It's pretty rare in music to hear or see something you've never seen before. Think about it - when was the last time you saw something completely new or different. Better yet, when was the last time you saw something completely new or different that was also really good? For me, it was Wednesday night at the Paradise in Boston. I went to the show to cover Noah and the Whale for Melophobe, a cool Boston-centric blog that focuses on concert reviews and photos. It was a great show, and the headliner definintely didn't disappoint.
But the true rub happened two full hours before Noah and the Whale set foot on the stage. To a small crowd of probably 50-70 people, Anni Rossi took the stage and awkwardly yet charmingly shredded the viola like I have never seen anyone do.
In appearance, Rossi is refreshingly normal - not too hipster, hippie, hip-hop. She looks like a really talented woman who wants her music to speak for itself. Which it does. Using a combination of pizzicato, bowing, percussion against the viola itself, foot stomps, and col legno (playing with the wood of the bow) she makes beautiful music while rooted to a single spot on stage. Oh, and did I mention she also has an amazing voice? Like a really really good one?
I'm tempted to compare her live performance to Regina Spektor, but that's not entirely fair. Although their voices have similar timbres and they both masterfully manage multiple rhythms, the comparisons end there. Regina is spunkier and quirkier, while Rossi is a more muted performer. Regardless, being compared to Regina Spektor is no small praise.
Anni is signed on 4AD (TV on the Radio, Bon Iver, Beirut) and is definitely a name you'll hear more from in the future. Be the first on your block to check her out.
Many thanks to Jane Qin for the wonderful photo!
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