Daphne Rubin-Vega packs Joe’s Pub, a lower Manhattan restaurant and lounge. Accompanied by her pop-rock band, the Broadway singer played an exclusive show on Feb. 9.
For those unfamiliar with her, she is a renowned stage actress that first grabbed the spotlight with her critically acclaimed role as Mimi in the hit play “Rent.”
More recently Rubin-Vega portrayed Magenta in the Broadway revival of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Audiences craved more of the charmed vocalist. On this particular Saturday night it was her material as a songwriter that captivated a playful standing-room-only crowd.
Rubin-Vega’s sound is somewhat eclectic, blurring the lines between your typical pop-rock vocalists. Her raspy voice mesmerizes as she seductively moves to her band’s background beat. On stage her talkative demeanor resembles that of someone who has been a rock star all her life.
Offering up anecdotes before each song, she gave the audience a more personal glimpse into her song-writing inspirations. Her honest, gut-wrenchingly personal lyrics penetrate deep into the mind by her innate ability to capture emotions through writing.
Rubin-Vega performed each of the 13 songs off her yet unreleased album “Souvenirs” as well as a new song in Spanish adapted from a poem written by her brother.
The set included the songs “Never Gonna Be Your Baby,” “90 Miles” and “Broken.”
The singer-songwriter left the bar audience pleading for more. They chanted “Encore” repeatedly until she emerged from backstage. Rubin-Vega pleased her faithful Broadway followers by breaking into an interactive rendition of “Science Fiction Double Feature” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show only to be topped by her signature tune “Out Tonight” from Rent. The unsuspecting audience religiously recited both songs with Rubin-Vega who seemed to love every minute of it.
Although the album “Souvenirs” will remain unreleased due to complications of a label merge, it is available to be purchased at shows and through the “Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS” Online Store via Yahoo.
All proceeds from the album go directly to AIDS charities, which is just another reason to add this incredible CD to your collectio