The Moroccan Lounge Los Angeles, CA
Web: katieferrara.com
Contact: [email protected]
Players: Katie Ferrara, vocals, guitar; Fernando Perdomo, guitar; John Urban, bass; Michael Collins, drums
Material: With muted drumming and beautiful, balanced sound, Katie Ferrara kicked off her show sharing whisper-toned melismatic stylings and haunting country vocals, opening with “The Best Is Yet to Come.” Shifting gears to a deliciously dark and sexy intro vibe on “Ride,” the song unfolded with elastic guitar licks and a wailing solo, adding a sassy, gravel-feeling pre-chorus and soulful vocal delivery. Sharing a collection of singles from 2021 through to her latest release, “Lost In The Wires” (a narrative on the new age of tech addiction), Ferrara has a unique honesty about her writing that connects to her powerful delivery for an unforgettable experience.
Musicianship: With a gentle, unassuming stage presence, Ferrara’s crowd remained under her spell for the entirety of the show. The guitarist, drummer, and acoustic bassist playing were divine—presenting the perfect backdrop to Ferrara’s artistry—and the rare balance of musical chemistry between her and the musicians on stage created gorgeous moments of connection between the group and their standing crowd. Ferrara’s vocal flavorings are akin to a combination of Alison Krauss, Melissa Etheridge, and Jewel, with a stunning ability to captivate her listeners.
Performance: “Please Come Back To Me”—her self-described ‘patriotic protest song’ about the lack of truth in education and freedom of information in America—included a sing-along outro on the chorus refrain (as well as backing vocals from guitarist Fernando Perdomo and bassist John Urban). ”On Her Path”—a song about women around the world who travel miles daily for water for their families—brought more audience participation on the scat melody section and included beautiful guitar licks on the bridge. The fun continued with wolf howls from the room on “Wolf Cry,” which included fantastic syncopated drum lines and a haunting cliffhanger outro.
Summary: Closing out with “Help Me Up,” with its funky, uplifting vibe, solid rhythm guitar, and great breakdown, Ferrara and her band presented fabulous unassuming (but powerful) guitar licks, incredible drum control, and the perfect upright bass element. Equal parts feisty and natural, Katie Ferrara is the real deal, providing stunning vocal artistry covering country, rock, and R&B sprinklings, with a poetic lyricism that speaks conversationally to her audience. A unique and tasty sound experience. – Andrea Beenham
