Electrelane, Scout Niblett & The Legend!
The Old Market, Hove, Saturday 14th May
The Legend! start's the nights proceedings and it's safe to say that
this Everett True fronted collective of musicians are very much an acquired
taste. This is evident as the room is only a couple of handfuls of people
are present in the room while they're on stage, with many more maybe
understandably seeking solace at the bar.
Spoken word monologues are laced over a bed of drones, feedback and
atmospheric drum's. It's highly experimental, maybe even highbrow as
several members of the audience can be found stroking there beards.
After a brief interval, Scout Niblett adorns the stage with guitar
in hand, during the set she flirts between using the guitar and drums
to accompany her raw and honest vocals.
Occasionally being joined by a drummer for the rockier songs but most
of the songs are performed solo and with minimal accompaniment.
Scout Niblett often draws comparisons to both PJ Harvey and Cat Power,
as all share similar influences and have taken steps off the beaten
path so often tread by other singer songwriters.
There's a Strong American influence on her songs, elements of Jazz,
Folk and Rock are blended together, if I didn't know better I would
presume that she hailed from a Southern American state rather than Nottingham.
The drum n vocal of 'Your Beat Kicks Back Like Death' with the haunting
line of "We're all gonna die! We're all gonna die!' rings out and
it seems to strike a chord with the audience who are gripped by what
is happening onstage.
This is Electrelane's homecoming show, understandably and deservedly
the room is crammed full when they grace the stage.
Both new and old songs are performed tonight, with the main focus being
on material from new album 'Axes', with crowd favourites generally being
kept to near the end of the set.
Comparisons to Stereolab are often drawn when talking about Electrelane,
as they do share a resemblance to each other, though in the cinematic
instrumental songs I'm even reminded of Mogwai in places. Long atmospheric
tracks are condensed down, in order to keep the momentum flowing and
act as interludes between the more upbeat numbers and rock outs like
'partisan' which are powered along by Emma's drums. The audience gratefully
dance along and look displeased when the both the set and the encore
is over, as the evening ends in a climax of feedback.
By Nathan Westley
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