Monday night at the El Rey Theatre marked the first time Melody’s Echo Chamber has ever played in Los Angeles; in fact, the band’s current tour with The Raveonettes is the first time the Paris-based dream-pop outfit has ever played in North America.

Though Melody’s Echo Chamber is the brainchild of Melody Prochet with the help of Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, he was not present at the show. Instead, three talented musicians accompanied Prochet on bass, guitar and keyboard, leaving the young songstress in charge of synth, samples, and vocals. As a four-piece, the group’s natural chemistry made it seem like they had been playing together forever. The bassist grooved as he plucked his strings, the keyboardist/guitarist/backing singer possessed and angelic voice and ability to seamlessly change instruments during the set, and the other guitarist hit every note as he consistently looked at Prochet, mimicking the energy she emitted. And though comments about the absence of a drummer circulated around the room, the drum beats coming from Prochet’s sampler were crisp and clean, making me forget on multiple occasions that no one was back there on a drum kit.

Even though each musician was proficient on his or her instrument, the focus was on Prochet during the 30-minute set. As the band whimsically meandered through selections from its recently released self-titled debut album, the singer engulfed herself in her music, letting it take control of her body as she twisted and twirled, lifting her arms up above her.

Most of the tracks comprising Melody’s Echo Chamber are sung in English, but two of the record’s eleven songs are in Prochet’s native French, “Bisou Magique,” and “Quand Vas Tu Rentrer.” Live, these were two of the most enchanting songs of the evening. Prochet’s reverbed vocals emanated throughout the ballroom-like venue, and though the song’s words were nonsensical (unless you understood French), her voice acted like a fifth instrument, spiraling with the music.

Before delving into the last few songs of the night, Prochet spoke to the crowd in broken English, expressing her gratitude for touring with The Ravonettes and lamenting that it was one of the last night they’d be on tour together. Before she arrived in America, I spoke with Prochet (read the interview here) and she was concerned with getting her Visa in time. Now, a few short months later, the musician has found herself trekking across the States and winning the hearts of new fans every step of the way.

 

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