchanting about the opening piano melody that just transfixes me to the spot whenever I hear it! Another favourite song of mine from Bat For Lashes, is a cover of "The Boss" Bruce Springsteen's "I'm On Fire" (which is a bonus track available only on the US issue of Fur and Gold, BUT for those outside the US never fear - as it's also included on the "Prescilla" single!) This particular cover is unlike the majority of cover songs out there (which on a whole, tend to be a poor attempt at the original) in that it not only brings onboard a new envisioning of the original song but in my opinion actually succeeds in ways the original could not do - which is a very rare thing!
When I first walked into the KOKO, I was immediately taken aback by the vintage décor of the venue itself, which has a rich history that gives it a unique old world charm of its own. The stage had undergone a transformation of its own for the night ahead, with scenery that depicted a glittery winter scene complete with fake trees, which looked dead and leafless just like it had been weathered, fitting both the atmosphere of the music and the convenient placement of the date of the gigs with that of Halloween (only days away!) As more and more people arrived for the show, I spied a lady with a bucket who was handing out paper masks and lyric booklets that were filled with new artwork from Natasha!
After the initial sound checks the show kicked off with the support act Spleen, a French hip-hop band fronted by an uninhibited Frenchmen in a red tutu who during the band's performance asked a female from the crowd to come up onstage for one of their more romantic numbers! Then during another song Spleen's frontman with microphone in hand, jumped off the stage and dived into the crowd, carrying on the show from the stalls level unaffected, despite being carried around by the tide of hands! Finally when he got closer to the stage, he cheekily stole a kiss from a nearby girl and jumped back on the stage and resumed position.
The stage was set for Bat For Lashes to arrive! As Natasha came on, I couldn't help but notice her dazzling attire, she was draped in a resplendent golden tunic & matching headband and around her neck fine gold jewellery - she looked every bit a gypsy girl! Suddenly the atmosphere of the gig became something akin to a ceremony and it was easy to mistake Natasha for a shaman! As Natasha came up to the microphone and chimed what seemed to be a small bell, she softly spoke some words in French. Although I couldn't understand their meaning, their mere delivery was a sweet sound to my ears, as Natasha uttered those words, dramatic string harmonies could be heard and were building up to the song "Trophy". Along with playing material off of Fur and Gold, a new song called "Missing Time" was performed live, it's sound more of a departure from the familiar orchestral setup and instead introducing a more synthetic and electronic touch to the sound.
Bat For Lashes also did a tender cover of Tom Waits' song "Lonely", which complemented the last song "Bat's Mouth" very well. For the performance of "Sarah", Natasha introduced a new instrument, a wooden percussive stick or as I like to refer to as the "Boom Stick" (watch Army of Darkness), that Natasha picked up whilst on holiday, what was interesting about the "Boom Stick" is that carved upon its surface was the face of some bearded sage! During the performance of "Sarah", Natasha would bang the "Boom Stick" against the wooden surface of the stage, creating a continuous metronome and beat for the song to build upon.
The Monday performance not only marked the last night of the Fur and Gold tour but was also the final performance with Abi Fry, not only that but it was also Abi's birthday that very same night! So as not to overshadow the whole night by Abi's departure, after Bat For Lashes performed "Moon + Moon" (which appeared at first to be the final song of the night, as Natasha gave a notable mention one-by-one to all the musicians that performed that night), Natasha on the other hand, had a special surprise in store waiting for everyone - especially Abi. Just as Natasha finished introducing Abi, Natasha then let slip that "It's Abi's Birthday tonight, so can you please wish her Happy Birthday!" At which point a man from behind the curtains carried out a flaming cake and just like that, the whole building filled with rapturous applause and everyone broke into Happy Birthday song! Finally after Abi blew out all her candles, Bat For Lashes ended the night with the actual final song
"Prescilla".
Bat For Lashes - I Saw A Light
Bat For Lashes Abi Fry Birthday