PRESS

02.12.2008
Live Review: Beat Circus; Larkin Grimm; Envie @ Eyedrum - Stomp and Stammer
Envie solidifies their enchanting presence in the Atlanta music scene, playing what will be their last show for a few months, as they’re taking a sabbatical to write new material. Renee Nelson’s voice and songwriting acumen are reminiscent of Siouxie and the Banshees’ circa Juju – a mesmerizing series of arrangements that evokes music at once from all times and places, suspending the listener in a vortex of enraptured displacement. The band consists of newly added bassist Rich Hudson from BOB fame, Sean Moore on drums (who also is a master of electronic composition as evidenced from his own ongoing solo enterprise called Lid Emba), and Keith Lee, an Atlanta scene veteran from King Kill/33 and Liars Club. Their set was flawless, which for them is a predictable given considering the meticulousness of their formidable aspirations to form.

01.2008
Live Review: Stickfigure Distribution January 2008 Showcase - Ohmpark
Envie is a band (or I guess project) that I had been meaning to look into, but never did for some reason. Big mistake, because they were really good. Very interesting art-pop that I thoroughly enjoyed. Sean of Lid Emba was even playing drums. They were probably my favourite discovery of the showcase.

01.2008
Live Review - EvilSponge
After The Subliminator cleared out, EvilSponge favorites Envie took the stage. Envie have become kind of a local supergroup at this point. It is mostly the project of Renee Nelson, who was in American Dream way back when, but joining her are Rich from Black Love, and the guitarist and drummer of Tenth to the Moon. There is a lot of Atlanta indie scene history on the stage with Envie.

They rocked out tonight. I guess it was a relief to finally see real drumming. It seemed that the drummer, who i know was far less than impressed with Killick, played a little extra angrily. They kicked off their set with Still Room, and then played two new songs that i was not familiar with. Both of the new songs sounded great, the second of which being particularly epic, with some fine keyboard work from Nelson. Finally, Envie ended their set with two more tunes off of their debut record, and despite some technical issues (something was wrong with the mic-ing of the keyboard) they persevered admirably. I thought the put on a fun, but short set. Envie are one of our more interesting bands, and i will continue to urge people to check them out.

05.2007
the Plastic Ashtray
Envie
Envie are a US two piece based in Atlanta. The band consists of Singer/Harpist Renee Nelson and lyricist Michael Overstreet, the lp is fleshed out with help from friends on guitar, piano, drums and bass. Opening track ‘Passage’ shows off some string bending indie rock with some really heavy drumming and a really cool Albini style bass sound. The harp adds a strange edge to the sound and Nelson’s vocals are passionate enough to carry off the songs. She reminds me a little of Alanis Morrissette only not so over the top and more subtle (PS I hate Morrissette, but like Envie!).

‘Still Room’ is in contrast another side to their music. Recalling Ben Folds with their breezy piano work and building melodies with shades of Sonic Youth’s Murray Street era work. The loose jazzy drumming and gentle mature to the songs make this a really catchy song.

‘Home Free!’ recalls a stripped down Radiohead with it’s gentle harp work and drumming. Nelson’s voice suitably sweet and showing a real prowess that will make this band stand out. Envie have some really indie rock ideas going on in a more classical kind of sense. It’s hard to explain as you feel like you are listening to a band that could be explosive but keep everything tight and mostly gentle. The production gives this a raw appeal; you sometimes imagine you are in the room with the band.

‘My Amelia’ makes use of violin and some clever guitar pickings alongside accompanying pianos to create great pop. Reminiscant of Kate Bush, Nelson again takes lead with some sassy vocals. ‘Spare Change’ uses some phaser style effects on the drums and swirls around enough to create an interesting introduction until the song takes pace. There is enough drama and melancholic overtones during Envie’s lp to really hook the listener, which is important. Nelson’s harp work is an interesting and unique instrument to use and creates some desirable effects.

Envie are soaked in melody and drama. A very impressive record and one which uses delicate and intricate musicianship to create a mesmerising album.

Pete Stanley 04.2007
Flagpole
Envie
"her songs...feature piano melodies that are creative, memorable and dignified. The jump-up cabaret styling of 'Trapped In Amber' has room to grow, but the cinematic 'Still Room' is incredible. Easily the best song on the album, it begins with a simple but effective piano riff, and Nelson's voice sounds free, happy and certain. It is also this style which I could envision a nearly perfect album being made with her voice and little less-full instrumentation."

11.2006
Aiding & Abetting
Envie
(self-released)

Guest shots on major label albums are often exercises in self-promotion. Guest shots on self-released efforts tend to say something or other about the artist in question. So, that said, Jarboe drops by on one track here.

Yes, indeed, we're talking about elaborate songs--almost art pop, really--and an affected singing style. Not the sort of thing that usually pricks up my ears. Except that Envie does this stuff so, so well.

That's my usual excuse in these circumstances, and I can't find any fault with it. These songs contain all sorts of dramatic flourishes and intense arrangements, but they also flit around simple cores. So, if you like, it's pretty easy to break these songs down to their (exceptional) bare bones.

One of those albums that surprised me. It's rare for an album to grow on me as fast as this one has, but then, that's why I'm talking about it here. Immensely enjoyable.

10.11.2006
PropellerSkies.com - Live Review. (SmooveD)
Seeing Envie live is a treat, because Renee is precision controlled fury. Full review here.

10.04.2006
Creative Loafing
ENVIE, THE SWEETLOVES, GRINGO STAR The mysterious and deeply satisfying music of envie (yes, all lowercase) has finally been captured on disc. Tonight, the fruit of several years' work from the multitalented Renee Nelson is (at last) ripe and ready to be plucked and plunked down into your CD player. As Nelson, a frequent Jarboe collaborator and veteran of at least 1,267 Atlanta bands, joined by Keith Lee (Liars Club), unfurls the delicate yet firmly rocking set, go to the merch table and pick up a copy of the self-titled release. It's a rewarding and challenging listen. The Sweetloves will be there, too. Oh, yeah, A Fir-Ju Well is now known as Gringo Star. Lovely. $8. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. (Lee Valentine Smith)

10.01.2006
Stomp and Stammer - Support our Troops
Led by harpist/pianist Renee Nelson, with lyrics by her whipping boy Michael Overstreet, Envie is an evocative group like no other in the Atlanta area. Their self-titled debut disc ably reveals how the band has solidified and energized its sound in the past couple of years. Intricate and pretty art-rock with a punchy pop undercurrent, the CD will likely appeal to the Kate Bush fan in your family. Jarboe, who employs Nelson for many of her live and recorded projects, returns the favor, appearing on guest vocals for one song here. Release show is Oct. 7th at the EARL. (Jeff Clark)

02.03.2006
From the How to Destroy the Universe Festival w/ Jarboe (SWANS) & Blixa Bargeld (Einstürzende Neubauten) (LINK)

12.31.2005
ENVIE gets a mention in EVIL SPONGE's 2005 Year End Best of Live Shows:
Envie at Corndogorama at The EARL on Thursday.23.June -- It was great to see the classic Envie lineup play one last time. I will miss them... Speaking of which, when the heck is Renee Nelson going to get a new band organized? Read full review for more information.

PROPELLER SKIES - Envie Rocks (08.23.05)
A big Propeller Skies shout out goes to Envie for the link, even though it did take them a flippin’ year to find the Envie concert reveiw. Prizzo Skeezy readers are strongly encouraged to check out thier next show, because they totally rock.

06.23.05
EVILSPONGE.ORG - Live review of our show at the BabyCorn Burlesque
review by PostLibyan:
So my advice to you is this: watch the "What's Coming" list on our front page for an announcement of the next Envie performance, and when you see it, plan to go. Click Here To Read MORE

DEGENERATE PRESS (06.23.05)
Live review of our show at the BabyCorn Burlesque
review by dictator@degeneratepress.com

Meanwhile, a girl was setting up a harp on stage. I thought it might be a bad sign. I feared some low key mopey indie softcore singer/songwriter crap, but when the rest of the band, Envie, gathered together and started playing it was more Kate Bush than Tori Amos.

The lead singer has a pretty voice and a few numbers swelled from quiet to intense. Dreamy stuff that's stirring and simultaneously depressing.

WASHINGTON POST
While on tour w/ Jarboe, Renée got some press in the Washinton Post:

Jarboe and Renée Nelson (05.20.05)
The ordinarily dreary Nation was decorated like a high school gymnasium on Thursday night for the annual Alchemy-sponsored Goth Prom, with streamers stretched across the room and a carpet of balloons on the floor. Amid this cheesy decor -- and the inevitable popping of balloons -- former Swans vocalist Jarboe and keyboardist Renée Nelson flew through a brief but passionate 45-minute set.

Jarboe looked like a Goth version of Cher, with long black hair draping over a flowing sheer dress that provocatively swished around her vinyl panties. But her scanty attire wasn't the only thing that commanded attention: Her nearly operatic voice swelled through the room as she belted out Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" over a simple keyboard-and-strings arrangement. She projected passion without melodrama, capturing a range of emotions from melancholy to anger as she repeated the phrase "I try to remember everything that's lost" (from "Seizure").

Despite her headlining status, Jarboe attracted a paltry crowd in the concert room, as most of the promgoers chose to dance in the DJ room. Unfortunately, the thumping of dance beats could be heard in both rooms and overpowered an a cappella duet between Jarboe and Nelson on the traditional "Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes." Even with that setback, Jarboe delivered a powerful performance -- one that would have been better suited to a smaller, more intimate venue that wasn't simultaneously hosting a dance party a few feet away.
-- Catherine P. Lewis

PROPELLER SKIES
The main reason I dropped in on the festival was to see Envie play. Recurring Propeller Skies readers have heard me mention several times that Envie is really fucking awesome, I recommend visiting the “media” section of their site to hear just how excellent they are.

EVILSPONGE.ORG
ENVIE received a couple nods in EvilSponge.org's Best of 2004 lists:
***From Sparklehonkey's list
LEVINHURST w/ Envie at The EARL - Envie is always great in concert and Levinhurst was a pleasant surprise.
***From PostLibyan's list: LANTERNA w/ Envie at Eyedrum on Sat.31.July -- A relaxing night at Eyedrum hanging out with friends and hearing ambient music. What's not to like?

EVILSPONGE.ORG 08.06.04
review by PostLibyan
The EARL - ENVIE show review w/ Levinhurst and Silence Siren

EVILSPONGE.ORG 07.31.04
review by PostLibyan
Envie show w/ Lanterna @ the Eyedrum

Southeastern Performer - 03.2004
Live review of our show w/ Hope for agoldensummer
This promising night of local music kicked off with Envie, a band whose sound has grown and changed dramatically over the last year. In its previous incarnations, Envie has been a much mellower, ethereal group which built its sound primarily around cello, harp, and piano. Now however, the group has added a more rock-oriented guitar player (3d5spd’s Chris Hoke) and has greatly picked-up the tempo of many of their songs. While Renée Nelson’s beautiful and soaring vocals still steer the songs, the guitar, bass, and full live percussion now take on a more dominant role than they did in the past. Envie’s sound has evolved from its calm and subdued beginnings into a full, operatic style of rock that is original and quite gripping; even with the more conventional instruments coming out into the forefront, the band has nevertheless carved out a very unique niche.
(C. Bargamian)

atlanta.creativeloafing.com - 04.08.04
Sound Board
From the Victorian garb of corsets and long lacy dresses to the group's spooky, chamber goth sound, Rasputina are spiritual sisters of Mary Shelley, infused with a spirit both dark and romantic. Started by Melora Creagor 12 years ago, this cellist-led act veers between lush warmth and chugging electrified crunch with abundant theatricality. Indiana epic rockers Murder By Death plays a set of conceptual and orchestral epic rock. Local five-piece Envie plays an eclectic mix of ethereal drones and icy, organic pop. Fronted by Renée Nelson (the Living Jarboe Band), the group crafts a sound that's too heavenly to be called gothic and too disciplined to be called rock. (Chris Parker/Chad Radford)

Propeller Skies - 03.07.04
Show Review w/ Twittering Machine
Although the vocals were buried in the mix*, it was still a good show. As some of you may know, the musicians in Envie change periodically, with only Renee remaining constant. While all the configurations have featured top-notch local talent, this is my favorite line-up. I particularly enjoy the guitar noises that Chris Hoke adds to the already lush sound.

Propeller Skies - 01.11.04
adventures in east atlanta, part 1: envie at the earl
I went to the envie show last night at The Earl. Envie fucking rules. Even The Beaver managed to stay awake for the whole show.

January 2004
ENVIE received some mentions in EvilSponge.org's Best of 2003 lists:

From Tracer's list: http://www.evilsponge.org/minions/Tracers_2003Lists.htm
***Tijuana Hercules and ENVIE on 30.Aug.03 at The Star Bar. In retrospect, this is still a strange bill. Both bands played with a fierceness that impressed the audience and showed off their different musical styles to best advantage.

***Five Catchy Songs You Really Ought to Hear at Some Point
"Amelia's Dream" by ENVIE. In this case, it's not the lyrics that make this one so catchy. Rather it's the way that Renée Nelson's keyboards interact with the lower drones of the rest of the band. (ed: The song title is actually "My Amelia".)

From Postlibyan's list: http://www.evilsponge.org/minions/PL_2003Lists.htm
*** Top 10 Live shows of 2003:
4. ENVIE and Hubcap City at Eyedrum on Sat.25.Jan. Two unique local bands turning in performances that were classic for entirely different reasons. Hubcap City made me laugh, and ENVIE made me gape in awe at the beauty they created. Fun and enlightening -- what a night!

5. Robert Rich, Lanterna, and ENVIE at Eyedrum on Sat.14.June. Three great sets of quirky ambience. I was, almost literally, in heaven this night.

08.28.03
EVILSPONGE.ORG - Caledonia Lounge (Athens) - ENVIE Show Review w/ Tijuana Hercules & X's For Eyes
review by Tracers:
Click Here To Read

08.27.03
FLAGPOLE - press for our show @ the Caledonia w/ X's for Eyes (from Athens) and Tijuana Hercules
Click Here To Read

07.09.03
EVILSPONGE.ORG - the EARL - Carissa's Weird, Mantissa & ENVIE Show Review
review by Tracers:
Click Here To Read

06.14.03
EVILSPONGE.ORG - Eyedrum - Robert Rich, Lanterna, ENVIE Show Review
review by PostLibyan:
Click Here To Read

06.12.03
Robert Rich's 2003 tour diary - ENVIE w/ Robert Rich & Lanterna @ the Eyedrum
The concert on Saturday goes well, although the Eyedrum Gallery feels a bit rustic, to say the least. The turnout is pretty good, mostly thanks to the local audience for Envie. Their set sounded as if they were struggling with the room acoustics and poor monitoring on stage. Their sort of chamber pop shows serious musical talent, with a fragility that can prove difficult to pull off live.

atlanta.creativeloafing.com - 05.07.03
Music Midtown Live Review
Three cheers for the little guys. Ethereal local act ENVIE played a wonderfully subdued set on the Artist Market's small Cultural Stage...

atlanta.creativeloafing.com - 04.30.03
Critic's Picks for Music Midtown
Sunday, Artist Market Cultural Stage: ENVIE -- Multi-instrumentalists Renée Nelson and Deisha Oliver anchor this moody and emotive chamber ensemble.

02.03.03
EVILSPONGE.ORG
- ENVIE w/ Hubcap City & Sound Doesn't Travel Through Nothing
review by PostLibyan:
Click Here To Read

atlanta.creativeloafing.com - 01.29.03
LIVE REVIEW - Tuner melt - Lee Smith
... ENVIE, the evening's headliner, featured yet another collaborative twosome, the music of multi-instrumentalist Renée Nelson paired with non-performing member Michael Overstreet's words. Live, Nelson's band is an ever-changing cast of friends and associates from some of Atlanta's finest underground bands. Saturday's configuration constituted a supergroup of locals: cellists Diana Obscura (Aphelion, The Living Jarboe) and Deisha Oliver (American Dream), violinist Susannah Barnes (American Dream) and drummer Chris Jensen (Myssouri).

For the keyboard-driven lead-off "Passage," Nelson's vocals were ably augmented by harmonies from Obscura, performing in a supporting role without her trademark theatrics and costumes. Clustered at stage right was a mini-orchestra of strings, with Obscura and Oliver's dueling cellos refereed by Barnes' effects-laced violin.

Nelson and company offered a sonic chamber of subversive yet catchy melodies, steeped in suites of layered sensuality. As in many of her other projects, Nelson gracefully alternated between keyboard and harp. "Home Free" featured all the string players in a tension-building march-time rocker -- bows sawed mightily as Oliver provocatively beat the strings of her cello into submission.

Again ignoring Eyedrum's no cover-song policy, ENVIE's wonderfully soaring reading of R.E.M.'s "Feeling Gravity's Pull" suitably capped the event. When Nelson sang, "You can't do this; I said 'I can too,'" it was like she was speaking for Atlanta's entire DIY underground scene. Thanks to art and music incubators such as Eyedrum, it seems even "Gravity" can be defied.

01.01.03
EVILSPONGE.ORG
post by Tracers (2002 year-end best of):
Five (Semi-)Local Bands I discovered (or in certain case, re-discovered) in Concert this Year:

    The Blue Jays
    ENVIE
    Paper Lions
    The Eskimos
    The Clairvoyants
10.03.02
EVILSPONGE.ORG - I.G. Festival Review
review by Brillo:
ENVIE: Probably the most musically beautiful set I saw all weekend. The addition of drums added grounding to Renée Nelson's ethereal vocals and harp. Props to Renée also for taking a fashion risk with a daringly revealing outfit and a new 'do.

review by PostLibyan:
ENVIE is the side project of Renée Nelson, harpist/keyboardist for American Dream. Joining her are Goth superstar cellist Diana Obscura, and the old "bald surly looking" drummer from Myssouri. ENVIE's sound combines Nelson's keyboards (or occasionally harp) with Obscura's rich cello bowing and the drummer's sparse rhythm, all backing up Nelson's voice. The overall effect was very pleasant and peaceful.

Top 3 Local Bands:
Sharks & Minnows. Despite the difficult venue and horrendous conditions, Sharks & Minnows managed to play yet another fun and entertaining show. They weren't as sharp as I've seen them before, but the skills and songwriting were excellent. I especially liked the cover of Tainted Love as well as new-ish song Overnight Trips.

ENVIE. Not normally the type of music I'm going to see out, the piano/harp, cello, and drums combo really worked for me. All the instruments (including the vocals) played out together in a way that was attractive and compelling. They only played 6 songs, but I'd like to have seen more.

Blue-Jays. They sounded excellent, playing to around 10 people at The Echo Lounge. Despite the sparse turnout, everyone seemed to like their honky-tonk country sound. They've been playing out regular over the last month and it shows.

atlanta.creativeloafing.com - 07.31.02
Critics' picks for Atlantis and IG - Lee Smith
FRIDAY, AUG. 2 - IG MUSIC ART FILM
ENVIE (9 p.m., Earthshaking Music) The omnipresent Renée Nelson (American Dream, Casionova) helms this vessel of pop and ethereal chamber noise. The band often welcomes guest artists to join in on the turbulent yet strangely calming cacophony of classical and pop-informed soundscapes.

atlanta.creativeloafing.com - 07.31.02
Critics' picks for Atlantis and IG - Lee Smith
SATURDAY, AUG. 3 - IG MUSIC ART FILM
AMERICAN DREAM (10:30 p.m., The Earl) David Railey, one of IG's founders, fronts this ragged-but-right assemblage of multi-instrumentalists and scene veterans. The haunting keyboards and heavenly harp of ENVIE's Renée Nelson hover over this incredible string band like a ghost of suppressed memories. The addition of violin to the band's sepia-toned intensity delivers a set of tunes that will dance around in your head for days.

05.13.02
POSTCARD FROM ATHENS
"This past weekend marked the opening of the "Inspired" art show at Aurum Studios just down Clayton Street from our offices. The exhibit has been in the works for some two years and is the result of a virtual dialogue of artists who decided to present their work which was "inspired" by R.E.M. Many of the artists, most of them from Europe, were in Athens for the opening and it really was, as billed, inspired. Some great pieces, some interesting multi-media-all somehow tied to the music of R.E.M. It seemed the whole town turned out for the opening, which also featured an Atlanta artist (hmm...was it "Envy" or "Renée"?) performing harp/vocal versions of "Swan Swan H" and "Feeling Gravitys Pull." Even beyond the work itself, the spirit of the show and the generosity of the artists were abundant and much appreciated. To see more about "Inspired: The R.E.M. Art Exhibition," please click here, and special thanks to Dietke Bergmann and all whose work went into making it happen."
More info here on the official REM HQ website.