photo by Shalaco Wordsmith
Upon first listening to Con Brio, I let out a deep sigh of relief. No longer do up-and-coming soul bands over-polish their sound with unnecessary synth and cartoonish gloss. Steeped within the gilded and gritty sounds of soul and funk, this five-piece San Francisco collective have been starting to electrify fans, disc jockeys, critics, record collectors, and bloggers the world-over with their authentic, heart-felt sound. The authenticity clearly demonstrated on the band’s new album, From The Hip. Released July 20th, 2010, the album drips with a warmth and spontaneity rarely found since the golden days of smokefilled jazz clubs. Lead vocalist Xandra’s voice is strong and evokes at once the raw power of influential soul singers and the melodic command of gospel vocalists. From the lush jazz-soul fanfare that ushers in Jimi’s Song, to the unapologetic You Fuckers, the band dances seamlessly through both the most crafted and simple arrangements with subtlety and discipline. But most of all, Con Brio’s From The Hip is an achievement and a testament to authentic soul with no strings attached.
You can catch Con Brio at our own Snob Theater this Saturday at the Dark Room Theater at 10pm. Tickets can be found here.
Check out the tour dates and pick up their new album From the Hip here.
So for this week’s Kuestionnaire, to hype up our event with Con Brio, we have vocalist Xandra Corpora as she provides the best “sound description” for question #2.
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1. Could you state your name and what you do in the band?
Name: Xandra Purpose: write songs, play guitar, sing, play bass once in awhile.
2. How would you describe your sound?
A mixture of violent wind and female orgasms
3. What is your favorite local band?
Sioux City Kid and the Revolutionary Ramblers
4. Any concerts that blew your mind recently?
Soulive and Wil Blades at the Boom Boom Room awhile back
5. Any non-musical influences you would like to mention?
Pain, Love, Kittens, Chemistry, Water
6. If your music was to be the theme of a film/TV show, what would it be?
Some movie about coming to terms with yourself and then fucking shit up
7. What musician/artist would you like to collaborate with for a day?
Sergio Mendes or Beck or Eric Clapton on some acoustic blues
8. What is the album you listen to on a cold rainy day?
Pink Floyd – “Echos”
9. List four songs you would listen to on a roadtrip?
I listen to albums on road trips. Here are 4 albums:
Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy
The Pharcyde – Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
Luiz Bonfa – Solo in Rio 1959
No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom
10. Where do you see yourselves in 7 years?
I try not to think about it lest I be disappointed
11. What is the last book you read?
“Autobiography of a Yogi” by Paramhansa Yogananda
12. Is image a factor in music or is it a waste of time?
I just try to go with whatever is coming out. Even if it sucks you just have to let it be born, accept it for what it is and let it go on its way.
13. Any embarrassing moments on stage you would like to share?
I was nervous so I pointed at a guy and told him I wanted to “do” him.
14. Any favorite tour locations?
I havn’t toured yet, but would like to go to New Orleans.
15. Lastly, what is your present state of mind?
I am not stoned.
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[mp3] Con Brio – Jimi’s Song from From The Hip (2010)
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[mp3] Con Brio – Rampage from From The Hip (2010)