Who: An air of mystique surrounds this bilingual singer-songwriter, whose work is tinged with jazz, slow-burn acoustics and psychedelic rock. While still new to Las Vegas, Dama Vicke’s already stirred the scene with shows at Taverna Costera, the Space and the Usual Place.
Backstory: Born in Mexico City, Vicke grew up in Miami, where she absorbed a tapestry of sonic styles. “It’s so multicultural that I got to learn from a lot of countries, like Brazil,” she says. “I started listening to bossa nova, samba, jazz. A little bit of everything.”
As a child, she’d sing and read poetry with her uncle’s band at concerts. Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and The Police were spun regularly in Vicke’s household, and by 15, she was writing music and playing in rock bands. She went solo in 2016, later earning accolades for Best Songwriter from the Miami New Times, and Best Independent Artist and Best Lyrics at the American Tracks Music Awards.
Shining in the dark: Vicke often reflects on venomous relationships and messy break-ups in her music. It’s haunting at times, especially on her 2017 EP Point of Inflection, which Vicke languidly sings through in both English and Spanish. Rather than shy away from the wistful and melancholic, Vicke dances into it, mining the darkness for its arresting impact.
“We look for music that goes with the emotion that we’re feeling at that moment. I don’t do it on purpose; I just use it as a tool to truly release my own emotions. I do have some love songs. Actually, they’re all love songs. They’re just angry,” she adds with a laugh.
That ire comes to life through her visceral music videos, created by Miami-based director Milcho and Vicke’s friends Carla Forte and Alexey Taran. “[Carla and Alexey] are contemporary dancers and filmmakers,” says Vicke, who’s acted in the past. “That’s why we connected so well, because we both like all that drama and cinema. A little bit of darkness in the aesthetics.”
“Point of Inflection” is essential viewing, as is “Te Quiero Mal,” which was filmed in Las Vegas.
Up Next: The chanteuse’s new album with renowned producer Sam Fisher (Lady Gaga, Duran Duran) is slated for fall 2022. Vicke’s single “Elefante” (produced by Agustin Espina) also drops on August 12, and will surely stir up conversation.
“It’s very dramatic and it talks about patriarchy,” she says. “Naturally, it’s coming out at a very important moment right now for women.”
DAMA VICKE damavicke.bandcamp.com, dama.love
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