Songbird Festival Opening #2: Reza Dinally / Leslie Clio - melancholia vs. catchy pop

The second evening of the Songbird Festival had again on stage two artists that couldn't have been more different from each other musically speaking: Reza Dinally and Leslie Clio. At the legendary Montana Hotel, that celebrates itself as "Aprés Snow Culture" venue, I was happy to find an intimate concert hall, way smaller than the previous one, including some vintage stucco on the Roof: how charming is that?

Montanasaal

The venue was perfect to host indie-rocker Reza Dinally & Band, that released his first album one month ago, additionally by getting some help via crowdfunding. Because, sad reality, "Music Lovers aren't enough anymore to put a whole work together".  Six years after releasing his first EP, "Depths of Montmartre" was born. The record could Sound brand new to some Reza Dinally fans: they may were some people expecting an acoustic album, but this one gets actually a bit heavier and louder than his previous EP. It's some genuine rock that brings us on a journey... and it gets sweeter when you listen to it once again. And again and again. So the wait was totally worth it.

The live performance was the confirmation that this timeless work has potential to be defined one of the best Swiss records of 2014. And there is no surprise that their album release at Bogen F in Zurich was a complete sold out. Reza Dinally took myself in a complete new dimension, the audience around me disappeared and there was just an inevitable floating along the band's sound. Reza's warm voice, combined with the gloomy melodies, are a true delight. It became one of these records that I use to play in the evenings; it fits to the winter's darkness and it lightens the cold season up. Surely one of my personal discoveries of this musical year.

Have a listen to Reza Dinally's work here:

The second and main act of this cold Saturday night in Davos was the German Pop Sensation Leslie Clio. I was still in an in between state when her Show began, and well, it felt a bit like a bad awakening. Leslie Clio was acclaimed as THE act of this year's festival: I might chose the wrong night, or I might wasn't ready for this, but I was more convinced about the last three artists than the actual one I had in front of me. Maybe it was my own shock's fault as well, after switching so fast from the warmth of indie-rock to modern soul-pop. Leslie's song are catchy and well played live, especially if you think that her whole band was rearranged and was on stage for the very second time.

Her self irony was a big plus in the beginning, it broke the ice fast, but it started to get eventually out of the place when time passed and when it came to perform some serious songs. Her dancing through the crowd was well accepted, but after the fifth time the surprise effect was gone. However, the audience seemed to enjoy her hits "Told you So" and "I couldn't care less" live, also played up and down in our Radios. These were also the moments where her goofing around and smashing heels on the drums made me laugh with everybody else. She is for sure a particular personality, unpredictable like Lily Allen, with a smooth, sweet voice, that only needs to dose her acting on stage, depending on what she's about to perform. Besides the nervous live show, "Gladys", her actual Album, released in 2013, is very enjoyable and its melodies will remain stuck in your mind instantly.

The proof here: listen to the successful single "I couldn't care less"

Even if there's a wee bit of disappointment about the last act (tastes are different, fortunately, right?), the show was a success and the athmosphere during the festival is awesome. The opening weekend couldn't have a better start. The Songbird Festival Davos, with ist diversity, suggestive venues and carefully Chosen line up, is definetly a place to be every year in December. It shows clearly, that Switzerland has loads of healthy and insanely talented musicians... And I can't obviously wait to hit the mountains again in 2015.

The Songbird Festival Davos runs until December 20th, 2014 with the following acts:

Tobias Carshey / Ella Ronen & Mark Kelly / Me, Valentin and you (solo)

Kirchner Museum, December 10th, 2014

Reto Burrell / Famous October (Sarah Bowmann & Coal)

Escher Raumdesign, December 11th, 2014

Kutti MC / Luca Little

Hotel Schatzalp, December 12th, 2014

Jaël Malli / The Smile Effect

Hotel Schatzalp, December 13th, 2014

Gustav / Liselottes

Hotel Seehof, December 17th, 2014

November and Me / Bob Spring

KaffeeKlatsch, December 18th 2014

Lea Lu / Tobey Lucas

Waldhotel, December 18th, 2014

Ritschi / Skor

Montanasaal, December 19th, 2014

Caraway / James Gruntz (SOLD OUT)

KaffeKlatsch, December 19th, 2014

Pegasus / Baba Shrimps

Zimmerei Künzli, December 20th, 2014

Grab your ticket here

A big Thank You to Michel Pernet & his Blofeld Team for having me

Songbird Festival Opening #1: The Drops / Willam White - young freshness vs. positive vibes

The 7th Edition of the Songbird Festival taking place in the Swiss mountains of Davos couldn't have a better start by having on stage two acts totally different from each other: the young pop/rock quartet of Basel based band The Drops and our national Reggae Sweetheart William White.

The Festival starts punctual every year in the beginning of December, with the winter sport season, when all the snow lovers find their up to our mountains. I have to admit, I've never learned any sort of Skiing or Snowboarding (this might be the result of living in south Italy most of my teenage years), but it isn't something that would stop myself to hit the mountains during winter. There is a lot going on during the season here, especially when the festival is running, so don't be afraid of the cold! Besides the big names of the Swiss music scene, you'll find uprising gems, most acoustic acts, playing unplugged sets in several bars in town.

Songbird Festival Official

The opening night was held in one of the most exclusive Hotels of Davos, the Intercontinental, well known for its golden egg-shaped design, and a huge, modern cottage interior. The official announced concerts take place mostly in Hotels, legendary cafés or even in museums sometimes. The Drops' and Willam White gig was a successful sold out at the Intercontinental Ballroom, and,  I was quite surprised to find a seated location, especially for a rock and reggae concert. I made the experience in the past already, that people tend to be stuck into their chairs the whole time, even if they feel to dance along the songs during the show. Seats may are a good idea for a chilled out acoustic or classic concert, but a little less if there are some guitar riffs involved. Fortunately, the whole shy athmosphere of the beginning turned into a big party later on; it was great to see people putting all the chairs aside and transform the ballroom into a big dancefloor.

The Drops opened the first official festival night:  they're fresh wind for our national music scene: young,  passionate and powerful. Their songs are catchy, sometimes they remind of a fresher Coldplay version, on the other hand when the guitar riffs get louder they really take me back to Mando Diao's golden era ("Happy Clapper" has exactly that light touch). One of the prooves might be their Youtube Hit "Eleanor", official Music Video for the first Single of the Album "Flying Dutchmen", released two years ago.  This track was also winner of the SRF3 Talent Award back then, and very well deserved. I already had the pleasure to see these guys live as the opening act for the band My Heart Belongs to Cecilia Winter four years ago in Zurich, and somehow I knew that they're gonna take it very far. They have some genuine fun on stage, and a big plus is also their interaction with the audience after the show: always there for a chat or some photos, The Drops are very open minded and down to earth. The Drops threw a good warm up for the main act, an amazing job actually, I wished they could play a little longer... Their new record is planned for next autumn, and I'm quite sure that there are some amazing stuff coming up with their new project. So stay tuned!

Have a listen to "Eleanor" here:

The headliner of last night's festival opening was Swiss Reggae superstar William White, and I was overwhelmed of this man's passion and power! I am pretty ashamed to admit that this has been an absolute premiere for me: I never attended a reggae concert before. But there's always a first time for everything, right? And it couldn't be better! William White started his musical career 15 years ago, is already a big Name in the music Scene here in Switzerland, and is starting to get recongnition for his work also internationally. The Independent Artist was the man who transformed the room into a well thrown party. Switching from reggae, to blues and also to some salsa tunes, making us laugh between the tracks with his jokes, it was pretty clear that sitting there wasn't an option for Long. Wrapped from the very first note, I had the feeling of being part of a private jam session, when in some moments the Barbados born artist turned around to his band while playing and spreading positivity through the room. The whole seven piece band was involved and part of it, which is a thing I love the most during a live gig. The extended show included some famous tracks like "For Your Love" or "Open Country", also the title of his actual work, but there weren't covers missing as well, like Bob Marley's "Caution". At some point, the crowd showed some initiative by throwing the chairs where they're surely not needed, so that every space in front of the stage was free for dancing.

I rarely left a Show wrapped in positivity like it happened last night. I might should listen more Reggae... William White is already saved in my playlist for sure, so I would say it's a pretty good start. I couldn't walk out of Intercontinental happier and thrilled to attend opening night #2 at the Hotel Montana on Saturday.

"Open Country" was recorded in Portland, Jamaica, and includes collaborations with Ziggy Marley's guitarist Ian Coleman or bassist of Burning Spear Devon Bradshaw. The Album was also recently released in the UK in digital form.
William White will be on tour again next year solo and with band. Find your Dates here.

With The Drops :)

A Special Thank You to Michel Pernet & his Blofeld Team for having me