Live music review: Italy’s New Candys slayed Hotel Vegas with DAIISTAR
Last Monday, Austin music fans who were paying attention to Mas Music’s LEVITATION-style booking at Hotel Vegas were rewarded with standout sets from Italy’s New Candys, Austin act DAIISTAR and Daydream Twins, who opened the show.
The Venetians have been performing since 2008. Their experience showed as New Candys delivered a sizzling set of psych-rock music behind two formidable efforts by the support acts on the same stage. New Austin group, DAIISTAR whose debut record is being produced by The Black Angels’ Alex Maas put on another stellar set. The noise-pop act brings to mind 90s indie-goth acts like Siouxie and the Banshees or even Joy Division which evolved into New Order eventually.
It’s fairly easy to draw the line between DAIISTAR (pronounced DAY-Star) and The Black Angels as both acts employ vocal effects liberally. It makes sense the band wanted to work with Maas who famously rarely sings without heavy vocal effects as lead vocalist for TBA. Delay and reverb are as much a part of TBA’s sound as with DAIISTAR who simply do not play a bad set. The Cosmic Clash has seen the band perform several times now since being introduced to their music at Far Out Lounge over a year ago. We’re eagerly awaiting their debut record release.
In the meantime, check this DAIISTAR live session recorded in January of this year:
New Candys soon followed to a nearly full room on a Monday night if that says anything about the kind of draw these talented Italians earn. The evening already felt like an extension of LEVITATION Fest with TBA founding member, Christian Bland and his band mate, Jake Garcia spinning cool oldies out on the back porch. There were even folks dancing in front of the DJ booth between sets which usually doesn’t happen at too cool for school spots like Vegas. Let’s face it, it’s been hipster central in Austin for a while now. But with Monday weeding out casual fans, the vibe was old-school Austin, with music fans, musicians and industry workers all mixing together for a bit of early week fun.
The interesting aspect of New Candys we didn’t expect to learn is, the band never set out to make psych-rock records according to a previous interview they gave. The group says it’s an unintended result of making music that reflects where they are creatively rather than trying to emulate a certain style. That’s all to say this act puts forth a great live show, leaning on their years of experience and confidence in playing their own material. To date, New Candys have released four full-length records including this year’s Vyvyd.
This year’s release has generated a ton of positive press. The recording features newest members, Andrea Volpato (guitar, backing vocals) and Alessandro Boschiero (bass) for the first time according to bandleader, Fernando Nuto (lead vocals, guitar). Dario Lucchesi (drums, sampler) rounds out the foursome. We’re curious if American audiences are as receptive to the band’s material as critics are. Austin fans are tuned in to a degree.
New Candys play Denver and Albuquerque before heading to Las Vegas for Psycho Vegas before heading back on European tour. Check the band’s website to see future tour dates.
All photos by Michael Maly
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