Misstress Barbara’s Live ‘I’m No Human’ Tour

Misstress Barbara’s Live ‘I’m No Human’ Tour

29 September, 2008 | 8.51PM

• Written by: Amanda Connon-Unda
• Filed under: Music News: misstress barbara

Last weekend in Toronto Misstress Barbara performed one of the first live performances to showcase the work from her upcoming artist album entitled ‘I’m No Human’ which will be properly released in 2009.

Her live performance at ‘This is London’ featured the band she created to tour with her to play the songs off her new album.

On stage, Misstress Barbara did the vocals and programming, and her new band mates pitched in.

Mathieu Brault was on bass guitar, and Matai Dubus was on keyboards.

Even as a DJ, Misstress Barbara had a strong almost theatrical stage presence.

Her energy levels are high and as a singer she was no less intense than would be expected. 

Surprisingly strong as a vocalist, her front-woman persona worked well.

Although her first songs that she performed such as ‘Four on the Floor’ were upbeat and infused with some clubbier techno rhythms, when she performed her song ‘Dance Me to the End of Love’, the mood became somber.

Also notable was that on the slower songs, the emphasis on Misstress Barbara’s vocals was much greater and as a result her ability as a singer was put to the test.

At ‘This is London’, with a crowd accustomed to club DJs, the atmosphere was not geared toward a proper rock show.

The reception of patrons was not overwhelming, at least for the first part of her set, as some people were not paying much attention and seemed more concerned with their over-priced bottle service.

It’s a shame that sometimes club audiences cannot be captivated by live shows, but it begs the question whether this type of show would do better in different venues with crowds more suited to appreciating it.

That said, the show was a great starting out point for Misstress Barbara who hopes that in addition to being known as a world class DJ, she will also be a much sought-after live performer.

While the reception to her live band project is yet to be fully revealed, Misstress Barbara says, “It’s so new that I can’t really tell, ask me again in six months!

... I have been working so hard on it and now it’s time to share it the rest of the world.”

In addition to her live band tour of the album, Misstress Barbara has also expressed interest in continuing to work outside of the techno genre.

She’s done remixes for Sam Roberts and YoAv, and worked on this album on songs such as; ‘Is it OK’, co-producing with Bjorn Yttling from Peter, Bjorn and John. 

She also worked with Brazilian Girls, and recorded a duet with Canadian singer/ songwriter Sam Roberts.

Misstress Barbara said yesterday, “I think doing remixes of music outside of the genre of techno is a big challenge and this is why I like it.

“It’s not so easy to do, but its fun. 

“I hope to be doing more of that in the future, as well as other types of collaborations.”

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