INTIMATE STRANGER
INTIMATE STRANGER is an international band currently based in Chile. Since its formation by Chilean guitarist Lautaro Vera (Cucsifae, Don Fango, Disturbio Menor) and English/Croatian singer/bassist Tessie S-Woodgate, the band has spent time in London, Belgium and Austin, Texas.
After a year writing songs and rehearsing together with drummer Mauricio Muñoz in Santiago in 2006, they recorded their debut album, Life Jacket. The album blends well-paced alternative rock with effective and lingering pop melodies that recall the song structures of their late 80ʼs indie rock influences, but with a really modern sound. Life Jacket is a collection of stories personifying the disconcerting life experiences and deaths of its haunting characters. ʻFor Annieʼ, one of the singles from the album is an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poeʼs poem of the same name. It’s simple and driven instrumentation back the smooth, melodic female vocals that complete the bandʼs ambience of melancholic indie rock.
The band then spent 2007 and 2008 in Shoreditch, London, playing at all the main underground live-music venues around the capital, including the Rock Garden (which has hosted bands form The Smiths to U2) Bull and Gate, The Enterprise and The Dublin Castle (host of bands such as Oasis, Blur, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs etc…) While in the UK they played a number of festivals and packed out the main venue at LadyFest Festival in Cambridge. They also toured northern Europe with Belgian act Romano Nervoso, which led to major radio play for and ʻIn the Black” and ʻFor Annieʼ from Life Jacket.
In mid-2008 following shows at SXSW, the band went on a Latin America Tour and ended up staying in Chile and began gigging with keyboardist Ismael Palma. They very quickly built-up a large fan-base in their hometown, packing out all the top clubs and music venues. As regulars at Cine Arte Alameda, Bar Constitucion, SCD and Bar Loreto they are now headliners in the vibrant live music scene that has really flourished over the past few years in Santiago. 
They have also been touring around the country building up a strong following in other cities in Chile and Argentina. They have received extensive radio, TV and press coverage, including a review and recommendation of Life Jacket by leading national newspaper ʻEl Mercurioʼ. (“…A singer who is always able to find the perfect intonation and melody and a guitarist who is equally able to compliment and pick out those strong melodies…Intimate Stranger achieve this really well…”) The band was also selected for a major interview in the January 2009 edition of Rolling Stone Chile for the ʻLeading Ladies of Rock 2009ʼ special, with a half-page photo on the inside front cover. The new set up with synths and keyboards has further evolved the bandʼs sound, as is reflected in the their new material.
In March 2010 they released their second album Under, to coincide with their SXSW 2010 Showcase at Maggie Mae’s and a tour of the southern states of the USA. Under is receiving rave reviews, with Revolver writing:
“With front lady Woodgate singing and on bass, Lautaro Vera on guitar, Mauricio Muñoz rocking the drums and Ismael Palma pouring over the keyboard, Intimate Stranger is a complete and talented team ready to intoxicate any listener. Somewhere between the rock and female vocals of the Kills and the inviting voice of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Intimate Stranger tends to break barriers when it comes to labeling them with a genre.” - Derek Lactaoen, Revolver
The title song had already received lots of airplay as it was released as a single, back in November 2009. Both introspective and melancholic, the new songs represent ʻthinking-aloudʼ and contemplation of the self. While keeping with the catchy melodies that characterize Intimate Stranger, sensual and passionate vocals underline the new compositions. The various guitar effects, organs, synths and solid drums create texture, depth and an overall organic ambience on the album, which make up as Karl Nielsen (Head of Marketing at Canal U TV (VITV/Fizz) describes as “a unique and captivating sound”.
The SXSW and US Tour has seen Intimate Stranger grow immensely and in addition to great shows at EMOs and The Parish in March, they were also selected as one of the 20 bands to play the Waterloo Records Outside Stage, actually opening the whole three-day event. The SXSW week also saw them perform on Fox 7, KEYE, ME Television and on the main Austin radio shows. Their SXSW showcase garnered considerable press both in the USA and back in Chile. Intimate Stranger will return to the USA in Fall 2010 to play Austin, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.
TRACKS
From album ‘Under’ (2010)
Moments
Nighttime
Beastie Queen
Under
Gone & Buried
Held
From album “Life Jacket” (2007):
5 more minutes
For annie
VIDEOS
Under
BAND MEMBERS
Tessie S-Woodgate –vocals & bass guitar
Lautaro Vera – guitar
Maurico Muñoz – Drums
Ismael Palma – keyboards
DISCOGRAPHY
Under (2010)
Moments
Nighttime
Under
Held
Beastie Queen
All things pretty
Note to self
Shiny Tears
Little Steps
Gone and buried
Under & Held Single (2009)
Track list:
Under
Held
Life Jacket (2007)
Track list:
Back in the box
5 more minutes
The chase
Life Jacket
Above
I only have eyes for
In the black
Eva
Prospero
Dead dog
Before the tide
