New year, new discoveries: Launderette Sessions and The Gentle Good

Harri Endersby

Perusing the local magazines during a recent trip to Brewdog in Newcastle, I came across some gig listings for innovative Durham business The Old Cinema Launderette. Retro-stylish launderette in an old cinema building with live music events? Two very curious gig goers went to try out this concept yesterday evening. A quick search for headliners The Black Feathers found an enticing folk/roots duo. Off we went.

The Black Feathers

I hadn't had a chance to check out the first act, Harri Endersby, however for a relative newcomer she has a good few well-written songs and will hopefully grow into the craft displayed by The Black Feathers. Their varied set (dubbed 'cheerfully challenged' by singer Sian in between songs) was very immersive from the opener 'Strangers We Meet'; that song in particular was extremely emotive.

The first non-classical gig we've attended in many months (so out of practice that I forgot my camera!), we enjoyed a relaxed and friendly atmosphere welcomed by owner Richard and will definitely be looking at forthcoming listings.

As an aside, in the new weeks of 2014 I did something I don't think I've done in a long time: buy a CD from hearing a track on the radio without listening online first. The artist in question was The Gentle Good with his album Y Bardd Anfarwol - a 'folk fusion' (if you need labels) concept disc based on the life and poetry of Tang Dynasty poet Li Bei featuring Western and Chinese instruments. I heard instrumental track 'Meddyliau Distaw'r Nos' on 6Music and was immediately captivated. A fantastic album and definitely worth investigating.

Comments

Pigeon Funk

Notes on a very random purchase. Earlier today I acquired Venetian Snares 'Rossz Csillag Alatt Sz ü letett ' purely on the basis of the language and artwork. Its certainly something different - and most definitely not pop. After a bit of searching: Venetial Snares is, according to Wikipedia, the performing name of Aaron Funk, who seems to specialise in experimental tracks in odd time signatures. Article here . The sleeve notes for this album (whose title is Hungarian for 'Born under a bad star') poses the question: what if, for just a day, we could both be pigeons? Interessant. Apparently this concept (a day in the life of a Hungarian pigeon) is non-typical of Venetian Snares sound, but one could ask, does Mr Funk do 'typical'? On first listening, the sound of this CD mixes classical/traditional Hungarian sounds and breakbeats. but aside from that? Definitely a 'listen for yourself' artist; try the website , fan site or myspace .

Lang Lang: a little bit of stardust in Southam Hall

Lang Lang with Anita Pari Like many National Arts Centre regulars, the idea of a Lang Lang concert sounded fantastic... except that for me the Gala tickets are rather too expensive. As a result the turnout for today's masterclass with young artists Anita Pari (Ottawa), Alexander Malikov (Calgary), and Tina Chong (Banff) in Southam Hall was pretty good. No surprises that there were photographers and a TV camera all over the stage... so much so that during Lang's analysis of Malikov's rendition of Transcendental Étude No 8 'Wild Hunt' (Liszt), someone shouted at the cameraman to move. To my mind they seemed a little intrusive on the performances, but none of the artists seemed to take any notice. Lang Lang with Tina Chong Up first and for me the best performance was Anita Pari with the captivating Ballade No 1 by Chopin. In comparison, Malikov's performance did not have anywhere near as much projection. Final performer Tina Chong seemed

New talent at Southminster

As a follow-on from last weekend's excellent Chopin concert, there is an afternoon of New Artists from the NAC's Summer Music Institute at Southminster United Church on 17th June. Entitled 'Dover Beach and other works for summertime', the concert features new artists Katarzyna Sadej , Emily Nenninger , Drew Santini, Hannah Min, Paul Casey , Karen Kang and Bryan Wagorn. I had the chance to hear Bryan Wagorn at one of University of Ottawa's Concerts at the NAC 4th Stage concerts back in February and thoroughly enjoyed his performance. The proposed programme is very enticing: MENDELSSOHN String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13 MONIUSZKO Sen (The Dream) Prząśniczka (Spinner Girl) SZYMANOWSKI Lecioły Zórazie (The Swans Were Flying) Ściani Dumbek (The Dark Forest) CHOPIN Piosnka Litewska (Lithuanian Folksong) Moja Pieszczotka

PrettyInScarlett

Search This Blog