Ladybirds and Yes.Oui.Si.

Earlier this month, we took in a performance at Yes.Oui.Si, the “multi-sensory” exhibit space on Vancouver Street in Boston (just around the corner from MassArt and the MFA). The space functions as both a gallery and a performance venue for artists of all genres - visual artists, performance artists, musicians, poets, filmmakers and more. 

The event was titled Lady Bird Renditions, and included performances from four female musicians, with poetry readings between sets. We were particularly blown away by Julia Easterlin, a Berklee grad who uses a looping machine and her powerful voice to compose moving, harmonic vocal pieces. 

There is something uniquely invigorating about experiencing a live performance in a gallery. It's as though the energy reverberating from the paintings, prints, sketches and sculpture converges with the energy from the performers and the audience as people bounce and sway to the music. There is a sense of being submerged in a tide of creativity. 

Julia Easterlin left us smiling and spellbound. Her voice spans an impressive range - in one instant soothing, in the next a booming force felt deep in the marrow. Easterlin uses her looping machine to great effect - she generates staccato, percussive sounds and layers them with lilting operatic vocals, pops, clicks, coos, pleas and declarations. Against this backdrop, she harmonizes; belts out the words or gently caresses them. She dances and gestures and beckons her audience. She is her own backup singer, she is the front woman, she is the conductor. She is a captivating performer, confidently engaging her audience and her band  (on this night a bass player and two percussionists). 


Here's Julia performing her version of the Pixies "Break My Body". 

If you can't get beyond the obvious quality issues with my camera phone footage, check out her 2011 performance of the same song below. 

Days before the performance, I had the opportunity to meet some of the Yes.Oui.Si. staff, including Director Miguel de Braganza. Miguel talked a bit about his vision for Yes.Oui.Si., and his continued efforts to seek out innovative uses for the space, to provide young artists with a venue and to provide audiences with access to new and exciting work. (If you feel inspired to submit a proposal, you should click here).