Guitarist Nita Strauss is no stranger to the stage, having toured with several bands and artists, including Alice Cooper and Demi Lovato. This time, however, Strauss’s tour was in support of her second solo album, The Call of the Void, which recently released on July 7th of 2023. I had the pleasure of seeing two of the stops on this tour (one as a fan, and one as a reviewer/photographer), the first in Nashville, TN, and the second in New Orleans, LA. Both were amazing shows, but the New Orleans one was absolutely incredible. The energy was unmatched, both from the band and from the crowd. I’ve been to several unforgettable concerts this year, and I can safely say this is one of my favorites. 

Nita Strauss is a legend with the guitar, which is already evident when listening to the recorded albums, but is even more apparent when seeing her live. Her skill is awe inspiring, and even those unfamiliar with the nuances of playing the instrument will be able to understand her talent. Her presence on the stage is captivating, so much so that it demands the attention of everyone in the room. There were several times during the show that she would stand at the center for a guitar solo. Every single member of the crowd was transfixed by her playing. 

While Strauss’s skill is of course undeniable, she also brought along an insanely capable band with her. With Josh Villalta on the drums, Johnny Young on rhythm guitar, Christopher Dean on bass, Katt Scarlett on the keys, and Kasey Karlsen as a vocalist, the stage was packed with immense talent. Not only were they all extremely gifted, it was also obvious that they’re a tight-knit group. Being in a small venue like the Parish Room at the House of Blues in New Orleans allows for a type of intimacy between the band and the crowd that just can’t be duplicated at a bigger venue like an arena. Similarly, the interactions between the band members are much more visible and have a bigger impact. This was clear several times throughout the show, but especially so during drummer Josh Villalta’s speech about growing up forty minutes from New Orleans and how much playing on that stage meant to him, since so many people told him he’d never get where he is. When Strauss rejoined him on the stage, the two shared a kiss, much to the delight of the audience. 

Another heartwarming moment came before the song “Victorious.” Vocalist Kasey Karlsen shared with the crowd how many people had tried to crush her dreams as she was growing up, but she persisted anyway. And now, on her first tour ever, she got to join Nita Strauss as her vocalist. She implored the audience to never give up on their dreams, no matter what. In response, the crowd screamed along to the song. We also got to try on our singing voices during the chorus of “Through the Noise.” Before beginning the song, Karlsen taught us the chorus. As soon as it was our turn to sing, we shouted out loud and filled the entire room with our energy. 

The show, which was sold out and packed with people, was closed with a rendition of Pantera’s “Cowboys from Hell.” Cristian Machado, the vocalist from the opening band, Lions at the Gate, joined Nita Strauss and band on stage to perform vocals with Kasey Karlson. I was blown away by their performance. Both Karlson and Machado’s voices meshed so well. Additionally, Machado’s mix of clean and unclean vocals fit the song effortlessly. It was the perfect close to an all-around amazing concert. 

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to see the show twice, and I sincerely hope I have the chance again for future tours. If you haven’t seen Nita Strauss’s solo show, you definitely need to. The tour may have finished in New Orleans, but be sure to keep an eye out for future announcements!