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With this Friday evening in the Twin Cities there was a good chance to
see the band 'Ouija Radio' in action at the Triple Rock as they held a
CD Release party with the bands 'The Melismatics' and 'Moon Mann'.
Where they would be playing songs from their second album that is
called 'Last Night on Earth' with their new bass player Matt Belz.
After an early all-ages show the band members were found
relaxing and enjoying a meal in the main bar. For those that may not
know the Triple Rock, there is the main bar on the corner and the music
room enterance next door. With an enterance hand stamp one can pass
through to the main bar and return via a door at the back of the music
room.
Ouija Radio took to stage all dressed in black for the most part
with Matt Belz wearing a C.B.G.B tee shirt beneath a black shirt
which later after the show a young man would fork out some
cash in a must have effort to get that tee shirt. Matt is the new
rather bouncy bass player that brings alot of experience to the band as
he has also played stand up bass in other projects. Both Matt and
Charles Gehr on drums have extensive musical training with a keen sense
of the rock - jazz - blues possibilties that can enhance the shape of a
song. This intense musical drive is also well apparent with Christy
Hunt and Sarah Huska. Christy Hunt is the only founding member in
the current line-up as song writer, guitar master and upfront vocals.
She presents a high spirited good time image central to the bands
persona as they strive to shape the performance impact and musical
structure that is 'Ouija Radio'. Sarah Huska stands bold with an
appealing darkside spirit on keyboards and supporting vocals.
They opened the set with the song 'Old Victrola' and
played through the song list on their new album. With this show one
found their songs flowing from power pop to a more so darker haunting
edge - psychedelic movements. With the songs 'Plain Gold Ring', 'Eye of
the Storm', 'Unidentity' and 'Other Side of the Sky' standing as
perhaps less apparent gems on the album. The more apparent songs
that stand out would include 'Old Victrola', 'Last Night on
Earth', 'Grace' and 'Whiskey Love'. As a side note, one will find the
impression of the lips of Sarah Huska on the shot glasses that they
have for sale along with tee shirts and the new CD. There are no
weak songs with their new album; a collection of songs that each speak
for themselves with several degrees of 'Ouija Radio' stamped into the
fabric of each song. One may try to compare them to a number of popular
bands, yet will find an originality and overall impression that makes
for a stand out band on the move to carve out a special place along the
spectrum of musical encounters.
With the end of the show, running short on time, a hasty party
time closer was in order as Christy and Sarah would flower the crowd
with sparkle dust and a bubble gun that delivered some harmless soap
bubbles. We will most likely see more of Christy and Sarah working the
crowd as the bands interactive chemistry is able to flow and present a
more so impact intensive stage performance. More fans are likely
to arise with the new album as they tour out. There's plenty of good
times on the horizon for all to seek out a 'Ouija Radio' encounter.
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