Member Since: 2/9/2007
Band Website: www.nicolefermie.com" www.nicolefermie.com
Band Members: Nicole - Guitar + Vocals
Howie - Drums + Percussion
Tom - Bass
Influences: Nicole - Funk, Bossa Nova, Rock, Acoustic, Nu-Jazz, Old-School Hip-Hop, The Meters, John Mayer, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sheryl Crow, Quantic, Lenny Kravitz, Ani DiFranco...
Howie - Funk, Soul, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Big-Band, Nu-Jazz, Dance... Buddy Rich, Christian Prommer, James Brown, Mr Scruff, George Clinton, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Zero 7, Gilles Peterson, Soil and Pimp...
Tom - Jazz, Funk, FutureRock, Stevie Wonder, Gavin Castleton, Coldplay, The Beatles, Kings Of Leon, Dave Mathews, The Bees, John Mayer, The Kooks, Sia, Mr. Hudson And The Library, Martin Newnham...
Sounds Like: A jam session with Lenny Kravitz, The Meters, James Brown, Ani DiFranco, John Mayer, Parliament Funkadelic, Sly & the Family Stone, The Roots and Ann Peebles.
Video for our latest single 'Taxi' by Hambi Harambolous!
I'd say that it is still too early to compile and publish any list of 'best of 2008'. That is not to say that I haven't given thought to such matters, for of course I have, but that is a different matter entirely!
On the other hand it certainly is not too early to consider what and who might be influential in 2009 and, although that is still open to question, this EP is already on my list.
As far as I can tell this is currently only available to download, which is a shame, but that is not to detract from its merit at all. She is the principal part in a trio that includes the tight accompaniment of Tom (bass) and Howie (percussion) while she sings lead vocals and also plays lead guitar - her trademark red Strat - an interesting choice for one who, as a child, learned classical piano.
You might have heard her before, without even realising it, as she provided backing vocals for some tracks on the Goldfrapp album 'Seventh Tree'. Her début album is due in 2009.
Thoughts on music
"Now for something particularly special. If you ever see "The Nicole Fermie Trio" eblazoned on a poster around town, for the love of God, go and see them. You only have to catch a glimpes of the action in order to understand just how talented and electrifying this trio really are. Of all the gigs we go to in Bath, DV8 have never seen anywhere as rammed as when Nicole - nicknamed "the girl with the red strat" - displayed her beautifully soulful vocals and sweet skills on the electric guitar at The Porter.
Joined soon after by drummer Howie Gill and bassist Duncan Bell, the three of them set the place alight in a frenzied fusion of upbeat soul, funk and blues with their strong, catchy bass lines and effortlessly smooth drum beats. They even successfully managed to cover Coldplay's "Yellow" and, best of all, TLC's classic "No Scrubs" - to which Nicole slyly slipped in a bit of "Slim Shady". As bizarre as that funk, R'n'B rap melange may sound, it left the crowd in a frantic heave of applause as they heartily demanded an encore from the exceptional troupe, and attempted to dance in the jammed-packed dance floor. These three musicians together produce such a tight, heavy jazz-injected sound, combining classic old-school soul and funk with a fresh brand spanking new stye of music.
The Nicole Fermie Trio are currently working on their debut EP, produced by Tim Oliver, who's recently been working on Goldfrapp;s latest album. They are also set to play Spain's Rocket Festival in May this year alongside acts such as Pendulum and The Nextmen."
DV8 Magazine
"Nicole Fermie has had a pretty colourful life so far. Born to Indian parents, Fermie grew up in Vienna before moving to the UK to study at Bath University. Having previously done backing vocals for Goldfrapp, Fermie is ready to step into the limelight under her own name with Taxi EP.
Taxi EP contains three songs that showcase Fermie as a singer to keep your eye on. Opening with the title track, Fermie's music hits you immediately with its funky bassline and guitar riffs. Fermie's voice has a deep, husky quality to it with impressive underlying power and control. Second track Start Somewhere changes things up and offers a gentler showcase of Fermie's talent. Using incredible restraint, Fermie pulls her vocal back to basics and complements a sparse acoustic riff. The stark contrast between the two tracks serves to showcase Fermie's versatility as an artist.
The third and final track Stay is an acoustic-led ballad with a lazy groove. Once again Fermie's vocals standout as she delivers an emotion-packed performance. At the end of the track she lets herself go a little and shows the power she has in her voice.
Taxi EP is a strong release from Nicole Fermie. Her vocals are her strength and this EP proves that she can use them in very different ways to suit diffeent musical styles. We'd be interested to hear more from her but for now we'll make do with this on repeat."
In The News.co.uk (Single of the Week)
Record Label: Top Cat Records
Type of Label: Indie