If you saw So You Think You Can Dance last night, you saw Jakob Karr and Ellenore Scott give everyone goosebumps with the modern choreography of Sonya Tayeh. The performance received a standing ovation from the audience as well as from all three judges making them freak out quite a bit (there was a lot of screaming). Nigel called the performance "fabulous" and his "favorite routine of the season." See the video below.
But I'm not going to talk about the dancing; I'm a music writer! I will say, however, that it was definitely moving performance, especially when Jakob and Ellenore walked forehead-to-forehead across the stage at the beginning. The habanera rhythm used in the song - like the aria with the same title from the 19th century opera Carmen by Georges Bizet - really lends itself to modern dance. I love it when traditional pieces of musical composition fit right into modern pop culture. Ellenore and Jakob used the Cuban rhythm to undulate across the floor. The pauses in the song also add to the drama of the performance, which Sonya Tayeh's choreography brilliantly mirrored.
Even if you didn't see the show last night, I wanted to tell you about the music that accompanied that fantastic performance: it's by the Bay Area's (actually from Oakland if we're splitting hairs). Commenters have called "Tore My Heart" "haunting" and are clamoring for the song.
Well, now you can DOWNLOAD IT ON ITUNES.
See the performance below - let me know if the link isn't working.
OONA is the magical pairing of singer/keyboardist/lyricist Oona Garthwaite and drummer/song-writer/jack-of-all-trades Dave Tweedie. Their music is what I call electro-soul-pop, yes, I just made up a genre. But think of it: soulful vocals with a pop mentality that makes you want to shake your booty. Oh, just listen to some of their music!
In conjunction with the show, OONA will release “Tore My Heart” for download on iTunes. This marks the first time the song will be available to the public in its entirety. OONA will release “Tore My Heart” and five additional songs in a debut EP, “Shhhhout!” coming out in early January 2010. Stay tuned.
"Tore My Heart" also appeared toward the beginning of last season where OONA picked up a bunch of new fans. Watch Kelsea Taylor's "zaney" choreography here. What strikes me about this performance is that the judges comment on Taylor's musicality and how she uses her choreography to reflect the music. This is not only praise to the dancer, but to the music and the folks who made it as well.
OONA's tune "Haunting Me" also appeared on SYTYCD during Season 4, danced to by popper and locker Stephen 'Twitch' Boss.
Oona Garthwaite volunteers time teaching vocals at Bay Area Girls Rock Camp and Ladies Rock Camp.
And oh, OONA will be playing at the Bottom of the Hill on January 23rd. Go and give 'em some love.
For more info:
OONA's new fabulous website - listen to "Tore My Heart"
OONA on myspace (my favorite song is called "Trouble")
Comments
Thank you! Oona's music is so refreshing in a world where mundane music dominates--I'm holding my breath, waiting for the new cd to come out in January.
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