Biography
pastel vespa
Discover all the shades of Pastel Vespa. Imagine a Latin blonde with the charm of Judith Durham and the silky voice of Claudine Longet surrounded by musical maestros that could be re-incarnations of Bacharach, Jobim or Tony Hatch. Think of a cabaret star from Australia, a real Queen of Easy Listening, a groovy and cheesy Shirley Bassey. OK? Then put the best bossa nova and easy listening moods and camp cover versions of hits by The Sex Pistols, Astrud Gilberto, Kiss, Chumbawamba, Ian Durie or Alanis Morrissette. This is The Experience.
Enjoy the unique sounds of Pastel Vespa . . . Exotica? Lounge pop? Mambo Pop? Anarchy Cha-cha? Odd kind of nostalgia? Time for action. “I first heard Pastel Vespasing at The Lido. Or was it The Sands? Perhaps it was in a dream? No matter, what is important is hearing Pastel Vespasing. To do so is to instantly replace everything that was ever mundane in your life with a world of colour, beauty and love. But who is Pastel Vespa? She hails from Brazil, that's Brazil just south of France, west of St.Tropez and a stone's-throw from Dreamsville.
Pastel Vespa is the voice of Spring, a fresh daisy in dappled sunlight, but just as comfortable après-ski after an Audrey Hepburn-style day on the slopes. Sports cars, impossibly long white scarves, knitted daisy dresses. This is the world of Pastel Vespa.
Line-up:
vocals,
guitar,
keyboard,
drums,
saxophone
trumpet/percussion
fiona thorn
Pastel Vespa is Fiona Thorn's own fabulous creation. Pastel is half Brazilian/half Italian and is a child of the 60s. She is famous for her unique Latin/Pop versions of rock hits along with great versions of 60s dance hits. With her hot 6-piece backing band, "the Muchachas", she has played shows around the country (the famous Spiegeltent, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Sydney Opera House). Pastel has released two CDs worldwide on the wonderfully exotic label "Siesta" from Madrid, Spain.
fiona thorn is pastel vespa
Fiona Thorn studied at Melbourne University, majoring in French and Linguistics, and the Sorbonne University, Paris. A lover of languages, she sings in seven. She is the creator of character Pastel Vespa who has toured the world and has recently released the CD L’Anarchie in Europe, America and Japan, and whose next album Takin’ the Back Roads is due for release in September. Pastel Vespa appeared at the Spiegeltent in Sydney and Melbourne in 2003 and was part of the 2004 Melbourne Comedy Festival and 2004 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
She has written many songs and shows including Million Sellers with Bob Downe (nominated for 3 Green Room awards), and Max Gillies Live at the Club Republic, Silly Season and All Het Up with Guy Rundle and John Thorn (nominated for 2 Green Room Awards).
On television she has appeared in various series, including Stingers, The Games, Round the Twist, High Flyers, and Man From Snowy River, and she has sung live on Good Morning Australia, the Midday Show and Denise. Fiona has appeared in many commercials and voiceovers, including Yoplait (French accent).
Fiona has sung with the Ted White Big Band and the Roger Clark Big Band and has also appeared regularly at The Kitten Club, The Night Cat, Bennett's Lane, The Como, The Hilton, Novotel, The Regent, The Hyatt, Le Meridien, and The National Art Gallery. She was a featured vocalist at the 2000 Magnetic Island Jazz festival.
quotes
"Once again you have not let us down. Thank you very much for all of your efforts towards the success of our opening night. The band sounded great and the dance floor was full all night.
"The consummate musicianship, professionalism, versatility and style of your work is always a pleasure. We couldn't think of a more appropriate and suitable way to open our most significant Melbourne Season yet.
"Thanks once again from all of us at the Speigeltent.
"Until next time . . . "
- Brett Haylock, The Famous Spiegeltent (2004)
"a voice to die for"
- the Scotsman
(Fiona Thorn's) "voice could melt butter"
- the Bulletin
"Go and hear Fiona Thorn sing. She's fantastic"
- Melbourne Times
"Fiona is a 'diva' in the true sense of the word, switching effortlessly through musical styles as well as languages. As a showcase for the combined musical talents of Fiona and John Thorn they deliver"
- InPress
