The Cave Singers – London Union Chapel

The Cave Singers

The Cave Singers are fronted by Pete Quirk, ex-singer of post-punkers Hint Hint, and also take in Pretty Girls Make Graves‘ Derek Fudesco and Cobra High’s Marty Lund. So it’s no surprise that their unplugged folk leanings are taken to maximum amplification, each note, each syllable, each chord reverberating to hearts a-quiver.

Their set at the beautiful, simply astonishing Union Chapel supporting Shearwater is dynamic, rustic, aching, essential and beautiful. Lyrically, the songs abstractly touch on religion and being, vocalised by Quirk’s hauntingly nasal tenor; religion is almost a gleeful recurring motif, and to see the sheer joy emitting from his eyes as he stands in the middle of the chapel recalling, it’s as if he’s playing narrator.

The live percussion ranges from quietly lurking to whip-cracking, the tambourine-fuelled fever of the faster songs having the effect of a desperate frenzy; ‘Seeds Of Night’ is a squawk-fronted exhibit of fine-tuned fragility, ‘Dancing On Our Graves’ altogether more cathartic. The mournfulness and subtlety is almost bespokely tailored to the Union Chapel, each fragment of sound reverberating in and out of the three-piece’s instruments. … Continue Reading

Mumford & Sons – The Cave/But My Heart Told My Head

Mumford & Sons

Perhaps best-known for being in the top 15 for the BBC’s Sound Of 2009 abomination (eventual winner: Little Boots), Mumford & Sons are second place to no one. And certainly not 15th place.

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Make It Better Later – 2

Make It Better Later - 2

Make It Better Later are a York-based band dabbling in ska, alternative and folk, and have been together since 2005. Last year they experienced a change in line up as drummer Steve O’Gallagher left to relocate to London and the band acquired new members Mungo and Yom to become a five piece.

The band has a notable point of difference. To compliment their usual choice of band instruments – guitars, bass and drums, they have a talent in the form of violinist Amy Haynes which creates an added element that makes this band unique and one that will take a great deal of effort to compete with. The band oozes with energy and charisma with a positive vibe that captures and rubs off on their audience. If you like your music moody and depressing then let this be warning to keep well away. … Continue Reading

Tunng and Tinariwen Trio, Edinburgh HMV Picture House

Tunng

March 21st, 2009

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Bill Wells and Maher Shalal Hash Baz – Tipsy Cat

Falkirk’s premier self-taught jazz bassist here teams up with the enigmatic Japanese trio to release a pretty cute little number that does rather have one picturing a slightly sozzled moggy making his way home to sleep it off after a night out carousing – no indication he got lucky but good times for future reflection seem to have been had. … Continue Reading

Emmy the Great and Eugene McGuinness

Emmy The Great's First Love

March 2nd, 2009

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Fanfarlo, Glasgow Captain’s Rest

Fanfarlo

February 27th, 2009

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Ane Brun, London Islington Union Chapel

Ane Brun

February 28th, 2009

Sat in a church as enchanting and perfectly lit as the Union Chapel is only the beginning of what will almost certainly be a spellbinding night of intimate and almost ethereal music.

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Angus and Julia Stone – A Book Like This

Angus and Julia Stone

Like the very first kiss with a new beau, an album’s opening track can tell you all you need to know about the relationship you’re about to embark on.

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The Martin Green Machine – First Sighting

The Martin Green Machine - First Sighting

The Martin Green Machine was founded little over a year ago by accordionist Martin Green for the famed Celtic Connections festival. … Continue Reading