It is hard to avoid comparing pop artist Kate Nash to Lily Allen. They have similar singing styles that highlights their British accents, less than lady-like attitudes, funky clothing styles and commanding bangs, and it was Allen who helped bring Nash to international recognition when she cited Nash on her Myspace page. However, it is Nash's own take on adding elements of funk and wit to make songs about failed relationships not just fun and catchy, but also profound with their simple yet earnest lyrics, that is helping the up-and-coming singer/songwriter leave a mark of her own.
On April 23, Nash performed to a sold-out crowd at Webster Hall. The stage was donned with Nash's name in pink neon lights, creating a relaxed and simple yet funky ambiance. The show kicked off with the Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players, a family band that specializes in finding discarded photos at garage sales and then making abstract songs based on them. The strange yet very unique performance was a fun warm-up for Nash.
Dressed in a striped shirt and navy jumper, Nash took center stage behind her keyboard and kicked off the show with her single "Pumpkin Soup," about a girl not wanting a relationship but rather looking to hook-up. Nash showed her versatility as an artist by rotating between the keyboard and both the classical and electric guitars, playing all of them well. Nash focused mostly on songs from her CD Made of Bricks but sampled several new songs. The Brit wrapped up her set with her first single and biggest hit, "Foundations," before coming back out for a two-song encore.
What makes Nash's music so engaging is the playful and catchy tempo of the songs, but the lyrics are key. The witty songs purposely lack depth and focus on simple concepts and terms, as though reflecting Nash's stream of consciousness and instincts about situations.Most of her songs include play by plays of conversations and come from many different sources of inspiration. Her guitar song "Birds" is a conversation about how a lover, like a bird, can poop on your head and still be beautiful. In a new song, "Seagulls," Nash explained that her inspiration was annoying seagulls at the beach "because they always steal your chips!" Both songs were fan favorites.
2008 Woodie Awards
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