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Wild Belle Kicks off the ENCORE Sessions Encore

The ENCORE! Sessions returned to the intimate Le Baron Chinatown on Monday night. The series’ second installment kicked off during NYU Fashion Week with a performance by folk-alt band Wild Belle. The Bergman sibling duo’s combination of Natalie’s soulful voice with older brother Elliot’s Afrobeat-inspired hooks evoke an indomitable 70s glamor that results in a truly sexy sound from both the songs belted out in a heartbreaking blues tradition combined with an onstage presence of aloof elegance. Though the band is technically comprised of siblings Natalie Bergman and Elliot Bergman, the duo performed with a backing band that fleshed out their often Jamaican and surf rock-influenced songs. Natalie—who sultry voice evokes Best Coast at times—handled most of the lead vocals, though Elliot stepped up to the front of the stage to sing on “his one song of the night.”

Touted as both one of “the hottest events on the indie circuit and an immaculately curated concert series,” the ENCORE! Sessions are made possible by creative collaborators ABSOLUT and produced by FORWARD as a medium for artists to hone new material, experiment with songs for the first time, and showcase themselves like never before. Each session, shot at Le Baron in NYC’s Chinatown, is also recorded and produced into a 15 minute video with songs from the live performance and interviews with the band. Season One will include performances by Theophilus London, Friends, The Virgins, Paloma Faith, Is Tropical, Historics, and Little Dragon. Season One episodes are available to watch via Facebook and YouTube.