NVDES make live L.A. debut at Resident: High energy, and cantaloupes

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NVDES at Resident (Photo by Benjamin Montemayor)
NVDES at Resident (Photo by Benjamin Montemayor)

By Misha Scott

NVDES, a quirky Los Angeles-based artist collective, made their live L.A. debut on Tuesday night at Resident to a hip, happy crowd of friends, devoted fans and music industry folks. Early arrivals were treated to an exhibit from local artists and a DJ set by Clayton (also a NVDES collaborator). At 10 p.m., NVDES frontman Josh Ocean took the stage wearing a satin kimono and launched into the band’s high-energy singles, “Don’t Fvck Your Neighbor” and “The Other Side.”

NVDES has a viciously catchy sound — a digital post-punk cacophony of crisp pop beats and wacky samples crashing head-first into your neighbor’s kid’s first rock band. Like what might happen if you played an RAC track over “Blitzkreig Bop” and somehow it actually worked.

This is a precarious formula to transfer to a live set, but NVDES — Ocean with singer-guitarist Madi Diaz and percussionist-singer Sam Van Vleet — got the balance just right. The backing track held its own against the guitars, drums and vocals, but was never overwhelming and the energy was anything but canned. Two songs into their quick but captivating set, NVDES had the crowd jumping and shouting every chorus.

The charismatic Ocean (who also plays in Ghost Beach) entertained between songs with fun anecdotes: “The Other Side” is about an ex-girlfriend who liked to dress him up in women’s clothing before they made out, while “Don’t Fvck Your Neighbor” is, somewhat contrary to what its title suggests, about Tindering while high. Another fun fact: Cantaloupes are the band’s unofficial fruit mascot (explaining the 10-15 melons scattered enigmatically along the bar).

This tongue-in-cheek playfulness permeates NVDES’ act. Despite using phrases like, “artist collective” and wearing knee-length kimonos on stage, these guys don’t take themselves too seriously. Ocean describes the project as, “vibes with friends” that began in 2015 with serendipitous jam sessions recorded in his living room.

After a raucous performance of their new song, “I Want to Make Out at the Gay Club,” Ocean looked slyly over at his guitarist. “Madi doesn’t know this next one,” he said mischievously. “She’s never even heard it.” Evidently, this wasn’t a joke; she learned the chords on stage. They closed out with another song from their forthcoming EP, “Donna Summer.”

After the show, the band hung around the bar chatting with fans and handing out cantaloupes.

They recently finished a short run in Europe, touring behind Baio and performing at several Kitsuné events. Their first EP will be out this fall.

Set list: Don’t Fvck Your Neighbor, The Other Side, I Want To Make Out At The Gay Club, Life With Lobsters, I Give Up I Need Your Love, Unforgettable, Donna Summer. Encore: Fela.

Photos by Benjamin Montemayor

||| Stream: “The Other Side” and “Don’t Fvck Your Neighbor”