Lovie January 4, 2008 Club Dada
Better than: being inundated with Britney’s latest publicity stunt.
Lovie is proving that, as a live act, the members are rocking it. A semi-packed house at Club Dada with people specifically there for Lovie also bodes well for the group, as Lovie builds a following with each gig.
And Lovie is the only band in town to kick your ass without you even knowing while blowing a kiss your way at the same time. With a solidified stage presence, the members' cohesiveness is now like a chick onslaught of rock that charms the ear and bops the head with just heavy enough guitars and Rebecca Dixon’s crème brule-like voice –- crisp on the outside delivery with kid-sister sweet undertones. And the audience was eating it up.
Even big gruff Beard, the doorman, was enthusiastic about the band giving all who entered the lowdown on the foursome. In a short time, Lovie has matured its stage presence making leaps from its last gig at the Collision art party.
Overall, Lovie's delivery is consistent with other songs, but "Mindreader" has become the ladies' killer number. Lovie has an infectious joy for its music that spreads out over the crowd, sort of like when The Jacksons sprinkle glitter dust all over the world in their "Can You Feel It" video. Random comparison much? They rely on good songwriting and impassioned instrument playing, creating songs that aren’t necessarily complex but also void of tricks used to veil any shortcomings. At first, I wasn’t crazy about their ballads, but the innocence Dixon brought in her voice to "Release Me" encapsulated the audience like a cloud and filled the club with ethereal aural satisfaction. Lovie basically killed.
It might be fair to say Lovie arrived last night at Club Dada. And the audience was ready for them. -- Rich Lopez
Critic's Notebook Personal Bias: Drummer Grace Davenport (I call her Gracie, but I’m not sure why) and I had a journalism class together at Richland College. Although, for some reason, I think I’ve mentioned that before.
Random Detail: They opened for touring act Chloe Day, which was interesting to say the least. Day’s weird techno-folk sort of cleared the room, and Beard was none too happy. But the remainder of the audience, which was pretty much on the other side of the bar, gave a rousing applause in appreciation after Day’s last number.
By the Way: Lovie is the new Artist in Residence over at White Rock Coffee for the month of January.
