CLICK HERE FOR MORE SXSW 2018 COVERAGE!
AUSTIN, TX- For most of our SXSW artist coverage, we’ll keep it relatively short and sweet. We have over 80 artists to cover, so cut us some slack! 😉 We’ll basically be formatting each post into two parts: (1) Why our contributor wanted to see this act and (2) what our contributor thought of the performance”. Easy peasy. If you want to learn more about the act, make sure you click through to their social media links to get in the know. You won’t be disappointed!
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Why I Wanted To See Fatai: Prior to SXSW, I spent a lot of time listening to a lot of music.… a LOT of music. I opened up my Spotify account and went through every SXSW “official” act and highlighted those acts that caught my fancy and I was interested in seeing live. As I was doing some work and listening to the playlist, Fatai’s “Hide and Seek (Blue)” started to play. I immediately stopped what I was doing to look this singer up. Her voice was so rich and soulful, I was instantly hooked.
What I Thought Of Fatai’s Performance: Fatai is a Melbourne, Australia based singer songwriter of Tongan Decent who was part of all Australia line-up for a midday showcase at Lustre Prearl. Her popularity in her home country is significant as she garnered significant exposure being a semi-finalist on Australia’s iteration of The Voice. Once signed to a major label, she is now striking out on her own and independently released her live debut EP, “Undone” in 2015.
Using only an acoustic guitar and her mellifluous voice, like the moment I first her music playing on Spotify, I was once again instantly enamored by her amazing voice. Her timbre and control at this performance was particularly marvelous. Her performance was highlighted by two covers one of which was her rendition of Sia’s “Chandelier”. But, I was particularly impressed when she covered the popular Disney song “Do You Want To Build A Snowman” from the motion picture “Frozen”. Now, it’s my opinion that restyling a composition from one genre to another is always a risky thing to do. Country songs can be sung R&B, dance number can be turned into ballads, but flipping a musical theatre song into an R&B song? I had my initial doubts before she started in to it, but Fatai completely owned it, giving the song a new kind of life with her jazz infused runs and R&B stylings.
I think Fatai’s vocal prowess and abilities are limitless, and I think with the right songs in her arsenal, she’s well equipped to capture a loyal following in the U.S.
Follow Fatai on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SXSW 2018 COVERAGE!
LIVE CLIPS
Fatai at the Container Bar for SXSW 3/13/18. Thoughts and photos coming to @BlurredCulture. pic.twitter.com/vl9eI1cuQ1
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) April 20, 2018
Fatai at the Container Bar for SXSW 3/13/18. Thoughts and photos coming to @BlurredCulture. pic.twitter.com/5Mr8O60ys2
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) April 20, 2018
Fatai at the Container Bar for SXSW 3/13/18. Thoughts and photos coming to @BlurredCulture. pic.twitter.com/NH9Xb4P3qL
— Derrick K. Lee (@methodman13) April 20, 2018
