Fence Homegame – The Singleman Affair
For the next week or so I will be reviewing a lot of the bands I saw at the Fence Collective’s superlative Homegame festival this weekend just gone, culminating in a big old chat about the festival as a whole sometime next weekend.
I’m starting with The Singleman Affair because they will be playing some more dates in the UK in the next few days – full details here – and I was rather hoping that, as well as any of my own readers who are up for it, some other gig-friendly bloggers like The Indie Credential in Manchester and The Daily Growl and Another Form of Relief from (roughly) London may have the chance to pop in and help spread the word. Honestly, I really think it’ll be worth your while. There are no more Scotland dates though, I’m afraid.
Musically, The Singleman Affair are a little different live to how they are on record. Their sort of spooky country noir sound is hushed and melancholy on their debut release, Let’s Kill the Summer, but live it was full of raucous stomping and darkly suggestive guitar menace. Initally, having loved the energy of the live show, I was a bit taken aback by the record but after only a couple of listens it has really grabbed me as well. The comparisons here are fairly easy – a slightly less country Handsome Family; a more atmospheric Johnny Cash; a more gothic Eels; a less grandiose Willard Grant Conspiracy. They couldn’t have been more tailor-made for the ears of Toad.
Given that I already knew King Creosote and James Yorkston were going to be brilliant, having seen them before, I’d say these guys were pretty much the highlight of the whole business for me, coming out of the blue as they did. If you can make any of the dates linked above, honestly, do go – they really were excellent.
The Singleman Affair – Dragonflies to Find
The Singleman Affair – Eyelids in Light
The Singleman Affair – Sun in Your Eyes
this post is why i love yer blog, toad …. the ‘comparisons’ bit is spot on. cheers.
Cheers Mike. I know a lot of other bloggers eschew comparisons, but I think they’re hugely helpful. No matter how much bollocks I talk, if I can place them in the right ballpark for people then hopefully I can help increase the audience for these fellas, because if you like any of the aforementioned bands the chances are quite good you’ll like these lads,
Lets face it, that chances of agreeing with me personally are quite slim, but if I can let you know what area a band is operating in, then that’s a bit closer to having something concrete.
They’re really nice guys too, if that helps anyone. I really want them to succeed!
Thanks for the recommendations. Who knows – I may make it out soon. I’ve had a couple of gig-free weeks due to bloody decorating and some other stuff going on, but I hope to return this weekend. We’ll see..
Look forward to hearing more about Homegame. I’d have been there for sure this year if Mrs Growl wasn’t so big these days. Maybe next year. I’m sure they’re friendly types who welcome small children…
They really are actually. There were a couple of kids wandering about during the gigs, and given they managed no more than a bit of scampering and the odd gurgle in terms of disruption, everyone seemed happy with it. It’s just a really laid back place, and as long as mutual respect is maintained, I don’t think anyone minds at all.
And no pressure on the gigs, of course. Just that given I like virtually all the bands you post I am pretty confident that you’d like these lads.
There are a few similarities to Lincoln, from a month or so ago, for example.
Thanks for the tip, sounds pretty great to me. Would probably have gone down to Islington Mill tonight had we not already had inescapable plans involving relatives and birthdays.
Yes, I knew it was a bit of a long shot, so I wasn’t trying to put any pressure on anyone, just knew you and JustHipper love your gigs, so thought this one might be a slightly underpopulated one you might enjoy. Really nice lads, too.