Song, by Toad Summer Piss-Up, with Found & Yusuf Azak
Saturday’s gig was, I think it’s fair to say without excessively blowing my own trumpet, fucking outstanding. What fun! There were flowers everywhere – thank you for those of you who made an effort, and didn’t leave me alone to look like a pillock by myself – the music was great and the gin flowed in epic quantities.
The open mic stuff at the beginning was great fun, so a big thank you to everyone who played. We had two lovely songs by Alison and Tom from Aurora Stands in Snow, and then a couple from Scott Renton of Uhersky Brod, easing himself back into gigging after spending eight months gadding about the world (the total bastard). If anything I think it’s probably Scott’s lyrics which make him stand out as a songwriter – has that very Scottish gift of being able to sprinkle his gloom and cynicism with enough wit to make you laugh, but never so much as to make you miss the point.
Next up we had a Jesus H. Foxx/Meursault mix, with an omnichord version of A Few Kind Words, an improvised percussion version of Pissing on Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues, some Pavement and an acoustic version of Matter, the title track to the Foxx’s debut EP. Then we finished up with some most un-Byrons-like acoustic stuff from Ed Stack. Shorn of the thumping racket of his usual drummer Sam, he went altogether bluesier to close out the open mic part of the evening with real humour.
I know gig nights are supposed to be about the gigs, but personally I absolutely fucking love the open mic parts of Toad nights, and the Bowery really is the perfect place for that kind of thing, seeing as there isn’t actually a stage as such.
Yusuf Azak was the first of the evening’s main sets, setting up as usual with just himself and an acoustic guitar. His recorded stuff – two free downloadable EPs available here – includes all sorts of looping and buggering about with things, so you can imagine why I like it so much, but live there is absolutely nothing but his amazing voice and his somewhat amazing way with a guitar. There’s something mesmerising about his voice; it’s almost a surprise to find out that, yes, what you hear on record is almost exactly what he sounds like in real life.
He’s working on an album at the moment, something I will be waiting to hear with bated breath.
Yusuf Azak – Ursa Major
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Found’s set followed Yusuf and was, frankly, stunning. It’s one of the perils of growing a band as you explore a bigger sound: how do you then go backwards and ask some of them just to not bother playing on some songs. In particular the opening two songs of the Found set were just fucking lovely. The banjo is probably my favourite instrument at the moment, and these two tracks were basically Ziggy playing solo on the banjo with just enough accompaniment from Kev and Tommy to add a bit of depth to the sound, and it was brilliant.
But if you’re Found, what do you do? Do you integrate a couple of these more pared-back numbers into your full set at the risk of underemploying a couple of your band members for a bit, or do you take the approach they seem to have selected: to play some stripped-back sets and some full ones and let regular fans explore their range that way. I honestly don’t know what I would prefer, but this was certainly my favourite Found set since the first time I saw them at Fence Club a couple of years ago.
Found – When You Fall (Live)
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So a big thank you to everyone that turned up to make this a most memorable night indeed, and cheers to Ruth and Jane and the staff at the Bowery for all their hard work since November – this was a great way to sign of for a month or so.
Jesus H. Foxx EP?? And why have I not known this is out yet? Well! Once again I’m very sad to not be living anywhere near Scotland (yes, anywhere in reasonable distance). But I console myself that I was that day hearing the National, Beirut, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Antlers and The Duke and the Dutchess. Yeah, it’s the ONLY day I can legitimately brag hahaha. (but shhhhh, don’t tell anyone, I’d have loved to be celebrating with you, dear Matthew, and would have given up all — save Beirut — to be there to listen to Yusef and the rest with ya xoxox)
glad it went well mate. sorry i couldn’t be there.
jesus christ tart you did know about it…..sounds like i missed an ok night (ha ha)…..but i was elsewhere doing other things.
Agreed, it was a fine night, good work Matthew et al. Yusuf in particular was a great new discovery for me.
I really enjoyed Found’s set, but I also like the more danceable sound of the full band – though they were still pretty funky with just three of them… and we did plenty of dancing later on to make up for it
No, I was being genuine, Tom. Tho I’d have sat far away from you :-p
hhhmmmm
Tart, I haven’t started sending out my promo emails for JHF yet – it’s not ready to buy yet and I tend to only go to blogs once things are ready to buy, so as to get as many impulse buyers as possible.
It was a great night indeed, and my spastic attempts at boogying later presumably only added to the hilarity.
Euan – it’s a real shame you couldn’t make it, but I guess I just didn’t give enough thought to the logistical issues of dragging a bloody great piano around just to play two songs, sorry.
You danced too?!? Well then, Beirut be damned! Ha!
Tart, you’d have been in stitches. I do absolutely standard awkward white indie boy dancing – it’s not sexy at all. Fortunately, I think Mrs. Toad and I were well on the way before she ever saw me on the dancefloor.
See, that’s why I bury myself back a few rows in the crowd at a gig… that way when I stalk the band afterward they’ve hopefully not seen me making a fool of myself to their music
But you’re a woman who talks in an exaggeratedly husky and seductive manner – you’re stereotypically obliged to be a good dancer.
Christ, next you’ll be telling me there are black men with small penises out there.
don’t be silly. just one of these things. was gutted to miss out but i’m sure there will be another time.
Note to self: tone it down on the Contrast Podcast… and never tell Himself the truth about the Others
Salt in the wounds, Matthew. Salt in the wounds.
AMAZING!!!!!
(mmmmm…salt)
A Few Kind Words sounded brilliant on the Omnichord.
Particlularly the break-down!
i thought JHF already had an ep out ages ago.
My only dance move (I call it “the Buffalo Bill”) is to place one foot behind the opposite calf, to bend backward slightly at the knees, and to use the forefinger and thumb of each hand to pull on one’s shirt in the nipple area to simulate boobies. It’s best performed only in the presence of those whom one trusts implicitly, and who do not carry cameras about with them.
Michael – yes, but this time the release will involve no glitter and actually mentioning to some members of the press that the EP exists.
C&B – Do you wear your John Travolta flared white suit while you do it?
ah right i thought so. good work. its good as well.
Just wanted to say thanks for a bloody brilliant night, I’ve just about recovered now. I’ll miss drinking rum from a tea cup until they open again….
She’s lying. She’s a lovely dancer. Luscious.