The Wake

A cool fog spread across downtown as I walked along Washington Ave. in hopes of catching a quick 16. It was a fog you could feel, but it wasn’t accompanied by the unpleasantness of rain. It sequenced beautifully with the vivid, calming sounds of my iPod. Our skyline shrouded in this mysterious mist created a softening appearance of the usually definite bright city lights against the pitch black November night. As I stepped off the bus and into the city, I was accompanied by a sultry yet soothing female voice in my ear. The walking bass lines and vast array of vague cultural instruments meshing behind her made me feel as though I was a detective walking the streets with ease, playing coy in the midst of great danger. I was about to experience the Brazilian Girls in concert, and I would leave a changed man.

My pals and I took in the whole scene as we waited for the band to take the stage. A DJ played catchy pop and hip hop songs from all reaches of the globe. The café filled with eager chatter as crowd size reached capacity. A blue glow was emitted from lights lining the walls of the upper eating area. Couples of all races, lifestyles, and sexual orientations sauntered in, all equally excited. A middle-aged woman dressed in all black danced alone near the stage in an attempt either to seduce DJ Paul Harvey or to evoke old memories of when the boys used to go crazy for her Latin-flavored dances of love. The biggest surprise of the evening though was a father-esque figure in the middle of the dance floor, old-man New Balances laced firmly to his feet, cell phone clipped securely to his belt.

Smoke machines from up above welcomed the band to the stage. The fellas took their positions and laid down a swirling, yet loungy groove. Lead singer, and professional temptress, Sabina Sciubba, walked slowly to the front of the stage. She grabbed the hand of a few front rowers, spun them slowly, then let out a quiet moan. This moan grew louder and would evolve into the opening vocals of “Lazy Lover,” (from their self-titled 2005 release). Their newest, “Talk to La Bomb,” came out in September, and has revitalized the buzz its predecessor created. The third song of the night, “Dance Till The Morning Sun,” put the sweet beats of skins’ man, Aaron Johnston, on full display. He did an amazing job of fusing his live trap set, which was loaded with goodies, into all the samples that keyboardist and computer operator Didi Gutman threw his way. Didi was no Ray Manzerek (of The Doors) on the keys’, a couple of his solo’s falling easily into the category of “god awful.” Luckily, they were scarce in number and short in length, and always saved by Johnston’s breakneck dance beats, and by Sciubba, who pranced and swayed seductively without ever coming close to losing her effortless cool.

The greatest beauty lay within the playful attitude the group showed the audience. “You want more?” Sciubba tempted, “There’s always room for more.” She often allowed audience members to take over on vocals and was frequently reaching out to hold the hands of certain audience members, myself being one of the lucky few (blush). She sang in five different languages throughout the set, and never once let the audience see her eyes. Even when she ditched her odd fitting Euro sweater for more revealing attire, her hair remained in place, and her eyes out of sight. It was an intriguing effect to maintain this secrecy and made each of her movements all the more captivating. During “Me Gustas Cuando Callas,” (which I translated for fellow audience members with my sweet Spanish 1022 skills) she turned the mic towards the audience, shouted “Vamos,” and led us all in series of handclaps and a ringing chorus or bone chilling “OOOhh’s.” During one particular party time breakdown, two ladies were invited on stage to remove Johnston’s t-shirt while Sciubba was busy smoking a joint that a fellow had passed up to her. What a dame.

The band played tirelessly for well over two hours, never once faltering in their energy. It was quite a spectacle and an all around good time. I shall invite all of you to check out their music and be sure not to miss your next opportunity to see them. The Brazilian Girls won my adoration and stole my heart, it was an evening I’ll never forget.