Culture

Girls Are Waiting To Meet You with their distinct eclectic sound

By Jude Alefounder (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-11 09:23

Lead vocalist Aaron Rosa and guitarist David Muskett knock out a number in charismatic style. [Photo taken by Serafino Sigler provided to China Daily]

Is it reggae? Is it gypsy-jazz? With a violin and clarinet, this Beijing band proves that variety is the spice of life

Named after a typical Russian bride e-mail scam, Girls Are Waiting To Meet You (GAWTMY) are anything but a typical Beijing-based band. With fluid line-up changes since their formation in 2008 and a range of eclectic instruments used, GAWTMY are more of a collective than a traditional band.

Currently consisting of guitarist David Muskett, lead vocalist Aaron Rosa, violinist Kirsten Melby-Thompson, clarinettist Jeanette Shepherd, bassist Wang Xiaobing and drummer Donna Renae, they hail from places as far afield as Hawaii, Australia, UK and China.

GAWTMY was originally founded by Donna Renae and singer-songwriter Natan Doron. It was Doron's songs that initially fuelled the band and many of them are still used despite him moving on. Now, with the creative influences of Aaron and David, the band is changing and evolving naturally.

What makes this band so different, Donna said, is that their "sound is all over the place; pop rock, gypsy-jazz, country and even a little reggae here and there." With such an open approach to music and the inclusion of atypical instruments like violin and clarinet, the band can create a bigger and more textured sound than many of their Beijing peers.

That doesn't mean things are easy for them though, as having so many influences and sounds makes it difficult to consistently deliver their music in the way that they want to. This has far less to do with their chemistry and playing ability than it has to do with the difficulties of getting the levels right on so many different instruments in Beijing's myriad variety of venues.

These problems arose again at a recent performance at VA Bar, with the initial amp system blowing up, meaning they had to sound check as they went along. This didn't deter them though and after one or two minor glitches, their natural feel for the music and their collective passion brought the songs together.

(Top): Drummer Donna Renae gets to grips with a mixture of beats. (Left): Kirsten Melby-Thompson fiddles with her violin. (Right): Jeanette Shepherd adds an unique sound with her clarinet. [Photos by Serafino Sigler provided to China Daily]

Although flitting between genres with each song, their sound continues to have an ethereal quality and an element of fun about it, making you want to contemplate the world and dance at the same time. They may still be developing their sound and honing their skills, but the potential to become China's mellower answer to the likes of Gogol Bordello is there for all to see.

The standout in the band though is Kirsten-Melby-Thompson's violin. She may cut a somewhat frustrated figure at times when her violin can't be heard over the more strident sounds of the guitar and drums, but it is the melodies she plays that add an extra dimension to their sound.

As with all Beijing bands though, the future is something that is hard to predict. They have a decent following already, but with none of them able to quit their day jobs as of yet, it may be a while before they are able to realize their full potential.

Realizing this, they are taking the next step forward with the release of their EP in the fall. "Our EP is being produced by Martin Rawlins, who has recently worked with Queen Sea Big Shark. We are putting a lot into it but are planning to give it away for free through our MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/girlsarewaitingtomeetyou in the fall," said guitarist David Muskett.

Whilst there are certainly more commercial bands and more successful groups in Beijing, GAWTMY capture a free creative spirit that is not seen as often as it should be in the Beijing music scene. While it is inevitable that their line-up will continue to evolve and that there will be plenty of hurdles along the way, they are prepared to take it as it comes. As drummer Donna Renae said about why they can make it; "We smile. A lot. And we color-coordinate for gigs."

GAWTMY will complete their EP and then begin touring again in September. Check their myspace page for details.