Singer Nia Mahotiere-Louis—Nia Pash—has released three introductory singles to launch off her band Pash. Pash is rather appealing as a band, with four dapper male members standing at the singer’s side. According to the band’s official biography, the dapper gents are Dano Eugene Jr., the band’s maestro, Greg Previlon on keyboards, Ricardo “Codo” Anilus on congas, and Sebastian “Seby” Tertullien, a guitarist. Between them, they more than 10 years of experience, and Mahotiere-Louis is a former singer for the classic konpa band Zin.
Pash…
Before I even listened to the tracks, I had to pause and smile. Since starting this little website, and since I became Kreyolicious, I haven’t come across too many female-led groups in the konpa genre…unless I missed something. So, seeing this sassy singer leading two males into a song, well, um, the feeling is indescribable.
Naturally, the novelty of seeing a female leading a Haitian band shouldn’t mean that the band should get a pass of any sorts…
So, as I listened to the tracks, I was relieved to see that this band is quite solid musically. First there’s this song “Ayizan” in which the lead singer vocally struts through the lyrics, her voice raging like a soft-edged machete through some wild forest (not the deforested kind either). Her voice is lush, as if prior to recording the track, she had been going through some mental agony and decided to pour all her feelings and emotions in a one-take version of this song. If these songs are just a preview of this band’s capabilities, I wonder what they’ll emerge when they’re ready to present the public with the Real McCoy—the full-pledged Pash.
“More Than Friends” with that bratty auto tune towards the beginning made me want to click the STOP button, but around the 22 seconds mark, I regained my enthusiasm. I was especially charmed and impressed by the singer’s winsome delivery of the song, as well as her range. I don’t know why, but at some point I felt like this is what Ciara would sound like if she could sing in Creole. But the overall vibe was very Chante Moore, a classic singer from the 90s.
For “C’est Lamour”, the singer croons in French. The track showcases the singer’s ability to go from genre to genre. “C’est Lamour” comes with this French Caribbean aura, and the singer comes across as a tropical Celine Dion.
Pash is adorable, from the dotted “a”, in its name…(ahem that’s called a diacritic sign…I looked it up!), to the pink and black color scheme worn by its members, to its R&B- drenched konpa. This band ain’t half-baked, okay?
Moving forward, the music must be rad and the marketing consistent.
Will Mahotiere-Louis lead a revolution? Will Pash be a catalyst of sorts to bring more women to the forefront? Well, that would be something, wouldn’t it?
Let’s go Pash!
Listen to Pash below…
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It’s your girl Kreyolicious signing off this episode of KREYOLICIOUS MUSIC! See ya’ll children next time.
