At what point does homage become pastiche, I have been asking myself recently.  I was thinking of bands like Samamidon, Langhorne Slim and the Felice Brothers rather than this, but it still sort of applies, I think.  Basically this is a series of old covers, performed with affection and just enough interpretation to make them interesting.  Look at the other bands and although they perform orginal material they are so buried in recognisable old styles that I find myself wondering at what point you really can call something ‘re’interpretation.  Just an idle speculation, of course.  I don’t care what you call it, as long as you’re writing songs as wonderful as those three bands consistently manage.

This is more of a precursor to a new Vetiver album proper, which is due out in the middle of February, but it’s very enjoyable nonetheless.  I know there’s an accompanying full album of this stuff which might be too much of a good thing, but I haven’t heard that so I can simply enjoy and gentle, banjo-strewn stroll through this material.  It’s old-fashioned, pleasant and highly enjoyable.  And, whilst it may not be earth-shattering, it means I will pay an awful lot more attention to their new record when it arrives.

Vetiver – Just to Have You

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It’s actually fairly quiet this week, prior to the commencement of the Leith Festival next week, so I may take the opportunity to spend some time with my lovely lady wife and do nice normal bonding things like going for walks and sitting in the garden with a cup of tea. This instead of the more usual and rather less satisfying recent habit of her sitting on the couch reading a book and occasionally looking up at my back as I frantically try and get things sorted for Song, by Toad Records, mix a demo EP for a friends of mine and edit the latest session videos.

You really would forgive the lass for being far, far less tolerant of this sort of behaviour than she is.

Tuesday 27th May 2008: Broken Records & Jyrojets & Root System at Cabaret Voltaire. Cancelled, sorry!
Broken Records? Who? I haven’t seen much of these guys since they started gadding about the country being famous, but this week I will certainly be catching either this show (which is free, by the way) or alternatively their acoustic set at the Voodoo Rooms on Thursday.
Root System – I Know

Thursday 29th May: Vetiver & Adrian Crowley at Cabaret Voltaire.
What I know about Vetiver could be written on the back of a postage stamp, but people I trust (i.e. Bart & Euan who you probably know from the comments section) are very excited about this one, so I’ll defer to their judgment. Adrian Crowley is well worth seeing as well: a slightly broody, atmospheric songwriter who gets lumped in with folk sorts but not, as far as I can tell, because his stuff especially resembles folk music.
Vetiver – You May Be Blue (Live)

Thursday 29th May: Broken Records (Acoustic) & Y’All is Fantasy Island at the Voodoo Rooms.
Apparently Broken Records are bringing everyone except Gill, their bass guitarist who has been given the week off for good behaviour, so acoustic it may be but don’t expect it to lack their customary clatter. I’m intrigued by this set actually, so of the two shows this week I might forgo the free one and pay for this instead. For Broken Records acoustic stuff, try a Toad Session recording of their debut single:
Broken Records – If the News Makes You Sad, Don’t Watch It (Toad Session)

Saturday 31st May: The Byrons & Sara & the Snakes at the Hive.
I love the Byrons: Sam batters the living shit out of his drums and Ed breaks his guitar. In fact I think they’re that ace that I’ve invited them to play the Song, by Toad Records launch night on the 14th June. The recorded stuff is really nice too, but a definite departure from their current live setup which is much more raucous.
The Byrons – Anglais