It must be hard being Martha.
Firstly there’s brother Rufus taking an enormous amount of praise for his career to date and of course her parents Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle are music royalty to their fans too. Then you have Ms Wainwright and her brilliantly received debut album. Quite rightly standing outside on it’s own very accessible merit. But there a times when you wonder about the depth of her material and where she fit’s into the dynasty and beyond.
In the ‘zone’ and delivering a song like ‘Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole’ from her debut for instance, she’s a wonderous mix of fragility and revenge. Equally thrilling with sublime covers from Pink Floyd’s ‘See Emily Play and ‘Stormy Weather’ originally from Rufus’ camptastic Judy Garland concert sees the set book-ended brilliantly but the interim is a hotchpotch of new material from her ‘I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too’ album and to be perfectly frank it’s not very good.
The sparser moments like ‘Far Away’, just her and acoustic guitar, work best but the songs aided by the fuller band are very hit and miss. There’s a slickness with the band that doesn’t seem to marry with the singer/songwriter moments and at times this feels like a lack of conviction and passion – it’s a simple fact that on stage alone Martha’s so much more vulnerable and mesmerising and as a result the songs seem more heartfelt.
She still seems at times to be finding her way, discovering her own voice – not an easy task with all the Wainwright history – the moments where she does catch fire are brilliant you just wish there were more of them.
www.marthawainwright.com
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Kyte, Sona Di, Mariposa - Live: 14th Jul 2010
Having seen Mariposa a fair few times I know how inspirational and challenging they can be to ‘get in to’. A cold venue with only a dozen other souls for company only adds to the challenge and tonight for all the intense layering and rhythmic building of their set by the time Holly and Matt are done, their crescendo ringing off the walls, I’m still not quite there. Mariposa’s music I’ve found relies heavily on context, and personal mood where I’m concerned and tonight that bit of chemistry just wasn’t apparent. I blame myself.
Sona Di are a trio who you feel are still defining their own sound. They produce a set tonight which is very familiar to anyone aware of the post-rock bands like Explosions in the Sky or Mogwai for instance and whilst they’re rough and raw and undisciplined – in a good way – they don’t simply ape these bands. Tonight I get the impression they’re trying to break into something different and attempt something new. I’m not sure what that might be and I doubt they’re too sure either right now but the potential is there all the same.
So tonight’s headliners are Kyte a five piece from Leicestershire who have already moved out to a wider consciousness despite very humble and gentle demeanours. The bulk of their set covers their recent self-titled mini album. Time doesn’t appear to be on their side as they seem to rip through the material whereas on CD the songs are given space to breathe a bit more. “Sunlight”, “Secular Ventures” and “Boundaries” are the standouts musically. The sparse crowd whoops and hollers enthusiastically and the band seem genuinely shy in receiving the applause but there’s some great material to come in future so that's definitely something they'll have to get used to.
www.myspace.com/kyteband
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
Sona Di are a trio who you feel are still defining their own sound. They produce a set tonight which is very familiar to anyone aware of the post-rock bands like Explosions in the Sky or Mogwai for instance and whilst they’re rough and raw and undisciplined – in a good way – they don’t simply ape these bands. Tonight I get the impression they’re trying to break into something different and attempt something new. I’m not sure what that might be and I doubt they’re too sure either right now but the potential is there all the same.
So tonight’s headliners are Kyte a five piece from Leicestershire who have already moved out to a wider consciousness despite very humble and gentle demeanours. The bulk of their set covers their recent self-titled mini album. Time doesn’t appear to be on their side as they seem to rip through the material whereas on CD the songs are given space to breathe a bit more. “Sunlight”, “Secular Ventures” and “Boundaries” are the standouts musically. The sparse crowd whoops and hollers enthusiastically and the band seem genuinely shy in receiving the applause but there’s some great material to come in future so that's definitely something they'll have to get used to.
www.myspace.com/kyteband
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
Monday, 21 April 2008
Low - Live: 18th Apr 2008
The reverence paid to Low is something few people might understand, certainly anyone not inside The Sage tonight to witness this rarest of shows might query the worship at least. Low, the trio of Alan Sparhawk, Mimi Taylor and Steve Garrington are so unassuming on stage and beguiling whilst creating such minimal music, so sparse it's paradoxically weightier in expectation.
The 'quietest band' ever tag has followed, even plagued, them throughout their career and as a direct response to this, to losing long time former bassist Zak Sally and perhaps commentating more overtly on the 'noise' of modern life with all it's horrors and doubts their recent albums, 2005's 'The Great Destroyer' and 2007's 'Drums and Guns' saw the amps turned up and buzzing, sampled undercurrents flowing throughout.
It's from Drums and Guns that the backbone of tonight's set is compiled. 'Dragonfly', 'Murderer' and 'Sandinista' stand out as the pitch perfect vocals spar with the visceral music. But it's certainly not the doom and gloomfest any unfamiliar listener might expect, Sparhawk in particular is on jocular form dealing with the occasional request for a 'hit' shouted from a darkened corner. It must be difficult to be held in such high esteem where fans have such a breadth of favourites that you can only cull from the set.
Still there are many songs cherry picked from the many other great albums spanning Low's 15 year career which are included. Seminal album 'Things We Lost In The Fire' gets a good airing, 'Sunflower', 'In Metal' and the ultra minimal 'Laser Beam' are sublime and when 'Dinosaur Act' Kicks in there's a warm glow around the gathered crowd. Other gems include a lengthy version of 'Pissing' full of foreboding and dread and the simply beautiful 'Lion/Lamb' and whereas I could happily sit through a few more hours at least I have to concede to being sated enough and after one encore the sermon is over.
www.chairkickers.com
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
The 'quietest band' ever tag has followed, even plagued, them throughout their career and as a direct response to this, to losing long time former bassist Zak Sally and perhaps commentating more overtly on the 'noise' of modern life with all it's horrors and doubts their recent albums, 2005's 'The Great Destroyer' and 2007's 'Drums and Guns' saw the amps turned up and buzzing, sampled undercurrents flowing throughout.
It's from Drums and Guns that the backbone of tonight's set is compiled. 'Dragonfly', 'Murderer' and 'Sandinista' stand out as the pitch perfect vocals spar with the visceral music. But it's certainly not the doom and gloomfest any unfamiliar listener might expect, Sparhawk in particular is on jocular form dealing with the occasional request for a 'hit' shouted from a darkened corner. It must be difficult to be held in such high esteem where fans have such a breadth of favourites that you can only cull from the set.
Still there are many songs cherry picked from the many other great albums spanning Low's 15 year career which are included. Seminal album 'Things We Lost In The Fire' gets a good airing, 'Sunflower', 'In Metal' and the ultra minimal 'Laser Beam' are sublime and when 'Dinosaur Act' Kicks in there's a warm glow around the gathered crowd. Other gems include a lengthy version of 'Pissing' full of foreboding and dread and the simply beautiful 'Lion/Lamb' and whereas I could happily sit through a few more hours at least I have to concede to being sated enough and after one encore the sermon is over.
www.chairkickers.com
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
Friday, 18 April 2008
Blood Red Shoes - Live: 16th Apr 2008
A succinct appraisal of the two support acts tonight from two gig attending friends - 1984 (Gallic three piece with one tune) Friend 1, "France Ferdinand"; Them Amazing Babies (from Newcastle with no tunes) Friend 2 - mishearing singer "Did he say,'Them Disabled Babies'?". Quite possibly...
So to Blood Red Shoes who keep us waiting an interminable amount of time for no real reason it seems. Fears that they've gone for a few jars around town and had the soft southern shite kicked out of their pretty heads are eventually dispelled though and although they tentatively take to the stage like a pair of frightened rabbits Laura-Mary and Steven soon find their stride. Opening with 'It's Getting Boring By The Sea' one of the catchiest moments from debut album 'Box Full of Secrets' the pace doesn't really relent for the full set bar a few gasps for breathe from the energetic duo. 'You Bring Me Down' and 'I Wish I was Someone Better' keep the tempo high.
Watching Blood Red Shoes is a bit like watching tennis in that your eyes are always darting back and forth as they thrash on the guitar and drums respectively and duel with the vocals. The album's fantastic and live they make even more sense as they manage to make an impossibly loud (metal!?) sound at times. It's a a genuine pleasure they they seem bemused whilst humbly smiling when the crowd claps and sings along. They've got a modesty which will probably be lose it's soft edge over time but right now it's translated into an enthusiasm for simply playing their album to the people who've bought it.
Returning to the stage for an encore they play off the setlist and take requests from the floor. To be totally honest they pair look knackered and it's with a relief I suspect that they finish up and promise to come back sooner than the 18 months since their last visit. Good, can't wait.
www.bloodredshoes.co.uk
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
So to Blood Red Shoes who keep us waiting an interminable amount of time for no real reason it seems. Fears that they've gone for a few jars around town and had the soft southern shite kicked out of their pretty heads are eventually dispelled though and although they tentatively take to the stage like a pair of frightened rabbits Laura-Mary and Steven soon find their stride. Opening with 'It's Getting Boring By The Sea' one of the catchiest moments from debut album 'Box Full of Secrets' the pace doesn't really relent for the full set bar a few gasps for breathe from the energetic duo. 'You Bring Me Down' and 'I Wish I was Someone Better' keep the tempo high.
Watching Blood Red Shoes is a bit like watching tennis in that your eyes are always darting back and forth as they thrash on the guitar and drums respectively and duel with the vocals. The album's fantastic and live they make even more sense as they manage to make an impossibly loud (metal!?) sound at times. It's a a genuine pleasure they they seem bemused whilst humbly smiling when the crowd claps and sings along. They've got a modesty which will probably be lose it's soft edge over time but right now it's translated into an enthusiasm for simply playing their album to the people who've bought it.
Returning to the stage for an encore they play off the setlist and take requests from the floor. To be totally honest they pair look knackered and it's with a relief I suspect that they finish up and promise to come back sooner than the 18 months since their last visit. Good, can't wait.
www.bloodredshoes.co.uk
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
Monday, 24 March 2008
The Rifles, The Maybes - Live: 20th Mar 2008
Opening up for any headliner is an unenviable task at the best of times, the early start, the uninterested crowd and when you're a fledgling band on the road with The Rifles, as vibrant onstage as the fans are off, its a task which definitely sorts the men from the boys. Sadly The Maybes are far to timid to shine one their own merit.
They make it through a handful of pretty standard rock 'tunes' before embarking on a completely leftfield danceable number (a la The Music) that the previous twenty minutes seems even more redundant. It doesn't give me any pleasure to describe them as a schizophrenic band with zero personality worth caring about unfortunately.
The Rifles on the other hand have attitude, desire and and tunes dripping from their every pore and the wherewithal to put it all together on stage. Airing their debut album and a few new songs it's the more familiar numbers which shine of course. 'She's Got Standards', 'Peace & Quiet' and 'One Night Stand' are all particularly sublime as Academy 2 does it's very best to burst at the seams with a vigorously up-for-it crowd - it seems slight to choose a few songs from the set tonight as they are pretty much faultless throughout. There's plenty of interplay with the crowd - indeed the band seem surprised at the devoted reception they're getting - but they're damn entertaining so there's no mystery.
There's some pretty raucous dancing too, the kind which sees the first dozen rows pressed hard against the barriers and gasping for air. It's not often that a gig leaves you this breathless (literally) it really feels like there are bigger things on the verge of happening for The Rifles and seeing them get an overwhelmingly positive response is just the start.
www.myspace.com/therifles
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
They make it through a handful of pretty standard rock 'tunes' before embarking on a completely leftfield danceable number (a la The Music) that the previous twenty minutes seems even more redundant. It doesn't give me any pleasure to describe them as a schizophrenic band with zero personality worth caring about unfortunately.
The Rifles on the other hand have attitude, desire and and tunes dripping from their every pore and the wherewithal to put it all together on stage. Airing their debut album and a few new songs it's the more familiar numbers which shine of course. 'She's Got Standards', 'Peace & Quiet' and 'One Night Stand' are all particularly sublime as Academy 2 does it's very best to burst at the seams with a vigorously up-for-it crowd - it seems slight to choose a few songs from the set tonight as they are pretty much faultless throughout. There's plenty of interplay with the crowd - indeed the band seem surprised at the devoted reception they're getting - but they're damn entertaining so there's no mystery.
There's some pretty raucous dancing too, the kind which sees the first dozen rows pressed hard against the barriers and gasping for air. It's not often that a gig leaves you this breathless (literally) it really feels like there are bigger things on the verge of happening for The Rifles and seeing them get an overwhelmingly positive response is just the start.
www.myspace.com/therifles
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Glasvegas - Live: 18th Feb 2008
So the mood is intense and anticipatory on both sides, crowd and band. The fact that 'Daddy's Gone' has been played ad infinitum on the radio has drawn out the hordes it seems. The curious. It's a strange atmosphere to say the least.
Taking to the stage accompanied by the low rumble of their intro music Glasvegas don't look overawed, of course they're probably getting used to this, and they fire up their guitars welding their noise to that emitted by the PA.
This isn't quite what I was expecting. I thought more bluff pop rock was on the cards. Instead this has an air of threat and contempt. It's a cloud of building squall and dimly lit stage. Maybe I'm wrong, I think, perhaps Glasvegas are meeting the acclaim and attention head on with a hardened front. Or maybe we're being sold a pup by The Man and this is the true Glasvegas, who knows?
It's almost funny to witness the crowd in small puzzled pockets waking up gradually to the tone of the set. The tunes are there of course - the ‘hits’, the aforementioned “Daddy's Gone” “It’s My Own Cheating Heart" most noticeable - and they do stand out like glowing hot coals amidst the embers of the rest of the set which isn’t quite so instant. There’s more than a passing reason to images The Clash hanging out along the M8 rather than Westway – not only in the look, but with the self deprecating, sneering vocal and the social commentary of the the lyrics. Maybe I’m reaching?
It matters not one iota in the end though. We've seen them play and if a clutch of bodies leave perhaps slightly confused as to their true personality it's more than most bands manage. Not a gushing recommendation but an honest to God attempt at saying they had its moments.
www.glasvegas.net
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
Taking to the stage accompanied by the low rumble of their intro music Glasvegas don't look overawed, of course they're probably getting used to this, and they fire up their guitars welding their noise to that emitted by the PA.
This isn't quite what I was expecting. I thought more bluff pop rock was on the cards. Instead this has an air of threat and contempt. It's a cloud of building squall and dimly lit stage. Maybe I'm wrong, I think, perhaps Glasvegas are meeting the acclaim and attention head on with a hardened front. Or maybe we're being sold a pup by The Man and this is the true Glasvegas, who knows?
It's almost funny to witness the crowd in small puzzled pockets waking up gradually to the tone of the set. The tunes are there of course - the ‘hits’, the aforementioned “Daddy's Gone” “It’s My Own Cheating Heart" most noticeable - and they do stand out like glowing hot coals amidst the embers of the rest of the set which isn’t quite so instant. There’s more than a passing reason to images The Clash hanging out along the M8 rather than Westway – not only in the look, but with the self deprecating, sneering vocal and the social commentary of the the lyrics. Maybe I’m reaching?
It matters not one iota in the end though. We've seen them play and if a clutch of bodies leave perhaps slightly confused as to their true personality it's more than most bands manage. Not a gushing recommendation but an honest to God attempt at saying they had its moments.
www.glasvegas.net
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
Friday, 15 February 2008
Blood Red Shoes - Box of Secrets
I’ve been keen on hearing more from Blood Red Shoes for a long time. They’ve been building up to this point, their debut album release. But then there’s that knot in the stomach when the album comes through. The question comes up, rears it’s bloody head…what if it’s not that good?
I’ll tell you now it is that good. But it might not be that apparent on initial listening. Possibly down to the very fact that the album’s been a long time coming and a slew of singles and Myspace songs and labels down the line BRS have fixed a series of delicious pop songs in my head. So I’m approaching it from that angle – I want sardonic, brassy pop, feed me the catchy songs.
The album’s really canny though and drip feeds the new tunes amongst the familiar ones sparingly. Two or three listens and the newer songs like “Try Harder” and “ Say Something Say Anything” which grab you by through on first listen become every bit as catchy and as those better known numbers “ADHD” and “It’s Getting Boring By The Sea” but retain their vibrancy. One slight gripe, and it’s a purely personal subjective thing, I prefer the songs where Laura Mary takes the leads vocals over Steve’s mainly down to her laconic, apparently dismissive delivery. Cleverly knowing and sharp as a tack.
All told Blood Red Shoes are a pair heading squarely and rapidly into the ‘mainstream’ and as one who’s followed their progress with a keen ear and an accompanying whistle “Box of Secrets” is the ideal record to take them there.
http://www.myspace.com/bloodredshoes
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
Paramore - Live: 14th Feb 2008
Due to a problem with missed flights or some such rockstar crisis tonight’s gig has rather neatly been postponed by a couple of days and finds a new home on Valentine’s Day. Fittingly the serendipity of this is not lost on Hayley Williams the lead nymphet with Paramore.
We’re continually reminded that we’ve chosen to join the band on this romantic occasion as she coyly flirts with the mass of lusting teenage hormones in the room, for which they are eternally grateful. You're welcome.
Musically the gig’s a bit of a rollercoaster. There’s a lack of any obvious flow and a few technical hitches threaten to overwhelm the set as the crew get an ample amount of onstage time themselves fixing mic leads etc. But thankfully these issues are treated with good humour by the band and they take it all in their stride.
There’s a comical effect before me stood at the back of the venue as I am – hey there are some young bodies in here tonight and being crushed in amongst that throng would be really inappropriate believe me – anyhow, the effect is, Hayley runs stage left and the crowd veers left with her, she runs stage right and they flock like starlings after the object of their desire. That the first ten rows are predominantly teenage males of an ‘emo’ persuasion should not be that surprising.
Having stormed through ‘Riot!’ and the highlights of first album ‘All We Know Is Falling’ the band exit and the crowd patiently awaits their return to play the hit and duly obliging Paramore come back to bluster through current single ‘Misery Business’. Back of the net. Grandstand finish!
I’m sure that without Ms Williams - sassy Avril Lavigne meets ‘Hard Candy’ Ellen Page - Paramore wouldn’t be quite the draw they are but they are all out fun and the addition of songs chock full of pop-rock hooks they can’t possibly fail.
www.paramore.net
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
We’re continually reminded that we’ve chosen to join the band on this romantic occasion as she coyly flirts with the mass of lusting teenage hormones in the room, for which they are eternally grateful. You're welcome.
Musically the gig’s a bit of a rollercoaster. There’s a lack of any obvious flow and a few technical hitches threaten to overwhelm the set as the crew get an ample amount of onstage time themselves fixing mic leads etc. But thankfully these issues are treated with good humour by the band and they take it all in their stride.
There’s a comical effect before me stood at the back of the venue as I am – hey there are some young bodies in here tonight and being crushed in amongst that throng would be really inappropriate believe me – anyhow, the effect is, Hayley runs stage left and the crowd veers left with her, she runs stage right and they flock like starlings after the object of their desire. That the first ten rows are predominantly teenage males of an ‘emo’ persuasion should not be that surprising.
Having stormed through ‘Riot!’ and the highlights of first album ‘All We Know Is Falling’ the band exit and the crowd patiently awaits their return to play the hit and duly obliging Paramore come back to bluster through current single ‘Misery Business’. Back of the net. Grandstand finish!
I’m sure that without Ms Williams - sassy Avril Lavigne meets ‘Hard Candy’ Ellen Page - Paramore wouldn’t be quite the draw they are but they are all out fun and the addition of songs chock full of pop-rock hooks they can’t possibly fail.
www.paramore.net
www.mekongdelta.co.uk
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