Since Ventura is not really well photo documented - does it make sense???- what I mean is that we don't have tons of photos of us playing, I thought I could post a few from the show we did in Luzern last year at the Treibhaus with Lem Phago and our friends Parazit.
Talking about the Treibhaus, we're planning to play a show with our beloved doomies, the amazing Disco Doom. The date still needs to be confirmed, but it will be in December. I'll keep you informed.
The very good Belgium webzine Semtex did a nice review about Pa Capona. So this is with honour that I'll post it here:
Ventura: PA Capona
CD released on Get A Life
Our rating: 7 (out of 10)
Ventura is a young Swiss threesome featuring former members of Iscariote and Illford. After a split record with the noisecore band Cortez and a split with the space rockers Disco Doom, the band has now released its debut full-length called PA Capona on Get A Life records. The album comes in a beautifully designed brown cardboard box, limited to 1000 copies. PA Capona caught my attention right away and after more than 20 spins the last few days I'm totally convinced the future looks bright for these guys.
I like the sound of Ventura, that's for sure. It immediately reminded me of some great bands of the grandeur 90s (and beyond) Touch & Go era. Slint, Shellac, Superchunk even today's Pinback: every Ventura song vaguely hints to the richness of these bands. The dirty sound of the bass and guitar are heavenly. The song structures, the singing and the unattended noisy outbursts, along with the occasional singer's screams are equally great. Therefore surely, PA Capona never is boring. In the obscure field in between noise-rock and mature emo, Ventura writes dynamic songs with lots of devotion and inspiration.
Still I'm a bit puzzled as well. It's because of the voice I guess. By times I really like the singer's voice, but then again I'm not sure what to think about it. Some lyrics appear to be pretty shallow and I'm kind of annoyed by them. When Ventura's singer sings a line as "What the fuck is with you people - Why do you have to be - So goddamn - Violent all the time", I'm afraid it sounds a bit over the top and unreal. I mean the song sounds really emotional and true... but these lyrics just don't fit at all.
Oh well, I guess most people don't really take note of what singers are actually singing. So maybe I'm pushing this review in the wrong direction. Because believe me, Ventura sound really good. Their songs are hooky, dirty yet perfectly measured. The band skilfully switches from uncompromising noisy rock to beautiful melodies. If you're in for a sentimental journey back to the indie nineties, get your hands on this album. I'm watching out for one of their live shows.
We are still looking for shows in France for the first week of November, so if you want to be part of the adventure, send us an email to info@vntr.net
We're setting up a short tour throughout France which will probably be at the beginning of November 2006. It's looking good so far but if you, the amazing people out there, would like to give us a hand, if you own a fantastic club or if you know some friendly promoters, send us an email to info@vntr.net and we will be happy to play for you.
In the meantime, here is a french review of Pa Capona from Perte Et Fracas.
Ventura Pa capona CD
Get a life ! 2006
Ventura cesse les splits et enchaîne sur l'album, le premier. Pas question de capituler ! Devise locale de la commune de Savièse que ces Suisses ont acollé sur une très belle pochette cartonnée. Pa capona, cri de ralliement de compatriotes particulièrement têtus, prêt à attaquer les parois les plus hostiles pour décrocher l'eau. Cet album serait-il leur montagne à eux ? Treize morceaux. 53 minutes d'âpres émotions (70 avec le morceau caché en toute fin de parcours). Une tendance générale à se draper de noire. Une sourde colère. Il est clair que la face Ventura n'est pas le versant le plus facile à escalader. Pourtant, la musique de Ventura glisse facile de prime abord. Une montagne qui n'a pas l'air bien sauvage. Pas de vilains pics et de falaises abruptes. Ventura déclare avoir voulu créer ce groupe comme un hommage à l'indie-rock qu'ils chérissent tant (et que leur parcours musical n'avait jamais fait sentir : des ex-Iscariote, Illford et Shovel). Et c'est vrai que leur rock à trois possède une touche de classicisme et des mélodies aisées à capter, avec suffisamment de virilité pour ne pas faiblir dans des passages difficiles, des décrochages où l'ivresse du vertige se fait sentir avant qu'une brusque bourrasque ne vous remette dans le sens de la montée. Mais c'est la faille qui nous guette. Plus on s'en approche et plus cette montagne abordable décèle en son sein des malaises, des fêlures, une noirceur sous-jacente, une mélancolie qui devient continue, sale brouillard qui ne se dissipe jamais. Ventura navigue entre traumatismes post-Slint et Bitch Magnet et un indie-rock enlevé avec une basse bien lourde et des explosions de guitare saturée pour la dimension noise. Ils ont su créer une ambiance personnelle à base de germes connus. Une nonchalance, une fragilité, toujours sur l'équilibre avec la gravité et quelque chose de rêche et douloureux. Des écoutes répétées qui révèlent son lot de richesse, essayer encore et encore et l'eau n'est pas loin d'être au bout du chemin.
SKX (28/07/2006)
