Metro Santa Cruz - October 2005
amelia
"Hear that, Matt? Single coils, baby!? proudly proclaimed
guitarist Scott Weddle as he swapped through pickup settings
on his Telecaster before launching into another oddly inflected
excursion into Amelia's blend of '60s pop, Ecuadorian vamps,
and country & western slide guitar. Fronted by Teisha
Helgerson, whose haunting voice reverberates around you skull
long after you've left the venue, Amelia has amassed a collection
of songs that would require way too many hyphens to adequately
describe. All I know is that echo effects are liberally utilized
over acoustic guitar, Pink Floyd's "Fearless" might
show up in a set and there is a mid-'50s Supro lap guitar
in the band. Also former local Michael Papillo is in the band
on bass. The Attic; $10; 8pm.
Peter Koht
AMELIA
This Portland, Ore., quartet plays light, retro, coffee-shop
jazz pop?a perfect fit for the Norah Jones era we inhabit.
Subtle, yet substantial, singer Teisha Helgerson interprets
the songs of guitarist Scott Weddle and bassist Jesse Emerson
with gentle elegance. Resolute on ?Better Than Sleeping Alone,?
the spare arrangement provides just the right support. A walking
bass line and drum shuffle carries the listener forward, while
bluesy guitar creates less-certain psychic space.
The French lyrics of the ?Et Vous? add to the sense that the
song originated in a bygone era. ?St. James? uses piano to
create a dark tone, while Weddle?s intense electric work gives
?Blackbird Pie? an intensity not heard on the majority of
After All. Most importantly, though, Amelia offers its songs
up to frame the lovely voice of Helgerson, a good idea for
all concerned.