Andrew Veeder on February 13th, 2015

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As she begins surfing the wave of buzz surrounding her eponymous debut album, one of the year’s best so far, Natalie Prass played to a packed house at Hotel Cafe on Wednesday night, captivating the hushed crowd who only broke their dead silence to erupt in applause after each song.

Backed by Scott Clark on drums, Michael Libramento on bass and the album’s co-producer Trey Polland trading off guitar and keys, Prass and her band performed most of the record during the 50-minute set, giving the material more of a stripped-down, bluesy feel, and proving how strong it is despite the absence of its lush horn and orchestral arrangements. Clad in a long-sleeved white floral dress, with
a confident and gracious demeanor, she began with “Your Fool” and “My Baby Don’t Understand Me,” seated at the keyboard, before switching over to guitar for “Bird of Prey” and “Never Over You.”

Next up was album closer “Is It You,” a song that has drawn comparisons to a Disney princess tune, with Prass quipping, “I didn’t intend for it to be that way, but I’ll take it,” and stepping down into the crowd to pose for a picture halfway through as the groove continued on. The devastating “Violently” packed even more of an emotional wallop live, as she sang “I want to reach out / But I don’t know which way / And I’ll break my legs / Cause they want to walk to you” with her eyes closed.

Prass prefaced her next song as a 90s R&B cover, cautioning that it may be inappropriate but thought the crowd would be okay with it, then played Janet Jackson’s “Any Time, Any Place” back on the keys, as her sweet voice turned sultry and owned the room. The gentle “Reprise” followed, and they closed the set with “Why Don’t You Believe In Me,” culminating in a huge ovation from the audience. Prass’ tour continues this spring, playing dates with Ryan Adams, Hiss Golden Messenger, and Son Lux, both stateside and abroad.

||| Live: Natalie Prass plays tonight at the El Rey Theatre with Hundred Waters and Moses Sumney, and on May 19 at the Troubadour with San Fermin.