 "Photo: Eman Ma '13")
 "Photo: Eman Ma '13")
 "Photo: Eman Ma '13")
Indie singer-songwriter Thao Nguyen can currently be found on the reputable independent record label Kill Rock Stars, a small company that has built a name for leftist, feminist and anti-war political sensibilities channeled through an alternative
punk rock sound that Thao exuberantly embodied with her expressive voice and resounding acoustic guitar at WZLY’s Spring Concert Extravaganza in Tishman Commons on Wednesday, April 21.
WZLY Promotions Director Ami Li ’10 sees it as the goal of WZLY and college radio stations in general “to introduce new bands and artists to people and to publicize music that wouldn’t necessarily be played on mainstream radio.”
The night began with up-and-comer electronica musician Toro y Moi, the moniker of half-Philipino and half-African American Chad Bundick who hails from South Carolina. Though the setlist was short, he created a dreamlike atmosphere with tracks like “Blessa” and “Talamak” that featured a combination of soft vocal harmonies and ambient beats provided by his synthesizer, keyboard and laptop. Another indie artist, his recent rise in popularity can be attributed to the new genre of indie music called “chillwave” embraced for creating a more slowed down, lo-fi sound not typically found in electronica music today.
When Thao’s set began, her talent was evident in the expansive opening track, “Bed,” a song that states women are more than just sexual entities or a “body in your bed.” The track featured guitar shredding, to replace the trumpets found on the album version, from her band the Get Down Stay Down, which included Willis Thompson on drums, Adam Thompson on bass, and the handsome fan-favorite “James” on electric guitar and keyboards. The trio of young men served as more than simply a backing band. They provided as much on-stage banter as Thao herself.
Halfway through the set, Thompson archly announced Wellesley served as “the best audience ever.” In the past, large concerts held by SBOG and WZLY have gained the reputation for not providing enough enthusiasm or attendance for artists to thrive on during a performance. Thao and the Get Down Stay Down proved the problem should not be attributed to Wellesley alone but also to the dynamic and suitability of the band itself. According to Li, who planned the event, their sound and style perfectly appeal to Wellesley audiences. “Thao is a female rock star in an indie music world that is often dominated by men, and if you see her live, she also isn’t one of those quiet, contemplative guitar players. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but she surprises you with her ability and desire to just rock out and with her skill on the guitar.”
Though originally from Virginia, Thao’s folk rock sound is a product of the Portland music scene found on her Kill Rock Stars label. When Thao featured more songs from her 2008 debut album “We Brave Bee Stings and All,” the audience responded with cheers and crowd surfing to the youthful vibrancy of “Swimming Pools” and “Bag of Hammers,” which were highlights of the night. Thao’s punk rock attitude shone as she grabbed drumsticksof her own to “Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)” from her second and most recent album “Know Better Learn Faster.” More contemplative songs from the album such as “The Give” and “Easy” delivered the perfect closure to the night.
On May 1, WZLY will host their last concert of the year featuring “Previously on Lost,” a band from Brooklyn that creates comedic musical recaps of each episode of the ABC show, “Lost.
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