Woman in Sin teams with a polyglot array of personally-felt folk influences channeled into vivid original songs like the sexy title track, written by Smolens with extensive input from the group to showcase Knudson's striking looks and torch-singing persona. Providing a solidly swingin' foundation for the band, Stijepovic's bass is virtuosic, upbeat, and sensual by turns, especially in a sultry duet with Knudson, the jazz standard "Fever."
On "Cou Cou," Smolens and Knudson mix French and English in a playful tease of original lyrics as Knudson's girlish voice gracefully drifts between the guitar and violin, with a wink to the Hot Club of France. Reveling in the sounds of Django Reinhardt while adding rock 'n‘ flare, Smolens' flamenco-tinged gypsy jazz guitar style shimmers.
Echoing the memories of Martinez' days as a circus performer, a musical saw (played by Knudson) warbles a high-pitched haunting refrain on the lilting waltz "Espanolette." "The saw is my thing," says Knudson with a smile. "It works because I am a singer, and it involves the same bodily intuition. People always tell me that they can't tell the difference between the saw and my voice."
Stijepovic keeps the party going with an original take on an irresistible Balkan dance form with "Djordje's Rachenitza". "It's a big thing in Bulgaria and Serbia," Stijepovic explains," but the 7/8 groove also gets people dancing anywhere. So I just had to write my own."
Inspired by a Kurdish melody, "Nadim" is a blisteringly fast and darkly entrancing jaunt that features percussive bass slapping, virtuosic violin solos, and technically skilled guitar work. The title of the song pays homage to a melody by Martinez' favorite violinist, Nadim Nalbantoglu. "It was incredibly hard to figure out," Knudson explains, "but Fabrice loves a challenge. We all worked from the basic melody and arranged something very Fishtank Ensemble sounding."
Showing the band's versatility and emotional range, "O Dewel," is a seductively slow-waltzing, musical prayer. Featuring lyrics in Romanes, a West European dialect of the Roma language, this intensely pensive piece produced a powerful spiritual experience in the studio. "It was a magical moment," remembers Knudson. "On the first take, there was this point where the music swelled and we all felt it. It's just that kind of a song." Shifting gears, "Opa Opa" invites the listener to a raucous celebration by evoking images of dancing Gypsies on tabletops. Knudson notes that, "It's just a dirty party song from Serbia that is like a volcano of sound."
With a new emphasis on original material and old-school skills, Fishtank Ensemble has matured into their distinctly odd yet remarkably apt name, performing a self-aware selection of twisting timbres and tempos that capture an ineffable joy. "We want to produce music that people have never heard before, taking audiences to new places, so they can experience a range of emotions that we transmit through song," muses Knudson. "That is the best thing we can offer: our heart."Fishtank Ensemble, Woman In Sin, 2010 Tour:
Full Tour Schedule
03/17/2010, Wed
Fort Worth, TX The Grotto
517 University Dr.
Tix: $5, Show: 11 pm
Ph: 817.882.9331
03/18/2010, Thu
Austin, TX Ginger Men Pub
301 Lavaca
Tix: $5, Show: 6 pm
Ph: 512.473.8801
03/19/2010, Fri
Austin, TX Amsterdan Cafe-SXSW Official Showcase
121 W 8th St
Show: 10:00 PM
03/21/2010, Sun
San Francisco, CA Amnesia
835 Valencia
Show: 9 pm
Ph: 415.970.0012
03/23/2010, Tue
Houston, TX McGonigels Mucky Duck
2425 Norfolk St
Tix: $20, Show: 7:30 PM
04/09/2010, Fri
San Francisco, CA DeYoung Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr
Show: 6:30 pm
Free Admission!
04/10/2010, Sat
Flagstaff, AZ Coconino Center for the Arts
2300 North For valley Rd
Tix: $12/15, Doors Open: 6:30 PM, Show: 7:00 PM
04/11/2010, Sun
Snowflake, AL Moon Dance Ranch
9773 Garden Home Trail
Show: 8 pm
Ph: 218.547.1055
04/15/2010, Thu
Atlanta, GA Eyedrum
290 MLK Jr Dr SE, Ste 8
Tix: $8/10, Show: 8:00 PM
Ph: 404.522.0655
04/16/2010, Fri
Frankfort, KY Kentucky Coffee Tree
235 W Broadway
Tix: $15/20, Show: 7:00 PM
04/17/2010, Sat
Staunton, VA Mockingbird
123 West Beverly St
Tix: $10/12, Doors Open: 6:00 PM, Show: 8:30 PM
04/18/2010, Sun
Aberdeen, NC Roosters Wife-Poplar Knight Spot
114 Knight St
04/20/2010, Tue
Thomas, WV The Purple Fiddle
21 East ave
Tix: $10, Show: 8:00 PM
04/21/2010, Wed
Knoxville, TN Barleys Taproom
200 E Jackson Ave
Show: 10:00 pm
Free Admission! Ph: 865.521.0092
04/23/2010, Fri
Lafayette, LA Festival Internationale
04/24/2010, Sat
Lafayette, LA Festival Internationale
04/25/2010, Sun
New Orleans, LA Allways Lounge
2240 St Claude
Tix: $7, Show: 10:00 PM
05/13/2010, Thu
Arcata, CA Arcata Playhouse
1251 9th St
Tix: $12/15, Doors Open: 7:30 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
05/14/2010, Fri
Grass Valley, CA North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center
05/15/2010, Sat
Point Arena, CA Arena Theater
214 Main St
Doors Open: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
05/16/2010, Sun
Sebastopol, CA Hopmonk
230 Petaluma Ave
Tix: $12/15, Show: 8:00 PM
05/18/2010, Tue
Sacramento, CA Firehouse 5
2014 B 9th St
Tix: $15; 20, Doors Open: 7:00 PM, Show: 7:30 PM
05/19/2010, Wed
Santa Cruz, CA Moes Alley
1535 Commercial Way
Tix: $12/9, Show: 8:00 pm
Ph: 831.479.1854
06/19/2010, Sat
Albuquerque, NM Expo New Mexico
San Pedro Drive
Show: 12 pm
07/17/2010, Sat
Tourist Park, Marquette, MI Hiawatha Traidtional Music Festival @ Tourist Park
Tourist Park
Show: 12 pm
07/18/2010, Sun
Tourist Park, Marquette, MI Hiawatha Tradtional Music Festival @ Tourist Park
Tourist Park
Show: 12 pm
08/11/2010, Wed
Casper, WY Nicolaysen Art Museum
400 E. Collins Dr.
Tix: $Free, Show: 5:30 pm
08/14/2010, Sat
Phoenix, AZ Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd.
Show: 8 pm
Ph: 480.478.6000
08/15/2010, Sun
Phoenix, AZ Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd.
Show: 8 pm
Ph: 480.478.6000
