The Repressions
Photo credit: Elise Levitt
The Repressions’ fusion of chemistry
and consciousness creates a hybrid
of an ethereally aggressive, folk/
rock sound. Barbara Dragon (lyrics,
vocals, guitar, graphic art) and Ben
Absurdo (lead guitarist) have a friendship
dating back decades. However, it
wasn’t until they’d both arrived in Astoria
(Absurdo in 2003, and Dragon in
2010) that they began their musical
marriage. Rounded out by third member,
Nate Lay (guitarist, vocals, graphic
art), The Repressions’ music is a great
deal more than the sum of its parts.
Describing their melding of
spiritual, political, punk and harmony
is no easy task. Not even for
Dragon who has settled on “art
therapy/funk/rock/vaudeville” to
describe their style – “Although
we hear the words ‘punk’ and ‘folk’
quite often as well,” she added.
Nate Lay helps to describe the
evolution of The Repressions’ musical
style.
“Since I have joined the band,
our collaborations have become
more harmonically centered, with
Original artwork by Nate Lay
34 MARCH 2 0 1 8
ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT