8MM’s Juliette Beavan and Nico’s Aja stunners at Lynch benefit on the Sunset Strip

By Summer Sinclair

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/18/08 — The David Lynch Foundation fundraiser at the Key Club kept getting better and better, from 8MM’s moody alternative stylings to Nico Vega’s turn at passionate socially-conscious rock.

For Nico Vega, the raw emotion that flowed out of lead singer Aja Volkman drew both old and young hipsters out of their haze. The gritty, club climate was suddenly infused with a breath of fresh energy. As David Lynch continues to break filmmaking boundaries, Nico Vega is blazing a new trail in rock n’ roll. All the funds from the evening went to the David Lynch Foundation, which encourages socially conscious education and world peace through transcendental meditation.

8MM was like an uber-cool Bogart-Bacall film set to a bouncy alternative beat. Sultry songstress Juliette Beavan looks and moves like a 40s jazz singer, but the tunes run from rock to trip-hop. Not surprising as husband/music partner Sean Beavan is known for his work with Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson. This act is good enough that Hollywood Today has made it a point to catch their shows over the years – and Hollywood has been using their music for film and TV soundtracks for equally as long.

There is a mix of sadness and beauty in Juliette’s voice, like New Orleans, where the couple met when Sean was there working with Trent Reznor on the early NIN material. They live in L.A. now, though the ethereal quality of music meets the otherworldly is something the Big Easy has always had in its soul.

Upon entering the venue for Lynch’s big night, there were splashes of original artwork up for silent auction. Beyond the colorful paintings and dark sketches, an eclectic crowd grooved to the indie rock sounds of Bangkok 5, Astra Heights and event organizers Gods and Monsters whose extended sets and lagging transitions put the event an hour behind schedule.

The witching hour consensus was that everyone had seen way too much of Gods and Monsters’ Joshua Reed’s coin slot. The desire to leave was imminent, yet the word of mouth buzz about Nico Vega kept the crowd lingering. When guitarist Rich Koehler, drummer Dan Epand and lead singer Aja Volkman busted out the evening’s final set, a surge of energy ignited the crowd. As their set evolved, it became clear that Aja could be the next Avril Levine, Amy Winehouse and Madonna wrapped into one.

Yet, instead of singing about boys, booze and drugs, many of Nico Vega’s lyrics concentrate on revolutionary change. Aja’s vocal prowess showed depth and range when she summoned the classic, metal sounds of Plant and Ozzie for the anthem “Beast”, then down-shifted to the raspy, soulful ballad “Wooden Dolls”.

The song “Be Giving” really encapsulated the theme of the charity fundraiser, and seemed to inspire an admirable message of deeper social consciousness. Watching this trio perform was like watching a sexy family creating art. Producer Linda Perry and Myspace Record label execs were in the crowd, proudly showing their support. The making of Nico Vega’s highly anticipated debut album is due out in early 2009.

Nico’s infectious vibes penetrated beyond this one night encounter at the Key Club, and band front woman Aja is definitely an old soul for a fresh generation of rock with a conscience.

http://www.davidlynchfoundation.org

8MM photo (upper) by Donna Vision. Lower photo is Aja of Nico Vega