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Moonpools and Caterpillars

Summer 1995 Tour


RAD is always on the lookout for a new band that has talent and style. We've found an LA based group, Moonpools and Caterpillars, who may soon be playing in a town near you. I caught them in a bar and listened to a fab show.

They have a unique sound, and it's hard to describe. This talented foursome is fronted by Kimi Ward Encarnacion, a frenetic being on the lighted stage. Her energy pervades the bar, causing people to get up and dance wildly. Her vocals are hard to describe - she has an aw-shucks quality about her. But I caught reflections of a Natalie Merchant-esqueness about her in some of her tonal inflections. She also sings with a lot of vowels which reminded me of a spastic Liz Fraser (sometimes I wasn't sure if she was also making up vocals as she went along).

Their music does have a shimmering quality about it - most of the songs have a very happy feel to them although they weappy feel to them although they weren't always about happy subjects. Their first single is "Hear," which is getting airtime across the Western US. But they move easily from a lilting ballad to guitar laden riffs that force you out of your bar stool. I enjoyed "Summertime" and "Trampling." Kimi also broke out into an impromptu version of "Keep on Rockin Me" with her talented voice during a short band break.

If you're looking for something dark and heavy, you probably wouldn't enjoy this band. They have a buoyant optimism that is infectious. I've seen quite a few debuting bands in the past few weeks, and these guys are talented. Look for them at your local bar, or for their new album Lucky Dumpling, released by EastWest Records. If you want to get in touch with them, contact them at:

Moonpools and Caterpillars:

Email: moonpools@aol.com

Moonmail
P.O. Box 411866
Los Angeles, CA 90041

Su Chon
© 1995, Rational Alternative Digital