“NME Breakthrough: Bat For Lashes – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, 2009”

Hailing from Brighton, England, Bat for Lashes is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Natasha Khan. The Pakistan-born Khan pulls from her art school education and her experience producing multimedia installations when it comes to writing songs. She also cites Steve Reich and Susan Hiller as influences, while echoes of Bjork and Siousie Sioux are heard throughout Bat for Lashes’ mystical indie rock sound. Bat for Lashes’ first single, “The Wizard,” was digitally released by DiS, and issued as a 7″ on Khan’s own She Bear imprint in early 2006. That autumn, with “Trophy” burning up the BBC indie rock chart, the Fur & Gold LP arrived in the U.K. in September. The album was released a year later in the U.S. to much critical acclaim. Bat for Lashes’ ambitious 2009 album, ‘Two Suns’, revolved around the concept of Khan and her blonde, hedonistic alter ego Pearl, and featured a duet with Scott Walker.