Concert Review: Zola Jesus At The Horseshoe Tavern

By Less Lee Moore

January 22, 2015
Toronto, ON

At a time when Internet hype threatens to smother any semblance of genuine talent, it’s difficult not to be cynical. Rest assured, however, that Zola Jesus deserves all the praise. Nika Roza Danilova is the real deal.

For those wondering if Danilova can replicate the powerful vibes of her latest album, TAIGA (review), in a live setting, the answer is yes. Her already-amazing voice is actually better in person than on record, which is kind of astonishing. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Opening band Deradoorian was a tremendous surprise. Former Dirty Projectors member Angel Deradoorian and her sister were mesmerizing. With minimal instrumentation (bass guitar, small drum set up, two keyboards, a few processors) along with their vocals and looped harmonies, they managed to create an intoxicating aura. It’s difficult to describe their sound but the word “haunting” keeps coming to mind. In an unexpected and amusing finale, they “performed” the “Alrighty Then” refrain from Ace Ventura: Pet Detective in their own inimitable style, which showed that in addition to immense talent, they also have a good sense of humor.

There was a bit of a delay before Zola Jesus came on stage; this might have had something to do with a woman named Karen who saved the day, presumably by bringing a trombone for band member Daniel Walter Eaton. All was forgiven when the recognizable strains of “Taiga” began, especially when it quickly became apparent that Ms. Danilova possesses not only style but also substance.

Clad in black leggings, a black neoprene top that looked like something from Comme des Garçons, and simple silver jewelry, Danilova alternated between stalking the stage in a pensive fashion, flailing wildly like a woman possessed, and raising her hands to the sky like she was conducting electricity, or perhaps some sort of ancient ritual. The effect was bewitching.

Her band was superlative. The aforementioned Eaton’s trombone playing brought gravitas to the performance, as did Nick Johnson’s thunderous drumming. But it was Danilova’s voice that commanded attention. She successfully blended songs from Taiga with a handful of older tunes, and engaged the audience in her performance, dragging a monitor from the side of the stage so she could stand on it and encourage us to chant along. She sang the opening verse of “Nail” with no microphone or music, and her vocals were spine tingling. At one point she strode purposefully through the dense crowd, probably feeding off of the joy that was radiating from the audience.

For the last song of the night, Danilova allowed herself to be overcome by the music to the point that she nearly collapsed on the stage, and then crawled off, utterly spent after giving us everything she had. And we were most grateful for it.

Tour Dates:
1/30: Durham, NC: Motorco Music Hall
1/31: Atlanta, GA: Terminal West
2/1: New Orleans, LA – Republic
2/2: Houston, TX: Fizgerald’s
2/3: Austin, TX: The Mohawk
2/4: Dallas, TX: Trees
2/6: Phoenix, AZ: Crescent Ballroom
2/7: Las Vegas, NV: Bunkhouse
2/8: Santa Ana, CA: Constellation Room
2/20: Cuauhtémoc, MEX: Sala
3/10: Berlin, DEU: Schwuz
3/11: Copenhagen, DNK: Vega
3/12: Lund, SWE: Mejeriet
3/13: Stockholm, SWE: Kagelbanan
3/14: Göteborg, SWE: Pustervik
3/16: Prague, CZE: Meet Factory
3/17: Vienna, AUT: Wuk
3/18: Budapest, HUN: A38
3/20: Zagreb, HRV: Factory Culture
3/23: Padova, ITA: Mame
3/24: Rome, ITA: Teatro Quirinetta
3/25: Milan, ITA: Tunnel Club
3/26: Ravenna, ITA: Bronson
3/27: Zurich, CHE: M4 Music