Kathryn Joseph, Union Chapel, 19.02.2019

A dark triumph in an apt setting

5/5

Brooding. Intense. Emotionally charged. There are many ways of describing Kathryn Joseph’s music, absolutely none of which would be near the lighter end of the spectrum. 

With two albums under her belt – 2015’s award winning ‘Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled’ and 2018’s ‘From When I Wake The Want Is’ – Joseph (not her real surname – you can google why) brought her songs about heartbreak, loss and death to the Union Chapel.  Anyone hoping they would be enhanced in a church setting was not disappointed – this was a fantastic performance from the off.

Dressed in white and sat side on to the audience with only herself, her piano and a wine stand on stage, Joseph stared down the audience almost menacingly while playing. Excellent lighting heightened the effect, with Joseph bathed in colours or cast in shadow, before breaking into a smile as she finished each piece.

Between songs the audience were treated to insights into some stories behind the songs and the occasional burst of humour.  ‘This was song to get my ex back.  And it worked.  Well, he’s a good f*ck.  Not like the previous c*nt’ followed by apologies for swearing in church. Joseph’s between-song demeanour and chat worked as an excellent counterpoint to songs which ratcheted the intensity back up. 

Highlights were frankly, difficult to pick. ‘From When I Wake The Want Is’,’ We Have Been Loved’,’ The Bird’, a version of ‘Mountain’ that you just didn’t want to end were outstanding, and  a brilliantly judged cover of A Mote of Dust song ‘Cracks in the Mirror’ gave this gig goer a tip to check out.

The only shame was there wasn’t enough time for more songs.  A great night of great music.

Luluc at The Lexington 06.02.2018 

Jetlag beaten with a gig that takes off after a guitar mishap

4/5

‘They’re really jetlagged’ says Max Bloom in support band Yuck, as they go through a solid set tuneful songs with appeal to any 90s Britpop / indie fans, which kept the small but growing crowd entertained.

Luluc, who turn the clocks back a few decades (in music terms at least), begin a set of gorgeous harmonies and melodic, wistful songs harking back to easy listening 70s, evoking something between Simon and Garfunkel and First Aid Kit.

Luluc carry a lot of expectation with star producers (Aaron Dessner) and friends in high places. Perhaps due to the jetlag it seems a bit flat, but then about 3 songs in a string breaks on Zoe Randall’s guitar. After a bit of banter with the crowd (‘I knew this was a punk club’ says Steve Hassett, while gently admonishing a ‘smartypants’ heckler in the crowd), things pick up markedly.  Randall handles a couple of songs on her own as Hassett and then an audience member finish restringing the guitar.

Moon Girl’s gentle picking rhythms and swirling sounds was a particular highlight as songs from all 3 albums got an outing, as well as a few stories behind the music.

A couple of new songs get an airing, a result of a Berlin-based festival in which artists collaborate with each other.  While Randall tells the crowd she wasn’t really keen on the process, the new songs sound sharp – punchier drum loops and melody changes – and give the night variety. 

With a self-deprecating encore of their cover of Nick Drake’s ‘Things Behind the Sun’ and ‘Me and Jasper’, this audience member left happy having attended and looking forward to hearing what happens next.

Cloud Nothings, EartH (Hackney Arts Theatre), London, 31.01.2019

Slow start lifts into a riotous night
3.5/5

Rolling into London on an extensive tour, Cloud Nothings brought a burst of indie rock to Hackney Arts Theatre. Armed with an impressive back catalogue of frenetic hook laden songs and plaudits to match, Dylan Baldi and crew opted to play their latest release (Last Building Burning) in its entirety for the first 45 minutes.


It’s a good album, but perhaps the introspective nature led to a bit too much backs to the crowd, building up sounds, and not seemingly too interested in the audience.  This seemed to be further hampered by a scratchy and indistinct sound mix - not that the slamming pit at the front of the stage seemed to mind.


Once the play through was completed things picked up through several rounds of sing-a-long choruses and fists the air to songs like ‘Enter Entirely’, ‘Stay Useless’ and more. The band lightened up, the slamming pit grew in size with ‘I’m Not Part of Me’ ending the main set.  After an encore of 'Wasted Days', everyone left happy.

Old Sea Brigade, The Islington, 29.01.2019

Old Sea Brigade, The Islington, 29.01.2019

Songs to warm the heart on a chilly night
4/5

‘You can go wild to this one’ Old Sea Brigade (a.k.a. Ben Cramer) says partway through his gig at The Islington on Tuesday night – ironically, as anyone who’s listened to his album ‘Ode to a Friend’ will know.  Sweet melodies, downbeat themes and liberal use of pianos and organs makes it far from the most inventive work, but the songs are strong and worked well live when stripped of the layers on the record.

Feelings that the gig might be somewhat one-paced didn’t bother the hushed and reverential crowd. Heading down onto the floor with guitarist Henry for a song ‘in the round’ was a nice touch which worked well in a small venue and added to the intimacy, and there were more than enough warm feelings to go round and keep out the cold – one to watch.

Ode to a Friend is out on Nettwork Records.
Old Sea Brigade is touring and returns to the UK in May 2019.