Fbi Radio / Penny Drop Party - ZOLA JESUS, LIGHT ASYLUM, FORCES (USA / AUS)

For Vivid LIVE 2012, FBi Radio and Penny Drop present an evening dedicated to a darker side of indie rock that has recently flourished around the world. The Studio will be taken over with the Australian debuts of Zola Jesus and Light Asylum, two leaders in this most gothic and operatic of genres.

As Zola Jesus, 22-year-old Nika Roza Danilova has already released three albums, developing a cult following through her prolific work ethic. Exposed to macabre imagery from an early age (her father’s hunting expeditions), Danilova’s fixation with opera singing and dark subject matter gives Zola Jesus’ performances a cathartic intensity, belying her small town upbringing. With the release of her third album Conatus (meaning ‘will to live’), the once-solo project has now expanded into a four piece band, creating ‘primitive and instinctive’ versions of her propulsive music.

With isolated origins similar to Zola Jesus, New York duo Light Asylum now find themselves at the centre of a burgeoning scene. Exploring a minimal mix of synth pop and industrial styles, singer Shannon Funchess’ engrossing presence has been likened to Grace Jones with an operatic contralto. Building a reputation for intense, mechanised performances, Light Asylum’s self-titled debut aims to recapture the atmosphere of their cavernous club shows.

The Australian contingent of this fast-growing scene will be represented by Melbourne’s Forces, developing a smear of dance floor styles and post punk murkiness that has resulted in a confrontational live show.

This is an 18+ event