Varo
Varo is made up of Wan Ting, the founder of 7 Inch Vinyl Records and the
guitarist of Tin Pan Alley, Lydia and Graffiti from Chasing Sparrow and Show
Yao, formerly of Star Child and Bad Daughter. Named after the obscure Spanish
painter Remedios Varo, the group uses interfacing laptops and live guitars to
give the listener a sense of clashing images, keeping to their namesake. Further
perpetuating this mix of image and sound is the fact that the band members are
big fans of cult movies. "We love films!" appears to be their motto. As it
follows, all their song titles are named after movies like, "Easy Rider," "The
Man Who was not there," and "Amelie." The songs slightly take you back to the
movie, yet completely stand alone giving the listener a new interpretation.
(Count Zero and Mona Lisa Overdrive;
Show Yao and Wan Ting
(Photo: Eatbrain))
When I started hearing about Varo, it was around the time they had released
their first CD Hardcore Beach on the 7 Inch Vinyl label. I remember seeing
flyers for a performance they did at the Nowhere Café as part of DJ Randy’s Lap
Dance party series. While I missed this event, I heard that they combined their
set with computer animation by Graffiti and their friend James, an artist who
also designed their stickers.
(Wan Ting, Lydia, Xiao Mei (Photo: Eatbrain))
When I finally saw Varo play at The Wall, there wasn’t any animation
involved, but I was impressed by the thoughtful electronic-indie that ventured
sometimes into sudden bursts of intensity with the help of Show Yao. I saw them
again at the UbU fest where they played another interesting set. Lydia would
work most of the laptop mixing with Wan Ting observing over her guitar while
Graffitti played bass off to the side. Show Yao would lend screaming vocals or
help with mixing or playing bass on different songs. The relatively new
phenomena of creating electronic music on laptops has come to be referred to as
"lap-pop," however, I would call Varo "lap-punk" because of the high-energy found
in their music.
(Cyber-punk Show Yao (Photo: Eatbrain))
Wan Ting has a reputation for making cheap recordings sound good, and
Hardcore Beach proves the point. Self-recorded and produced, and released on her
own independent label, the L.P. marks a milestone in Taiwan’s underground
history. It has elements of drum n’ bass, electronica and ambient that end up
rocking in mysterious ways. Just after I left Taiwan in April 2005, I heard Varo
had left to tour of Australia.Unfortunately, I also heard that Lydia was
leaving the group. While I’m not sure if this will lead to a break up, it’s good
to know we have this recording.
2007 Update:
Varo is still together under direction of Wanting, however the original line up has completely
changed with the exception of Show Yao who has assumed a larger role in the group. Joing
Wan Ting for the second release is Lily (ex-Braces), Xiao Zen and Kiao Ko. The new album is scheduled for release in early 2007 on 7 Inch Vinyl Records... And they're still watching movies!
VARO
is now available at PACIFICTION RECORDS!
