Elle S’Appelle – Live, The Southern, Edinburgh, Saturday 26th January 2008
Like the review of The Felt Tips, this is as much an introduction as a review. Elle S’Appelle hail from Liverpool, which is a relief, in a sense. For some reason, the Liverpool scene seems to me to be utterly moribund at the moment. No matter how feted a band from those parts seems to be I can never develop much more than a sort of positive indifference. The same sort of positive indifference that the world feels towards Coldplay, which leads to the fuckers being all over national radio. The Coral threatened to break that mould, before turning into the new Gomez, and for all the excitement about The Wombats I just can’t seem to get all that worked up about them. If there are better things happening in and around the Mersey I’d love to know about them, because surely it can’t be as bad as it seems.
It is entirely possible that Elle S’Appelle might rescue me from my rather embarrassing discord with the city however. Their bright, energetic pop songs are an absolute joy, and superlative single Little Flame is a highly recommended little treat for a dismal January night. Moshi Moshi (home to Toad favourites The Wave Pictures) released their single Little Flame last year, and it sold out pretty much immediately. You can still get digital copies from the Moshi Moshi shop however, and I suggest you hop to it.
How does their bass/keys/drums sound translate to a live setting then? Well it was bloody hard to tell, to be honest. the Southern is a pub, not a venue and the sound was awful. I doubt there was much anyone could have done about it – it’s a lovely bar, it’s just not designed to be a venue - but it didn’t help the performance. They certainly played well enough, and the energy in the music was in clear evidence in their live show, so I will most definitely be purchasing any upcoming releases. Fortunately, having heard them on record I was able to interpret a little, and it sounds like their other material is pretty good, which is promising.
Their music is heavily dependent on the sprightly, choppy vocal interplay between Lucy and Andy (don’t know their surnames, so don’t ask) and you just couldn’t make out what they were singing. They were nice people too and chatted back to a silent audience cheerfully enough between songs. We weren’t ignoring you, guys, we just couldn’t understand what you were saying. So I will wait for either a bigger gig or a new record to renew my acquaintance with Elle S’Appelle’s music. But I will most certainly be there when they next make an appearance.
Elle S’Appelle – She Sells Sea Shells
Elle S’Appelle – Everybody Needs Good Neighbours
You’re on a real roll with gigs at the moment, aren’t you? I feel slightly jealous, then I have to remind myself I’ve got other things to do now…
Still, good to hear the Edinburgh gig scene isn’t as moribund as you once suggested.
It’s either getting better or I am getting better at sniffing them out. Another one tonight and possibly a couple more before the week is out. I won’t keep this up indefinitely – I’d be divorced for starters – but it’s a definitely a wee good spell for this kind of thing. This lot are good too, which makes all the leg work worthwhile.
Sorry I missed this.
The Southern is terrible sound-wise, but (because of whatever deal they have for promoters) it means they can get away with not having to charge on the door, and I think Spitfires use it for this reason alone.
(Though personally, I’d rather part with a few quid to hear it through a decent PA and maybe even to see what’s happening on stage.)
Well that does make sense. I know it’s hard to blame anyone in a city that desperately needs the Spitfires lads, and it was great to a/ see them and b/ get in for nothing. The Southern is a nice pub too, it’s just a bit hard on the band though. Mind you, I guess it’s either that or a potentially half-empty cellar somewhere.
Or a hippy-infested cafe.
(shudder).
I am a closet hippy myself, so a bunch of idealistic, silly hippies is something I actually admire more than a brewery run pub trying to cash in on this trend for live music they heard about from their marketing department, like anything Tennents-related seems to be.
I don’t exactly fit in there, but I don’t mind the Forest Cafe lot at all. Let’s face it, we’re better of with that lot than we ever would be with another Scream pub or lifestyle bar or whatever else would depressingly end up springing up in its place.
Don’t get me wrong – I like the Forest cafe in theory. I’m reassured that a place like that exists, and would be very disappointed if it fell prey to the ongoing march of homogenous consumerism.
But as a venue, frankly, it sucks. I’ve seen so many gigs there were it feels like you’re the only person in the room paying attention. And few things annoy me more.
I really liked them and didn’t notice the sound all that much to be honest – but i’m a regular at the Southern so have probably got used to the tinnyness. plus,i was most definitely pissed.
Broken Records Thursday night at The Caves? If so i’ll be there pen in hand, as ever.
B
Yes most definitely going to that one. I gave you a bit of a shout-out in my podcast this week actually, for that brilliant Gerry Mitchell album. Fancy a pint at the show?
aww shucks. i’ll check it out when i have a minute to myself. pint sounds good. doors at 10 or something i believe. B
PS I have a spare Gerry Mitchell LP (post problems with first PR copy so ended up with two!) so if you know anyone who wants a gleaming new one…
Interesting comment on the Liverpool scene – I’m slightly out of it as I live in Stockport, but I have a great affection for music that comes from there as it’s my home town.
What is a scene after all? – I know there are a few good bands popping up – Elle S’Apelle you’ve rightly picked out. I also like what I’ve heard of 28 Costumes, Voo and The Bo-Weevils.
plus… my favourite band in the whole world right now are Hot Club de Paris. I think they are really different, inventive, funny and clever and put loads into their gigs and are lovely lads. The second album ‘Live at Dead Lake’ has just been mastered and all that and is out very soon I believe.
Ah excellent, I’ve not heard of any of them bar HCdP, whom I love live, but I have to confess I wasn’t that enamoured with the CD.
And, Billy – aye I do: me! Beats the shite out of crappy 192KBps mp3s that’s for sure.
Good description; good sound. Thanks for the intro.