i have the first (of many) northern hemisphere hangovers. no real difference to southern hemisphere hangovers. except for lack of waking up with bread bag/emma/miscellaneous objects in my bed. i feel shocking, but i think its mostly because i've been pushing myself quite a bit. normally if i go to a gig (like i did on tuesday) i'll spend the next day recovering. instead i dragged myself to the V&A and then out to meet my second cousin Freddie. and that's where the trouble started, really. i think appreciation of wine is a family trait.
Tuesday - london gigs are much louder than sydney ones* which lead me to think that perhaps all the smog and pollution makes for ear insulation? or something. anyway. i trotted off to Cargo to see one band that i knew and three that i didn't. breakdown is as follows
a sort of. well. a'capella beach boys? except if that sounds good in your head, you might be a bit disappointed. the main problem with this band is that there's too much going on, but at the same time each song sounded the same - and started in a really jarring way. still the record scouts sniffing round seemed to sense potential and zoomed in on them. if they can tighten their sound up a bit, and maybe introduce some diversity into their songs (gosh, thats a bit contrary) then theres no reason why they couldn't be indie's next big thing. (especially if they continue to wear button up shirts down up to the collar)
the one band i knew! the reason i went tonight! i was a bit worried that this band would take themselves too seriously or something, but they were lovely to watch and even more lovely to listen to. "Strays" was formidable and brooding, "Mysterious Skin" meandering and gentle. OAV remind me of Leonard Cohen when it comes to their subject matter, but their lead singer trips and stumbles over his words with a softness that Cohen doesnt't have. they're a very endearing band to watch. also they get bonus points for having a female drummer.
it's very poor form of me to say this, but when this sextet (i think there were 6 of them. i couldn't really see because the lead singer of everything everything kept standing in front of me.) took to the stage i thought "huh. farmers." and then they played their first song and i thought "huh. this is awesome." i think their music probably sounds better live than on record, but they were pretty great to watch, as every member seemed to play about four instruments each, including ukulele and accordion and cello. the lead singers voice is unabashedly scottish and folksy but the music is like. electric folk punk almost. very very very very good. they deserve to be huge.
intense. very intense and serious, until the lead singer dryly comments "this is the first time we've come on stage to steely dan and we never want to do tha' again". the music is massive in sound and reminded me of coal mines and oil rigs, i have no idea why. it's not indie pop, but Twilight Sad is definitely indie in the true sense of the word indie, that is 'independent" and has its own acidic edge and snarl. it was a little too loud, but that didn't bother me. standout track was "Here It Never Snowed. Afterwards It Did." which has a swirling soundscape and a low growly storyline. other standout moment was the lead singer chiding the drummer for an exhuberant drum roll that followed his "we're the twilight sad" *drum roll* "ach, we're no' fuckin' guns 'n' roses', ay?"
pretty good night, except that london is like fucking purple sneakers all the time, and my self esteem isn't really strong enough for that. you need tits of steel to handle being looked at like you're a colonial. except my new thing will be to say to them "you, you and you. fuck off, i'm having tiffen."
*excluding brmc at the metro. there were aliens dancing to spread your love and their neighbours were screaming 'turn it down!'
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