Yes, I’ve cut and paste a press release. Yes, you can tell because the people at Three Syllables like using capital letters whereas I’m a big fan of lower case. Yes, this is lazy. Despite this shoddiness on my part I urge you with all my urge to go to this show as all 3 bands are ace. A big thank you to my friend Lily for introducing me to Anathallo, cracking quirky indie, details below. We had two Samanidon albums in Diverse, I bought them both. Gravelly voiced folk for those of you who love Willy Mason. Apparently does buzzard impressions on stage, class. I booked Picture Books to headline Diverse’s Record Store Day gig, I wouldn’t’ve done that if they weren’t fucking brilliant now would I? No is the correct answer.
ANATHALLO
Chicago indie art-pop ensemble ANATHALLO are an absolute explosion on stage – totally impossible to stop watching!! In Europe for only a few dates, and we just got the good news that they have more time for a few UK dates, we hustled super hard to nail this one for you!!
ANATHALLO are the tightest band you will EVER see live, an almost robotic precision. Utilizing a wide variety of instruments, including horns, guitars, drums, piano, bells, and even unconventional objects like chains, velcro strips, stomp boxes, and pipes.
A micro approach to macro ability.
Calm, considered, yet wide-eyed in approach, and coloured by Kaleidoscopic detail. ‘Canopy Glow’, ANATHALLO’s second full-length album (and first for Anticon Records), could be described just the same. It is a lush pile-up of ‘Pet Sounds’ harmony and ‘Sung Tongs’ texture. Imagine if SUFJAN STEVENS, BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE and ARCADE FIRE are all members of the same LSD laced marching band.
Texture and temperament play paramount for ANATHALLO. Due in no small part to ANATHALLO’s multi-instrumentalist might. Creeping, slow, taut moodpieces with choral tendencies. Epic piano-driven modesty to Baroquen beauty – climbing strings, layered voices, crashing drums and darkly buoyant instrumentation.
To be sure, this is up there for gig of the year. Just wait and see what everyone who actually comes says to the ones of you who don’t.
SAMAMIDON
Singer-banjoist SAMAMIDON hails from Vermont and is the scion of a musical family with roots in Appalachia. A contributor to such indie projects as DOVEMAN and STARS LIKE FLEAS, he recorded five albums with his band ASSEMBLY before releasing a debut solo album of traditional Irish tunes performed on solo fiddle. A second full-length, ‘But This Chicken Proved Falsehearted,’ out last year on Plug Research, might be called his first “proper” release, if only because it was the first with a marketing push and a wide availability. Even so, it didn’t move too far from what came before: old folk songs translated to new, modern contexts. And a TEARS FOR FEARS cover.
SAMAMIDON’s new album, the ominously titled ‘All Is Well’ again includes new readings of public domain compositions, and yet it feels like a great leap forward, thanks to SAMAMIDON’s more relaxed approach and the contributions of composer NICO MUHLY, himself a Vermonter. The trio of artists responsible for the record – SAMAMIDON, NICO MUHLY and Icelandic producer VALGEIR SIGURDSSON (‘All Is Well’ was recorded at SIGURDSSON’s Greenhouse Studios in Reykjavik and released on his Bedroom Community label) create a very specific space with his arrangements, which goes beyond simply setting mood and atmosphere. SAMAMIDON’s inhabit their own world, closed off from the rest of humanity. Eschewing the hammy theatrics of indie folkies like LANGHORNE SLIM and TWO GALLANTS, ‘All Is Well’ is an exceedingly private album, designed to usher you in and shut out everything else around you. It’s a headphones album, but not one that relies on studio effects to maintain your interest.
NICO MUHLY’s arrangements prove decidedly more modern, drawing inspiration from the repetitions of PHILLIP GLASS, the drones of MAX RICHTER, and the flutteriness of SUFJAN STEVENS. With his team of musicians working so closely together, SAMAMIDON doesn’t just update the old world to the new, but finds the roots of the new world in the old.
PICTURE BOOKS IN WINTER
Started as an aimless songwriting session in a student kitchen in 2005, PICTURE BOOKS IN WINTER existed as a nameless, directionless entity for two years, gradually picking up members along the way.
In late summer 2007, the 5 members of PICTURE BOOKS IN WINTER decided to book some recording time, quickly wrote some 3 minute pop songs out of their 10 minute jams and stole a band name from a book of childrens poems found on the studio floor.
Cardiff is firmly back on the one’s to watch radar, with PICTURE BOOKS IN MAY already being dragged countrywide to play shows, most recently by our parents KRUGER MAGAZINE who have showcased them to a jaw-dropped crowd for their KRUGER PRESENTS series of gigs.
Watch this space, these guys are definitely ones to track, and coupled with ANATHALLO, will turn out to be one of the finest live shows you’ll see this year.
Ticket information: £6 ADV / £7 Door.
Online:
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/45705
http://www.seetickets.com/s.asp?a=anathallo&p=6806
http://shop.cardiffstudents.com/box-office/gigs/buy/anathallo
In the flesh: First come, first served on the door / Spillers Records / Cardiff S.U. Box Office
IN ASSOCIATION WITH KRUGER MAGAZINE.
