SAN DIEGO, CA- In the realm of independent music, few artists stand out like AZRA. With an intrinsic ability to marry pop with a riveting blend of pop and rock, she’s crafted an unmistakable sonic identity. Delving deep into her personal narratives, AZRA’s tracks don’t just make you tap your foot—they reach into your soul, stirring emotions and encouraging empowerment.
The Blurred Culture showcase at Hollywood’s iconic Madame Siam was graced by her captivating act just as the world teetered on the pandemic’s brink. Fast forward to today, and it’s clear she’s an artist on an ascent. If you’ve missed out on the AZRA revolution post-2021, it’s time to dial into the zeitgeist.
Her most recent jaunt, a whirlwind tour of the West Coast, was a testament to her burgeoning artistry. It was all in promotion of her new EP, *The Chronicles of Substance Pop: The Rebellion*. This collection isn’t just another EP—it’s AZRA’s heart, distilled into music. It chronicles her artistic evolution, resonating with themes of self-acceptance and shedding of personal demons. In AZRA’s words, it’s about the “greatest rebellion”—living unapologetically and authentically.
For those who aren’t familiar with her music, AZRA coins her sound ‘Substance Pop’, a genre she situates in the ‘6th Dimension’, and which is fortified by the very pillars that guide her life. From “The 6th Dimension”, which paints the vibrant world AZRA envisions, to the potent self-affirmation of “ALL OUT”, each track is a window into her psyche. Songs like “i wish you would cry” and “Bring Me The Crown” blend introspection with brazen confidence, while “Soul Ties” seamlessly interlaces her Korean heritage, singing her immigrant tale in both Korean and English.
Before the indomitable AZRA took to the stage, the audience was treated to a searing opening act that left everyone asking: “Who are these guys?” Enter The Egos, a powerhouse quartet that unleashed a torrent of upbeat rock and roll upon the unsuspecting crowd.
Front and center was Sherif Serag, wielding his guitar with an unmistakable fervor and lending his voice as the band’s driving force. There’s something viscerally nostalgic yet fresh about Sherif’s tenor – a yearning quality that evokes memories of Claudio Sanchez from Coheed & Cambria, but with a twist that’s uniquely his own. It’s that kind of voice that seeps into your bones, demanding your undivided attention.
Guitarist Brent Bauer Butler and bassist Terrence Wilde Mahier wove a tapestry of sound, intertwining riffs and rhythms that showcased their virtuosic command over their instruments. Graylen Eastwood on drums wasn’t just a mere timekeeper but the pulsing heartbeat of the band, driving every track with a ferocious energy that’s all too rare in today’s rock scene.
Together, The Egos formed a tight-knit unit on stage. They played with the synchronicity of bands that have been on the circuit for decades, belying what seemed to be their relative newness to the scene. It’s a testament to their chemistry and commitment that they could deliver such a flawless set.
The only lament? The glaring absence of recorded tracks to dive into post-gig. It’s a tease to witness such raw talent and not be able to wrap yourself in it once the night’s over. Still, that very absence hints at the vast potential lying in wait. If this performance is any indication, when The Egos hit the studio, they’ll be dropping more than just tracks; they’ll be dropping jaws.
P.S.: If they had had merch for sale, I would have bought a t-shirt. Take my money.
The intimate setting of Hotel Cafe, a haven for indie musicians, was the chosen initial battleground for AZRA’s latest live offering. While her music has always been a beacon of positivity, this gig saw an evolution, an AZRA fortified with an edgier determination, a razor-sharp sound, and a tangible urgency that felt almost palpable.
This isn’t the AZRA you thought you knew… or at least the AZRA that I thought I knew. Drawing from her new EP, her tracks felt like anthems for a new age, interspersed with confessional moments where she peeled back the layers, revealing the core inspirations behind her songs. Her candidness was only amplified by the presence of her parents in the crowd – a personal touch that made the performance feel all the more intimate.
Yet, as captivating as AZRA was, her all-female backing band was impossible to overlook. The synergy between Cheska Zaide’s formidable bass lines, Jessica Goodwin’s relentless drumming, and Ania Thomas’s electrifying guitar riffs was nothing short of breathtaking. They weren’t just supporting AZRA – they were amplifying her, matching her fierceness beat for beat, riff for riff.
There’s a resonance in AZRA’s new music that hints at her personal and artistic evolution. With “The Chronicles of Substance Pop: The Rebellion” as a backdrop, each track performed was a diary entry, an invitation into AZRA’s world. From anthems that celebrated unapologetic self-expression to tracks that hinted at personal battles, there was a narrative arc that felt undeniably human.
Her Hotel Café gig wasn’t just another concert—it was an exuberant celebration of her EP, a veritable feast for fans hungry for the live renditions of AZRA’s latest tracks, all backed by a dynamite full band.
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CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE ACTS WE COVERED AT BLEACHED FEST
LIVE CLIPS
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE ACTS WE COVERED AT BLEACHED FEST
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