Phoebe Nir "Side Hustle" EP

If you were around in Hollywood during the New Wave days of the 80s you were familiar with the female fronted band sound of Missing Persons, The Motels, Tony Basil, Cindy Lauper, The Go Gos and the famous L.A. pinup girl / pop star Angeline. Listening to New York City's Phoebe Nir's new CD entitled "Side Hustle", released through True Groove Records, takes me right back to cruising from Harry's Pit BBQ on Crescent Heights (where they had a breath mint dispenser selling candies made exactly to look like Quaaludes) to Wong's West on Wilshire Blvd. with Frasier Smith on the radio and Max Headroom on MTV (they used to play music videos back then).

 Now before you say I'm being unfair calling Phoebe's sound "Retro New Wave" I need to tell you she starts out her six song EP with the Iggy Pop classic "Lust For Life" (1977). That pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the EP and it's a pretty fun tone. This girl is definitely just wanting to have fun and these songs are the perfect soundtrack to a fun night out. These days "fun" can have a dark, even sinister aura to it as the times have certainly changed and what may have seemed so shocking back in 1980 seems absolutely quaint now but infectious, bouncy, catchy and just plain happy sounds are never out of style if that's what you're in the mood for. 

All the songs on "Side Hustle" are written by Phoebe Nir except for the Iggy / David Bowie "Lust for Life" and are produced by Tomás Doncker and James Dellatacoma for True Groove Records. Tomás Doncker, James Dellatacoma played the guitars, Nick Rolfe and Manu Koch  the keyboards, Mike Griot the bass and James "Whoop" Coley is the drummer. James Dellatacoma at Orange Music Sound Studios did a great job of mixing and with horn sections (Mac Gollehon), back up vocals (Mac Gollehon and Charlie Funk) and sound effects it's a circus in your ears. Michael Fossenkemper of TurtleTone Studios mastered it for those keeping track.

 

Phoebe has performed at some of New York's hottest venues, including Joe's Pub and 54 Below, and was received at the White House by President Obama as a Presidential Scholar of the Arts. She is currently developing a Broadway-bound musical theater trilogy, 'Diana & Navy', with composer/producer Tomás Doncker.

Phobe Nir will be opening for No Wave icons James Chance & The Contortions at the Bowery Electric on November 10th, 2016 as a featured member of the True Groove All Stars. Until she hits L.A. you can hit her up at phoebenir.com.