by Morgan Bell

Created on: January 29, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

My (not so) secret love affair with iOTA

In the last six months I have developed a ferocious musical crush on the sassy slip of a girlie boy iOTA. I am completely captivated by this petite little performers amazing musical ability. He first came to my attention as the lead in the Sydney production of cult transsexual punk rock musical Hedwig. And with a new album and a stream of dynamic live gigs I am more engaged than ever. Let me try to you why . . .

The New iOTA Album "Beauty Queen of the Sea"

iOTA's beguiling forth album "Beauty Queen of the Sea" was released October 2006 by Blackyak Records. There is something comforting and optimistic about this album, something that will compel you to play it again and again. Musically it is tight and rich with a myriad of sounds and beautiful vocals. But more than that, iOTA has managed to create a sound which is somehow hauntingly familiar yet entirely new and innovative at the same time. The style is an earthy indie/alternative vibe, yet you will recognise an eerie mish-mash of motifs and signatures from the influences of everything from Grunge to Britpop to David Bowie to Marilyn Manson. The use of upbeat musical arrangements juxtaposed with gritty lyrical themes is reminiscent of The Beatles "Rubber Soul". The songs are catchy and melodic but with somewhat sinister and ambiguous lyrics. It's like somebody wiping the dust from an antique music box and letting the tiny ballerina twirl away to the chimes while pulling you near to whisper awful secrets in your ear. The album will captivate you with story-telling while the seemingly simple tunes will unravel and stretch out, winding around your mind, driving deep into your psyche and relentlessly etching itself on your memory. The songs on this album seem crafted to embed musical hooks that you will not recover from. Highlights include "Little Pigeon" which is a lurking song of seduction and "Primitive" which is like actually listening to anxiety itself. You will feel like you're delving into something experimental but with someone holding your hand . . . someone wise and inspired!

The Live Gigs of iOTA & The Beauty Queens

I first saw iOTA sing at the debut gig of his new band The Beauty Queens in Newcastle the first time they played together infront of an audience in November 2006. The gig was at The Northern Star in Hamilton, a very small venue, which made for a very intimate concert.
He opened with "You and I" from his Little Carlos EP which is incredibly tender and contemplative.

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