The last year has been a tremulous exploration of sound and growth for Seattle’s City Faire. While gaining a reputation for energetic and passionate live performances they released their self titled debut album which delivered a fusion of classic rock, blues and jazz. Things changed a few months later when singer Rachel Gavaletz and bassist Dylan Hughes left the band. It was going to be a daunting task replacing Gavaletz as she held the voice of City Faire but the band wasn’t planning on calling it quits anytime soon.
Enter Ayesha Brooks. Brooks became the new singer of City Faire and things clicked almost immediately. With Brooks in the lineup the band changed their sound by amplifying deep blues and old soul. Brooks is someone who has so much style with everything she does including belting out musical exuberance.
Here is a video of Brooks covering Allen Stone and you can see the soul she speaks through:
City Faire is a band you want to see live. Their sound bellows and breaks pure musical excitement. They have something for everyone; electrifying guitar solos, unbelievable soulful vocals, swirling jam-like qualities and a pop sensibility. Their new set with Ayesha Brooks means they will play new material and will have a reignited energy level. City Faire is like a new love, sparkling during the summer.
They are playing at The Nectar Lounge in Fremont on Friday. It should be a great time and a recommended show to attend.
Seattle’s City Faire is a five piece band made up of a combination of different sounds and styles. At their core their songs are structured with a pop/rock style but really their sound is infused with every other genre. Their guitars whine and racket like classic rock n’ roll. The drums are smooth and upbeat. The bass gets down heavy and funky and trumpets and saxophones are used to bring in the jazz. This band is a mixed bag and they’re more than willing to use what they have.
City Faire’s songs are lead by vocalist Rachel Gavaletz who confidently bellows soulful vengeance through her voice. She is the strong female lead that funk influenced men dream of. She sings like a woman with newfound freedom, a woman who can do whatever she wants, who walks down the street with a waltz because the world is at her fingertips.
City Faire’s debut album showcases a breakthrough of self-reliance. They are triumphantly saying goodbye to old habits and making a break for new beginnings. The album opens with thundering horns “No You Won’t”, igniting a fire, immediately voicing that life is going to get better. It is real passion, real victory. The song “Laugh Through Hell” is a fast rock number that can be used as fuel for someone to get through the hard times with their head up. “Gone” is a slow ballad built up with funky beats and clapping to make an almost chanting beat. “American Body” is the catchiest song on the album with a rhythm that begs to be danced to.
City Faire is from Seattle and proud of it. This is a strong debut album that shows great passion and incredible potential. I wonder what their live show is like. Are they going to have all the horns presented on the album? Are people going to get down and dance? Are the musicians going to have a chance to let loose and show their force? Whatever it is like I’m sure it will be a lot of fun.
They are headlining The Crocodile on Friday October 14th which you can buy tickets for here (http://thecrocodile.com/index.html?page=calendar&event=9654161 ) or you can find more information about City Faire on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityFaire.