Calva Louise – in concert/session for this Friday afternoon, from a few venues, recorded over a period of 2018 to 2025. From the Trees Festival in July 2020. And then over to Red Lion in London for a session in 2022 and finally a session from Pirate Studios on September 23, 2018.
Calva Louise is truly an international endeavor – guitarist and singer (as well as lyricist) Jessica Alanic from Venezuela – drummer Ben Parker from New Zealand and bassist Alizon Taho from France. They have relocated to London and have been gigging and getting their name out since 2016.
Variously described as Sunshine Death Metal – Folk Metal – New Metal and even Pop, they have managed to defy descriptions and steer clear of pigeon holes. Alanic sometimes sings in English, but mostly a hybrid of Spanish and English.
All agree, Calva Louise is a band that needs repeated listens and their live performances are mind-blowing. Jessica Alanic hovers between sweetly innocent to Scream Frying. It makes for absolutely no dull moments.
Calva Louise’s music reflects the members’ diverse cultural backgrounds Allanic’s influences include Latin American folk music, metal, and hip-hop, while Taho and Parker contribute elements from European rock music and alternative ro She cites among her influences James O’Barr, Frank Miller, and Sean Murphy who frequently write and illustrate their own stories, as well as writing by Joe Hill and Jason Aaron and art by Rafael Albuquerque and R.M Guera.
The band frequently alternates between English and Spanish, and their work often explores ideas of identity, duality, and alternate realities. Musical inspirations cited by the group include System of a Down, Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, Calle 13, Molotov, El Cuarteto de Nos, and Simón Díaz.
So if you aren’t familiar (which I admit I wasn’t until a few weeks ago), head over to their website -load up on releases and swag – support them in any way you can and turn people on to them. In lieu of hoping someday you’ll hear them on the radio or watch one of their videos through mainstream media (which in all likelihood will never happen), catch them here for a sample.
Dive in and crank it up.
