Low-fi Duo-wop group from Auckland Na Noise have just released their debut album Waiting For You, giving us an insight into their sonic, original approach to music. Described as the "Thelma and Louise of modern DIY guitar based music", they have created a sound which is a unique blend of organ, percussion, call and response vocals and a whole lot of fuzzy dark carnivalesque attitude.
Written and recorded over the space of nearly two years, Yolanda Fagan and Hariet Ellis both of (Bozo, Vincent H.L, The Echo Ohs and Three Crockettes) have been joined by Christopher Varnham providing organ and percussion, adding another coat to the murky grungy sound.
This album is an eleven track retro listening experience of warm distorted fuzz, combined with a post punk element. The "new-old sound" lending a freshness laced with familiarity.
It's an interesting debut. Original and polarizing, certainly not dinner by candlelight. Provocative, raunchy and slightly coarse. I loved it.
Among the bands influences are The Velvet Underground and Patsy Cline. I heard elements of both throughout, By the time I got to track four Dance With Me, I could have sworn I also heard a touch of Marianne Faithfull in the vocalization.
Waiting For You is the opening and title track of this album. As I write, a stalker/slasher styled music video has gone to air accompanying the song. It suited the lyrics and tone of the track, with a retro treatment giving it an old school vibe. Directed by Ezra Simons and artistic director Gussie Larkin.
This was the kind of album which steadily grew on me. The more I listened the more I liked it. It has grit, substance and a dirty distorted sound.
The album Waiting For You is definitely something worth sinking your teeth into.