Week thirty-seven

Last week there was a distinct lack of singing.  This week the singing was palpable, but right up in my face, reminding me of its power to engage, disarm and garner complete respect.   I think perhaps I'd forgotten this for a while because even though I go to a lot gigs (although not nearly enough recently) they're all at massive venues or in fields where my attention can wander elsewhere in a mere second.
I can't remember the last time I went to hear a musician play without anyone in the room uttering a word and my focus being anywhere else other than squarely on them.

Songs From a Room is a relatively new company that I heard about from a friend. Its concept is really simple: new music from bands and artists that play unplugged for an intimate audience in someone's living room.  At first, I didn't think this was really anything special - nothing particularly innovative but I was quite wrong and the night I went to this week was just awesome.

I was in touch with one of the London organisers; Rafe who gives very little away when you're emailing your request to sign up - obviously each gig is very limited depending on each person's home and by that very nature its all rather clandestine.  Once you're confirmed for a particular night you aren't given the address until the day before and you don't find out the bands you'll be seeing until the night so the anticipation is quite high.

My friend Adrian and I set out for deepest, darkest Clapton the other night and soon arrived to the throbbing hum of life in the hidden corner of an apartment block.  One of the first things I noticed when we arrived was how at ease I felt straight away: everyone seemed very friendly and warm.
After a few introductions, meeting the lovely Rafe and a quick wander round we settled ourselves, albeit rather clumsily in the middle of the floor of the living room and awaited the first of the five acts of the evening.

Jesca Hoop was first up and actually someone I'd heard of (although I must admit I can't recall where).  She appears very wise for her years - like she's suffered a lot of pain. As she began to sing I realised it comes across across in her voice too - its haunting, almost bordering on choral.  And yet she can warble like a songbird - it is quite enchanting.  She was also extremely likeable and funny talking about how we've all thought at one stage about the attention we'd get if we were sick or had some kind of accident, consequently she sang a song called "there's nothing like a broken arm to win your love".  Brilliant.

Jesca Hoop

Next up were The Daydream Club, a pair who were a bit dreamy in both their looks and their songs.  Their style of folk music was very British sounding; a little sad but somehow hopeful.  There aren't enough male and female duos out there, which is a shame, as if singing well together it can sound beautiful.  The Daydream Club are one such duo and only cemented their clear harmony by singing a stunning rendition of one of my favourite Snow Patrol songs "Set the Fire to the Third Bar".

The Daydream Club

As an added surprise and a slight detour from the rest of the program, UK beatbox champion Reeps One stepped up the show in an incredible way.  His skills were just ridiculous. Beatboxers just make my brain melt.

Lisbee Stainton was up next bringing her blend of folk music to the room.  Even though she's English I found her style of music to be very American sounding.  Her songs belong on the soundtrack to a Kate Hudson romcom.

Lisbee Stainton

Lightfoot came next, a band from Washington DC whose music wasn't my favourite as it was bordering a little on country but they still sounded amazing, which is just the thing about watching a band in this kind of tiny setting - you have nothing to concentrate on but their raw talent and its hard to escape you.

Lightfoot

I think my favourite act was the last of the evening; a Glaswegian band called Admiral Fallow whose lead singer, Louis was just utterly hilarious. He was completely dry and deadpan and I think he disarmed the entire audience before playing each song.  Before one he said "this is kind of a new song for us......well I'm sure they're all new for you....".   However, their music was brilliant too - its the kind of
music that makes you see the good in life at that moment and makes you smile - they're in the realms of Stornoway and Bombay Bicycle Club.

Admiral Fallow

I felt completely uplifted from the whole evening: the music was great, the people were great and I think it really did have a lot to do with the fact that it was in someone's living room.  Everyone there was very aware of the fact they were in another person's home and I think that simply makes for a much more social setting than if in a dingy pub.  Everyone was just so mindful of their company and surroundings and shut up when the band were playing - it was just all about respect.

So, Songs From a Room, I salute you and hope you continue to flourish in many cities the world over.

To find out more about it and when the next one is click here.

Very excited, I'm going to the Dogs this week.  Go Santa's Little Helper!