Bogdana Chivas

“Rock chickery” (to quote Time Out) is a rare affair these days , if it ever weren’t, so it was a delight to hear that French guitarist and singer-songwriter, Bodgana Chivas, was in town for a headline show at Camden Barfly last Wednesday (20th June).

Backed by a super tight band, including drummer Simon Finley of Liverpudlian rock outfit Sound of Guns, she delivered a set that showcased the array of her skills, from funky riffs to groovy licks and high-pitched vocals à la early Cyndi Lauper or Gwen Stefani (while looking like a young Patti Smith), all added up to create a rather well-crafted mixture of Pop Rock with Blues and Funk undertones.

Chivas played a handful of good tunes including the Placebo-esque ‘Superman’ and ‘Gypsy Song’ which she sings part in Bulgarian (that’s where she’s from originally) and in English, as well as her debut single, ‘Great Life’, on which she narrates tales of human trafficking and prostitution over a soundscape which recalls the best of Red Hot Chilli Peppers’s funk rock. All this to a very captivated audience. For my part, one track that was deeply missed from her set that night was the awesome B-side to ‘Great Life’, entitled ‘You Were Right’, which boasts bewitching jiggly guitars and whimsical lyrics delivered in the wise of an Alanis Morissette or a Chrissie Hynde. But enough for comparisons: Bogdana Chivas bring back Rock made on Venus and as she is currently creating a buzz around her, sharing bills with the likes of James Walsh of Starsailor and getting accolades from Dave McCabe of The Zutons, she is slowly but surely planning her UK takeover and will return for a few live dates in the fall. Watch this space and catch her while you (still) can.
‘Great Life’ is out now.