Introducing our column ‘Sounds From the Floor,’ an intimate perception into the ever-evolving, animated, and enigmatic impartial music scene in London. In our second version, we proceed to discover this thriving patchwork by way of two exhibits from late 2024.
The Spice of Life, 24.11.24:
The Spice of Life is a frontrunner for the accolade of my private favorite impartial music venue. Admittedly, I’m not a seasoned traveller, nor have I skilled a list of them to type any form of awe-inducing spissitude. Nonetheless, I’m not a hermit both. I’ve carried out in a handful. I’ve visited extra as an viewers member. I’ve visited much more when scouting for gigs that by no means fairly come to fruition (no less than, not but (who’s to say that the O2 received’t have hosted an Idiotwin gig come, say, July?)). The Spice of Life stands out.
It peacocks out onto the ever-heaving hive of a junction that’s the union of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Highway – an beginner advertising and marketing strategist would, with out a lot as blinking, assess such a place as opportune for footfall, come day, come night time, come weekday, come weekend. Duke via the slalom of vacationers posing for footage by the grizzly façade of ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Little one’, divert away from the subjugating lurch of the hordes outdoors, and duck into the pub, which is strictly that – a nice London pub. However, spy a suggestion shaped within the acquainted glow of LED pink: ‘LIVE MUSIC HERE.’
Camber down the steps, the residual hubbub of the pub upstairs dwindling, and thru the swing of a pair of picket double doorways. On the opposite facet of them, is one thing totally different.
The pub evolves, slowly, however assuredly, right into a hybrid between a homely inn, and cabaret-style seating. Leather-based sofas beckon from corners. Tables relaxation within the firm of three or 4 chairs, equidistant from their neighbours, low orange flames flickering and buzzing atop each, becoming a member of the dimmed lighting of the place to create an inviting liminality. The room itself is cut up into two sections; you enter onto an elevated plateau that’s barely dimmer than its counterpart, a stage about 4 steps down, delineated additional by the balustrades on the very fringe of the higher half. A stage is located on the entrance, backed onto the far-most wall of the decrease half. It’s suffused with a nightfall glow of stage-lights, generally mauve, generally pink, generally turquoise, however by no means over-bearing. Microphone stands relaxation, outstanding, prepared. An upright acoustic piano all the time catches my eye instantly.
It might be an exquisite house for impartial comedy nights.
Idiotwin have carried out at The Spice of Life a handful of occasions now, every present being a pleasure to be concerned with. Substance Gigs (@substancegigs) have marshalled each, tailoring every night time as to greatest profit every act, curating showcases of indie folks, alt. rock, or in any other case, forging an amalgamated viewers who ought to get pleasure from each music from each set in flip.
One thing inevitable with impartial music is last-minute alterations. This explicit gig at The Spice of Life noticed a decreased service, with some unrehearsed cancellations. This isn’t to say that the gig was significantly hindered, or suffered any substantial detriment nevertheless.
Will Rouse (@_willcreative_) is a singer-songwriter I’ve met earlier than. In truth, I interviewed him for Idiotwin’s social media pages; he was a splendidly open, affable individual, who spoke with the thrill befitting somebody returning to dwell exhibits after one thing of a hiatus. To come across him once more, a testomony to him persevering with in such a vein, was a nice shock. Will Rouse, when performing, is an embodiment of the intimacy that suffuses the music of an impartial singer-songwriter. He sings alone, along with his guitar, his voice quivering with frailty on increased notes, his tooth flashing. It’s endearing. I’ve by no means seen Conor Oberst of Brilliant Eyes and Will Rouse in the identical room.
Nightfly (@nightflyy) are an ensemble to observe for those who like enjoyable. The people of the night is tidied away, its sentiments nonetheless reticently cowering into the vertices of the venue, earlier than an enormous band floods the stage, virtually dwarfing the room. A brass part canons out acquainted motifs, or swells with generally heat, generally sweltering harmonies, with the decadent timbre {that a} brass refrain will all the time possess. A drummer pats out grooves, with flashes and fills for seasoning. A extremely competent bassist flings themselves about their fretboard, by no means plodding, by no means stoic. A rhythm guitar erupts into an incendiary solo with the surreptitious flicking of a pedal. The tones of a keyboard mix seamlessly between lead, countermelody, and rhythm. Singers commerce verses like fashions exchanging glances on a runway. Nightfly is at occasions hectic, however they’re undeniably an alluring explosion of sound, particularly in antithesis to the mellow storytelling of earlier than. They’re an announcement by which to finish a Sunday night time gig wherever within the metropolis.
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Cheeky Chicos, 05.12.24:
Elephant and Fortress is an space of London that’s at the moment present process a technique of gentrification, which leaves me with disjunct emotions. Does it make me extra content material to stroll via such an space of London within the bitter darkish of a windy winter’s night? Sure. Does it, concomitantly, exile among the authenticity of the place, forsaking one thing that feels synthetic? Sure. If each of those are to be true, it’s a pleasure to find Cheeky Chicos, sheltered away from a major highway.
Cheeky Chicos is a Mexican restaurant that oozes character, enveloped in vibrant oranges and pinks. Murals are emblazoned throughout the partitions, and vines grasp throughout ceilings lights and spindle throughout partitions, accentuating the institution’s rustic attraction. There’s a buzz concerning the place – it seems like a neighborhood secret that persons are, more and more, doing an terrible job of conserving quiet. Complimentary drinks and provides on meals for these on the visitor lists of performers had been a crafty plus in sustaining the night time’s buoyant environment.
As somebody who doesn’t drink, and as somebody who suffers with allergy symptoms, I sadly can not personally converse to the standard of both – however it all seemed good. Moreover, when drinks are flowing, persons are jolly, and, naturally, having fun with a catch-up with mates, it does pose one thing of a problem for the musician making an attempt to be heard. Nonetheless, if everyone seems to be having a great night time, actually, what’s there to object to?
This was a present of simply two acts, Idiotwin internet hosting the event with help from Kiz and Kaz. The ‘Kiz’ of the ensemble is definitely a good friend we now have identified for a while, and so it was a bit giddying, in the best way that sudden bursts of nostalgia can flummox you, to share a stage with them as soon as once more. Between a plethora of covers, what was actually tangible between the duo was pure synergy; it was one thing greater than the acoustic guitar being handed forwards and backwards between songs.
It was the shared seems to be, the sideways glances, the presence shaped by each. A notable level musically is that of the vocal performances – ‘Kiz’ has lengthy had a spread recommended for its lowness throughout the feminine register, a lot in order that I’ve seen her sing tenor elements on a number of events. Congruently, the heat of ‘Kaz’s’ bassy tones was paying homage to Stephin Merritt’s crooning. As I warned them after that they had completed their set that includes a rendition of ‘Goals’ by Fleetwood Mac, lengthy might they proceed with out inner conflicts like the exact same band. For an act regaling an viewers for under the second time, I want all of them one of the best.
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:: join with The Spice of Life right here ::
:: join with Cheeky Chicos right here ::
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© Frederick Bloy
