GLADSTONE RIVERSIDE MUSIC:
SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER 2012.
SYD ARTHUR
Syd Arthur may revel in the music of decades long past but, as psychedelic rock goes, they match the hallucinogenic sounds of modern contemporaries like Wolf People, Black Mountain, Tame Impala, even Making Dens era Mystery Jets - with imaginative, whimsically sweet, melodies. They seamlessly mix bucolic, retro reveries, devastating blasts of precision controlled riffing, sweeping folk, fleet-fingered mandolin work and a musical vocabulary that’s as fluently conversant with world music as it is the time signature twists of Soft Machine. Syd Arthur’s intricate, high-energy live sets, which to date include appearances at Glastonbury and Secret Garden, have resulted in a large following emerging – one that is also burgeoning in Europe as they continue to pick up tours in France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Italy. This is a visceral and truly exciting live band. 'Tuned-in to the arcane wizardry of the Softs and Caravan, yet in step with like-minded contemporaries such as Wolf People and Tame Impala, Syd Arthur are Canterbury's dazzling new sons…' **** MOJO
'Audacious debut reboots progressive rock for the 21st Century' **** - Q Magazine
'It will take something exceptional to be 'On An On' for prog album of the year - Classic Rock Magazine
'Bucolic reveries woven in 5/8 time on mandolin and guitar, flopping back and forth between key signatures and moods like beautiful psychedelic-rainbow fish dragged up on the riverbank of time' - Word Magazine
'Syd Arthur are indeed Canterbury based and have certainly adopted the same penchant for musical complexity...' 7/10 - Uncut Magazine
'Intriguing album of folk-tinged prog. Blending taut mandolin lines with fuzztone-propelled jazz guitar, Syd Arthur create an unexpectedly groovy blend...' **** - Guitarist
'Syd Arthur are sons and heirs of those Canterbury musicians who did sometimes whimsical, sometimes intense things with psychedelic and progressive rock' - The Guardian
'A delightfully assorted collection of songs that seamlessly mixed bucolic, hippie-like reveries, devastating bursts of precision controlled rifferama... and a musical vocabulary that's as fluently conversant with world music as it is the time-signature twists of Soft Machine. That these influences are successfully integrated into their songs rather than merely grafted on as stylistic affections says a lot about the band's desire to hone their craft' - Classic Rock Presents Prog Magazine
THE VAMP
The Vamp are a fierce 7-piece hotch- potch of musicians from across the UK, Italy, Uzbekistan and Poland who've crawled out of the Olympic slums of East London to bring you their Gypsy, Balkan and Turkish-infused blend of rowdy sea shanties and breezy pirate rock. Guaranteed to drive you to the brink of madness.
MA POLAINE’S GREAT DECLINE
Ma Polaine's Great Decline play a highly potent mix of rhythm and blues, country soul with a flavour of gypsy jazz, vaudeville and music hall, all performed with a focused intensity. Beth Packer’s superbly soulful voice, mean blues harp and Clinton Hough’s virtuoso guitar are supported by a superbly tight rhythm section and intertwining horns to produce a truly exciting roots sound.
THE MAGIC LANTERN
Formed above a North London Post Office in October 2006, The Magic Lantern have evolved a unique, transporting sound around the songs of Jamie Doe - inspired by the directness of folk song, the spirit of jazz and the experimental openness of contemporary chamber music.
"Bitter sweet, beautiful music" - Verity Sharp, BBC Radio 3 Late Junction
They are a member of London’s F-IRE collective and were one of the founders The Hectic Eclectic with whom they continue to play and collaborate.
Their debut album ‘A World In A Grain Of Sand’ was released in June 2011 on the label they helped to found, Hectic Eclectic Records, and has been critically acclaimed by Late Junction’s Verity Sharp, Bob Harris and Tom Robinson (BBC Radio 2, 3 and 6 respectively) among others. They are currently recording they're second album which they hope to release early in the new year.
Fused with a mix of emotions but with gravitas and great wisdom there's is a certain Jeff Buckley quality to the arrangements and diction, and a songwriting capacity that, like Joanna Newsom’s, is utterly otherworldly and densely descriptive. Their’s is warm music for lonely hearts. - Folk Radio UK
Web links:
RUBY AND THE RIBCAGE
Formed in 2011 Ruby and the Rib Cage are a five piece gathering serious momentum on the UK indie folk scene that has spawned the likes of Mumford and Sons, Laura Marling and Matthew and the Atlas. Multi instrumentalist Ruby's songs are a patchwork quilt of stories and melodies, enhanced fine playing from the Rib Cage- tales of trodden weeds and helter skelters, shrapnel rust and sea sick sailors, stiff stuffed pigeons and lovers and haters, north wind bellows and storm creators.
Eddie Edwards (double bass), Ellie Garlick (viola and violin), Sam Pert (drums and percussion) and Aaron Brookes (guitar), join Ruby on Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Banjo, and Ukulele.
‘ One of the best bands I have heard all year. Haunting and instantly recognisable, Ruby’s voice is unconventionally uplifting supported by exquisitely composed songs and the accomplished musicianship of her Rib Cage. Captivating and spellbinding, beneath this rib cage beats a pure heart. ’ Sophie McCreddie Nova Music/ The Music League
Gifted with a voice of stunning beauty, Ruby and her band play perfectly composed epically catchy alt-folk anthems that sound like you've had them on your stereo for months- definitely not to be missed.
'Ruby has an incredible voice, truly a thing of stunning beauty. She wraps it around perfectly composed epically catchy alt-folk anthems that sound like you've had them on your stereo for months. Supported by the Rib Cage - a very exciting new band - definitely not one to miss.' Rory Carlisle - Promoter at The Gladstone, London
http://www.rubyandtheribcage.moonfruit.com/
NIC DAWSON KELLY & BAND
Nic Dawson Kelly writes songs from yesterday for tomorrow. Having released his critically acclaimed album "Old Valentine" in 2009, two new records are on their way for release early next year. He's been compared to Neil Young, Ryan Adams, Tim Buckley and described by Q Magazine as delivering "a soulful take on some of the finest folk-blues around", by The Sunday Times as "a visceral and compelling new presence on the music scene" and by The Sun as "one of the most distinctive British voices in years".
www.myspace.com/nicdawsonkelly
THE GLADSTONE QUARTET
Chilean- born double bassist Colin Somerveil is a long time resident musician at the Gladstone,having played with Adam Beattie and the Consultants, Oliver Talkes, Pigling Bland and more recently with Borough Lovers. Colin has established a new tradition at the Glad by bringing a monthly Jazz night to our intimate venue. Some of the best young jazz musicians in the country have performed here in the first 6 months since its conception. From bebop through to contemporary and modern jazz, it has always been a swinging affair!