Sudan Archives with Jujulipps – Powerstation: July 20, 2023

Sudan Archives brought her show to Auckland’s Powerstation last night and we were there. Sudan is an avant-garde violinist who channels sounds through loop pedals and is described as a “boundary-defying R&V innovator”.

The 13th Floor’s Jeff Neems files his report and photographer Ivan Karczewski supports with his pix:

My relationship with the violin is difficult, at best.

I’m scarred by childhood memories of an older sibling’s courageous – but ultimately futile – attempts to learn the instrument. For several years, I hid away in my room, with my pillow over my head, desperately trying to block out the barely tuneful screecher of a beginner striving to offer something to the school orchestra.

So, with a hint of trepidation, I headed along to Sudan Archives last night wondering if those childhood memories would badly warp my perception of the Ohio-born musician’s performance.

My reason for raising my figurative hand to review Sudan Archives (Brittney Denise Parks) was driven largely by one fact: she’s with Stones Throw Records, the California powerhouse label helmed by Peanut Butter Wolf and which is responsible for, among others, releasing the Madvillian album and the first two records by Aloe Blacc.

Sudan Archives reflects the variety of the label’s artist roster, merging the violin with house music, modern neo-soul, tribal rhythms and at one point last night, outright screaming. She does not fit neatly into any genre or musical box, throwing together a myriad of influences into an eclectic and esoteric sound matched to a theatrical performance style.
To be clear – this isn’t a bad thing. She has a genuinely fabulous voice, is very gifted with her instrument, and brings to her shows a sensual and sexual energy paired with a child-like excitement and mischievousness.

Backed by a multi-instrumentalist chap whose name I didn’t quite catch, Sudan Archives bounded through a lively set at the Powerstation, dashing around the stage, out into the crowd at one point, frequently returning to favoured topics of relationships, love, sex and the body parts most commonly associated with these themes. The words “dick” and “titties” cropped up throughout her hour-long performance.

My limited research for this show did leave me on the back foot: I don’t have any of her albums, and to prep, I checked out an NPR Tiny Desk from a few years ago, an KEXP studio show, and a few music videos (one of those was Not For Sale, which she played last night to rapturous applause).

None of that really prepared me for her current live offer. It is somewhat bizarre (cc her choice of what appeared to be a LOTR-inspired stage attire, complete with quiver for arrows and knee-high boots), at times sublime (the gentler melodic and melancholy moments) and on other occasions floor-shakingly bass-heavy, and at one point very traditional when she busted into what sounded like a traditional Irish jig. It goes here, there and everywhere.

All said, an entertaining and unusual show with a sexy and exotic streak, but at times just a bit too intense and perhaps even a tad contrived.

“Interesting”, as my 86-year-old Dad says when I offer him a craft beer outside his usual flavours.

Jeff Neems

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Ivan Karczewski:

Sudan Archives:

Jujulipps: