Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

Independent Student Newspaper Since 1969

The Badger Herald

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Zola Jesus to make almighty sound at Pitchfork Saturday

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Zola Jesus, a former opera singer and Wisconsin native, will rock Pitchfork Music Festival 2011 before embarking on a tour abroad.[/media-credit]

When the name “Jesus” is part of a musician’s stage moniker, they better have the chops to live up to their almighty presence. With a voice that haunts, sounding like it’s seemingly struck from the heavens, Zola Jesus – n?e Nika Roza Danilova, a former UW Madison student and Merrill, Wis., native – is the new kid on the music scene, but don’t think for a second her divine vocals aren’t like those of a seasoned veteran.

This former opera singer has survived two bouts at South by Southwest – a seminal festival for start-up acts like Danilova – and released two EPs last year, Stridulum and Valusia. As a fresh college grad who just turned 22 in April, Danilova has already toured with Fever Ray, Xiu Xiu, and the xx in addition to relocating to the sun-soaked L.A. area. It was also announced last month Danilova will release a new album, Conatus, in early October. So, to say Danilova is “going places” would be a bit of an understatement.

Although we miss our resident rocker whose vocals have been likened to a grittier version of songbird Florence Welch, her success certainly beams hope to the Madison music scene. Her Pitchfork date is the singer-songwriter’s only stateside tour stop before she continues her summer tour abroad, so if you’re yearning to listen to a truly supreme artist, head to the stage for her Saturday evening performance.

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Zola Jesus will be playing on the Blue stage at Pitchfork at 7:40 p.m. Saturday.

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