Most of the New Zealand music that makes it to these shores is of the Flying Nun variety: jangly pop, decidedly male. (Albiet uaually sensitive males.) Annabel Alpers, who records under the name Bachelorette, makes music that is keyboard-heavy, thick with harmony, and often ready for the dancefloor. And she's a girl, obviously. But like so much Kiwi pop, Bachelorette is humanistic and warm… and super-catchy. This was Bachelorette's first show of her U.S. tour supporting her second album, My Electric Family, with help from a drummer and Australian Pikelet who did a set of her own earlier in the night. While laptops surrounded Alpers, the most crucial instrument was live: her breathy, fragile voice that at times recalled Beth Orton or Electrelane. Ten songs went by quickly, and Cake Shop owner Andy Bodor yelled from behind the bar that they could do as many more songs as they had ready. Alpers then gave us one more song, but I'd have stayed all night. I've got a new crush.
MP3: Bachelorette – Mindwarp (Buy it from Drag City)
MP3: Bachelorette – Lifetime (Get it from Emusic)
Bachelorette plays Union Hall tonight (6/16) and then heads across the country before heading back to NYC to open for Here We Go Magic at the Seaport Music Festival on July 3. All those tour dates are below this video I shot of Bachelorette performing "Her Rotating Head" from the new album.
Bachelorette Tour Dates
Jun 15 – Cake Shop NEW YORK, New York
Jun 16 – Union Hall BROOKLYN, New York
Jun 17 – Kung Fu Necktie PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania
Jun 18 – Talking Head BALTIMORE, Maryland
Jun 19 – Crofoot Ballroom – Pike Room Pontiac, Michigan
Jun 20 – Hideout CHICAGO, Illinois
Jun 21 – 7th Street Entry MINNEAPOLIS
Jun 22 – The Jackpot Saloon LAWRENCE
Jun 23 – Larimer Lounge Denver, Colorado
Jun 24 – Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, Utah
Jun 25 – Neurolux Boise, Idaho
Jun 26 – The Red Room Kennewick, Washington
Jun 27 – The Triple Door Seattle, Washington
Jun 28 – The Aladdin Theater Portland, Oregon
Jun 30 – Bimbo's 365 Club SAN FRANCISCO, California
Jul 1 – The Troubadour Los Angeles, California
Jul 3 – Seaport Music Festival New York, New York