Miss Natasha EnquistElectro-Accordion Chanteuse

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About / Press / EPK / Music / Videos / Merch Instagram / Modeling / Facebook
/ My Domina Gaze / Contact

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Remembering...


What inspires you? For me, it is family.

I hadn't played a musical instrument for 11 years. I played classical piano as a child, for 7 years with the Canadian Conservatory of Music...and then stopped.

In my early 20's I agreed to go with my Mom in joining Daniel Lapp's "Joy of Life Choir". It was here that I remembered that I loved making music, and that singing was such a great release.

During the winter of 2006 I was in my family's storage room and found my Mom's accordions (12 bass and 120 bass). After being in Daniel Lapp's choir for a couple of years, I decided then that I needed more music in my life, and having a piano in my home wasn't realistic, but the accordion - well, that goes anywhere!! :)

On both my Mother's and Father's sides there have been musicians, conductors, composers, several accordion players, and I think (if the rumours are true) a distant relative was in the orchestra on the Titanic...but don't quote me!

With all these musicians in my ancestry why not continue the music thread!? So, in 2007 I began taking accordion lessons, and picked it up very quickly, like riding a bike. I felt like I was honouring my Mother, and my Grandmother, and my family in general - for supporting me during my childhood with all those piano lessons!

My Grandmother (my Mom's Mom) was always very proud of me, and loved that I played the piano when I was young. I'm not sure if she was aware that I began taking accordion lessons, but I know she would be pleased.


This blog entry is in memory of my Grandmother, Meta Pfluger, who passed away 3 years ago this Friday, April 23rd. She was very strong, caring, loving, and supportive of me. I feel a deep sense of pride seeing how quickly I have come within my performance and musical work. At the time of her death I hadn't even stepped on a stage with my accordion yet. A lot has happened during these past 3 years, and I will be thinking of her while I am performing this Saturday night, April 24th 2010, at the FolkWest Fundraiser.

I spent a good 7 years devoted to a small business in Fashion Design, and continue to be a creative professional, but there is nothing more satisfying for me then making music, with friends, and performing for people and brightening their day. The past 3 years have been testing and difficult on a personal level, but am I ever grateful for diving into the performance world of theatre and music.

I relate this to my Grandmother because I know she would be very pleased. The best part of performing -for me- is having my family and friends come out and support me at my shows. Thank you to each of you. Love, Natasha

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Happy Birthday Camiel!

Happy Birthday to my dear friend Camiel!!!



She's a very funny and talented young lady, a thoughtful and wonderful friend, and a total babe... here are some blogs of hers which you should all follow!

Olive Doggy Blog

Camiel's Hodgepodge Nook

If you don't already know about Smitten Kitten Elvis Pants...then you're missing ooot!

This is Camiel Pell and I's supersonic pet project, please subscribe, and watch often :)



Smitten Kitten Elvis Pant's Youtube Channel

Monday, April 12, 2010

How not to play the accordion, but look good doing it ;-)


Not only can she rock this square-topped hairdo, was a muse to Andy Warhol, has amazing style with her padded clothing, can sing and perform standing at almost 5'11....but Grace Jones can play the accordion - without playing it.



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A quick shout out to my accordion buddies over in Vancouver BC, running the Squeezebox Circle! Check out their great website, showing off a lot of great links and resources for where to buy an accordion, how to care for one, bands/musicians, events, merchandise, the list goes on...

http://squeezeboxcircle.org/

Saturday, April 10, 2010

I love my accordion, but my love has boundaries...


Please people! Stop sending me this video!

I mean no harm, this young man is very talented --- this music just isn't my thing!!!

My love for the accordion....runs deep....through my veins...much like a favourite childhood recipe, your Grandmother's cooking, or the games you would play with your cousins in the field across the street.
I feel like I am honouring my Mother when I play, and honouring my Grandmother, Grandfather, my ancestry in general. It brings in nostalgia that I didn't even know existed for me. It brings up feelings of a past I don't have - yet.

I love the sound of the accordion, but certain specific sounds.

Let's get one thing straight: I love a polka - but only during Oktoberfest.

I love the accordion, but it's not the only kind of instrument or music maker I like to hear. I play this instrument, own too many of them, blog about it, and silk screen t-shirts with accordions on them... so I can see where I have led you astray :) Generally, I listen to a lot of raunchy, synthy, sexy electro/dance/disco... Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, The Cure, The Smiths, Talking Heads, Erasure, Scissor Sisters, Hercules and Love Affair...



You're welcome ;-)

For the accordion, I love hearing French Musette, and anything Eastern European. Party music, full of life and romance preferably. Names I recommend and listen to are:

-Taraf de Haidouks
-Mahala Rai Banda
-Shantel
-Edith Piaff
-Yann Tiersen
-Beirut
-Accordion Tribe
-Motion Trio
-The Tiger Lillies

....to name a few (if you would like more suggestions please message me and I send you a list!)

I recently fell upon these two songs, and I really like the use of the accordion in them - in that way that I wish I had been a part of the recording :)



Pssst... Edward Maya uses bits of Zoe's "Libertango" recording and video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFfmDff78jE



Okay, so these songs are a little bit silly, but I like them. I see this instrument as being full of life and spirit, it has the ability to tell a story, I have an aversion to hearing it play classical music. The classical music just doesn't seem like the right fit for my ears. That's my opinion...

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This has been a strange blog entry, but I realise I should blog more about the music I like, and everything about the accordion I enjoy aside from the gigs I play, or who I have met. I will make a point from here on to post my latest suggestion of music that showcases the accordion.

So with that, I am already breaking my promise by showing you my favourite Depeche Mode song:

Monday, April 5, 2010

Happy Bunny Day!

Happy Bunny Day!



So what's shakin'??
Well, I finally made some of my own recordings recently, with the divine help of my friend Alex Cooper. Please check out the tracks on my Myspace page!

Add me as a friend while you're at it!





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My gypsy band and I had a fun time yesterday playing for Hip Baby's (a fantastic new kiddies store in Market Square -here in Victoria BC) Grand Opening Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza!

It was a very fun gig, the kids were dancing while we played for them, many of them with painted faces, and lots of smiles from the parents as well.





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