Autre Ne Veut @ The Troubadour 10/09/15
I spent Friday night at the historic Troubadour of West Hollywood, a tiny venue with a titanic reputation. Knowing the background of the Troubadour lends it a sense of importance, as if the show you’re seeing is one for the ages. Arthur Ashin, aka Autre Ne Veut, ensured his performance lived up to the hype.
The phrase Autre Ne Veut translates to mean “I want no other.” The crowd’s reaction to Ashin’s performance suggests the name is well-placed.
Ashin’s lofty vocal styling benefited from the Troubadour’s grand ceilings. Coupled with the hazy lighting the effect felt like a religious experience, of a gospel given at an alter. The venue brimmed with fanfare, a melodious mixture of Ashin’s band, his own unbridled voice and those of his two female band-mates (excellent harmonizers I must say). Ashin appeared entranced himself; he possesses a piercing gaze that he consistently directed at the audience, as if to convey another message his music can’t get across.
This also led to literal trance moments by Ashin, where he stood mid-stage in seeming rapture at the audience. Such moments at times felt overwrought and a bit conceited; personally I prefer such time being used by the artist to banter more with the crowd, one of the reasons many people go to shows, especially ones as intimate as the Troubadour allows. What’s the point of such intimacy if you only spend it on yourself?
Despite those criticisms I found Ashin presented himself and his music with a fine precision. Never did the band or the singer ever blow a note, and the fact that Ashin’s voice can go on unconstrained for so long is a feat in itself. Many a singer strive for the control he so effortlessly displays.
After the show, I found out to my initial dismay, and simultaneous surprise, that the entire band performed without a written setlist. Impressive, but upsetting! How was I to collect one for you all? But thanks to a very friendly band-mate of Ashin’s, Christi Jo, I managed to snag both a written setlist AND a drumstick. Needless to say I left in a trance of my own, stunned by the scale of the show and the kindness of the band.
