The pairing of multi-instrumentalists Nkosenathi Koela and Moodship for an intimate show in the Pink Room at Gorgeous George was a masterstroke. The two artists delivered beautiful sonic experiences that ultimately felt like an enriching emotional journey.
To be frank, I didn’t go to this show with the intention of writing a review – but about halfway into Nkosenathi Koela’s first song, I knew I had to. Koela created such a unique space with his looped vocal harmonies and complimentary layers of traditional instruments that I knew I had to write about the experience.
I went to the show because watching Moodship has been at the top of my list for a while. Moodship is the moniker of critically-acclaimed musician Gary Thomas – who first piqued my interest with his videos on Instagram. The short clips are of Gary in nature, either on a mountain, by the sea, or near a waterfall, playing his acoustic guitar with a bow of a violin. I knew I had to see this in concert.
Moodship makes beautiful textural guitar music that ranges from eerie and ambient to driving, thunderous, and rocking. Thomas’ vocals and intricate, acoustic music remind me of Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold in its stripped-back and emotionally raw nature. The way the guitar is used as a percussive instrument as well as a string instrument is impressive and moving. Be sure to catch Moodship on tour.
Nkosenathi Koela (also known as Mntana.WeXhele) opened the show with a performance that was simultaneously grounding and ethereal – like a moment of self-realization combined with an otherworldly force. This is no coincidence as Koela whose music is rooted in African spirituality. Koela uses a range of traditional instruments such as the mbira, the kamale ngoni, and the flute to flesh out a unique sonic space. Ambient flute music is having a big moment following the release of Andre 3000’s New Blue Sun. If you enjoyed that album, I highly recommend listening to Koela’s album inGuqu.
Koela and Thomas performed together on a track, or a vibration as Koela would put it, that they had written during sound check. Koela on the kamale ngoni, a West African string instrument featuring 12 strings, and Thomas on guitar. I hope to see both artists sharing a bill again; the combination of these two musicians is refreshing and moving.
