Up to Bat: Relishing Bat for Lashes’ U.S. Network TV Debut
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Love that darkling, glam vibe put forth by Bat for Lashes' leading light Natasha Khan - a techno-dappled chanteuse/poetess for the 21st century in the spirit of Tori Amos, Siouxsie Sioux, and Björk. It's all there in the second Bat for Lashes album Two Suns, which was unleashed (unLashed?) in Khan's native U.K. on April 6 of this year.
Two Suns may be a bit more on the folk-rock side than Khan's BFL debut Fur and Gold, but that doesn't make it any less seductive to yours truly. And her appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" last week - Bat for Lashes' first performance on American network television - should have garnered her a multitude of new fans. I, for one, savored it.
Sporting an eye-catching ruffled collar and what looked like a faux-fur vest, the Brighton, England native commanded the stage of the Ed Sullivan Theater as she sang "Daniel," a Two Suns track that has a chimerical, melancholy sound reminiscent of The Cure's "A Forest." Her stripped-down band (drummer, keyboardist, and guitarist) lent compatible support.
To hear the studio version of "Daniel," activate the MOG Player above. To see the number as rendered on "The Late Show" (and be regaled by a brief anecdote from Letterman about his abortive trip to Brighton), watch the clip below.
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Comments (25)
Like the song & performance. She was quite animated. The album is definitely different than the debut but still no less compelling.
I'm loving her right now. I've only listened to the new album once, but I plan on putting it on regular rotation.
August: She's definitely an arresting presence.
g.p.: Roll that baby out!
She's normally sat behind keyboards....Foxy!
Neill: To the max, man!
Wow -- I love the song but never have seen her perform with the band. Letterman is cool for having her on -- and good lead-in story about Dave never getting to Brighton. It happens to all or us. Thanks.
funoka: You're welcome. I never made it to Brighton either, but it was more of time thing than a drinky thing.
This band is new to me (forgive my ignorance) but, at first blush, she looks like Bjork but sounds a lot more like Annie Lennox, without the edginess Annie can sometimes put in for emphasis.
That's not a bad thing at all!
Funny how, at the end, Dave forgot what a vinyl album was, huh?
Fasted: The album thing is an ongoing joke with Letterman. He holds up vinyl albums and says that they're examples of the new "giant CD" format and that they have to be handled with oven mitts because they come out of the player "white-hot."
My bad.
Haven't seen him in a while- so you can see what happens.
If I am up really late, though, I love catching Craig Ferguson's opening monologue. I think he can be really funny. Maybe it's his eyebrows.
Hah! It's all in the brows - just like Groucho. C-Ferg does rock the studio though - wise, quick-witted, a great tale-spinner and a knowledgeable, but effortlessly conversational interviewer. I watch him and Dave on a regular basis. The platinum standard in late-nite.
She did this on Jools Holland a couple of weeks ago and had me going for the album the next day. You nailed it with that allusion to 'Forest' era Cure. Really interesting drunner as well, what with the tympani and offbeats. The album was recorded at the QOSA studio in Joshua Tree...What with the US production connection on Lily Allen's new one, I'm sensing a fecund cross-pollination among the current group of new-ish artists.
Jonh: Going by Natasha's new album and Lily's terrifico tracks with The Bird and The Bee's Greg Kurstin, all smart, attractive, talented, female British singer-songwriters should record Stateside. Send over a few French gals, too.
You trying to update 'Mars Needs Women'?
We've begun principle photography on "Mike Needs Women," but a few roles still need to be cast. Send all resumes to me via MOG Mail.
Pump up the what??? Above the waist, Mike, above the waist.
Waist not, want not!
Hmm, are you saying by waisting not: food for the head, food for the loins? Subtle.
I'm not sure what I'm saying anymore. I give up.
Call me traditional, but shouldn't timpanis be played with a soft mallet? That drummer's rebelous ways have me all hot n' bothered.
Great tune! Here's my progression:
First 30 seconds: meh
31 seconds onward: holy bat guano batman, this chick is awesome!
p-wagz: You gotta give her little simmering time, and then, the dish is hot!
How good they are in that video proves how mean they really are.
(for coming to Leeds when I was in Greece)
Mean? Oooh! It's all about Anna. You, you, you. What about the rest of us BFL fans? Why isn't Natasha playing a gig in my living room?
If we unite our egos and bat our lashes, miracles will happen...
What? Are you batty? Well, okay!