Calm After The Daily Storm: Viking Moses

A stormy Friday, mentally speaking. But, as ever with a storm, the calm followed, and I was lucky enough to find myself this evening, beer in hand, sighing sighs at one of the nicest gatherings I think The Local has put on for ages.

Arrived at King's Place - this bright, modern venue isn't to my usual dark and dingy taste, but tonight, I find the vast, cavernous, airy space instantly soothing. Going back to their early acoustic/folk roots, The Local has put on a trio of artists that had me overexcited and booking tickets weeks ago. Fortunately, the anticipation didn't kill me and it was well worth the wait.

Rob St John took the stage and picked his guitar beautifully. He has an unusual voice, maybe somewhere between the lovely Ginger Angel, David Thomas Broughton, with perhaps a slight hint of the Karen Daltons about him (if that doesn't seem too odd). He's joined on stage for a couple of songs by Mr Viking Moses himself on piano. Just lovely.

Plays guitar like a dream, likes cats. All good.

This was followed by the usual stunning performance by Birdengine. He has the most amazing range vocally, and a clarity and depth on high notes that I don't hear often enough. And the fella's witty. I mean really funny. The most dry, droll sense of humour. I'm not entirely sure some of the audience get him, but his oddball musings have me struggling to suppress the giggles between songs.

Am hoping the 'cutting heads off dogs' lyric isn't based on fact.

How to better that? Well, let's try a finale that I've been looking forward to for ages. Brendon Massei is Viking Moses, with melodies that tug right at your heart, a voice that melts it, and lyrics that break it. It took an emotional battering by Mr Moses, my poor, little, easy-to-bruise heart - but it was worth the bittersweet pain. Wonderful piano-playing, some charming stories and a winning smile made the most sublime end to the evening - and a truly special rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" to finish, which brought a wee lump to my throat.

Sublime.

And the audience were utterly silent during each performance. Not a fucking peep. It was a joy. Perfect.

After the gig, there's a wander down the road towards King's Cross, chatting with Mr Moses on the way (he's a real sweetheart), discussing his previous trouble getting into the country to play (Customs wouldn't let him in - the idiots - and we were gutted, particularly McG, who couldn't come tonight either - he's double gutted, my poor pal), then into some pub on York Way for a quick nightcap. Saying goodbye, I realised that Rob St. John plays with Meursault! It's a tiny music biz world, it transpires. And then Mr Moses kissed my hand as farewell - creating the swoonlike effect I seem prone to - I'm such a massive sucker for that old-fashioned gentlemanly stuff. Lovely end to a very special evening.

(Postscript: that wasn't the actual end. Oh no, there was more - a bitter end, if you will. Receiving a text from Mr Local whilst on my bus back, I veered from my safe path home to a rendezvous in a Crouch End bar, where my evening nosedived in the most hilarious way. By now, it's about half past midnight. Perched on a couple of bar stools, chinwagging and having a nice quiet beer, we watched agog as some Craig David-ish chap appeared out of nowhere (bit like Mr Benn's shopkeeper) brandishing an acoustic guitar, and then proceeded to play / murder "Wonderwall" R 'n' B stylee. And the whole bar sang along. All, that is, apart from two stunned Northerners, who nearly fell off their bar perches in astonishment. From the truly sublime to the utterly ridiculous in under two hours. Must be some sort of record.)

They agree. It's going in The Guinness Book,

followed by a quick blast of Roy Castle on his trumpet.

Shearwater And Other Birds

An old church is a pretty good place for a gig. Great acoustics, impressive decor, and a sense that something truly amazing might happen (with a helping hand from the Big Rock 'n' Roller In The Sky). So two consecutive nights in the same church (St Giles-In-The-Fields) for two top line-ups was like being in...well, er...heaven.

First up - Andrew Bird. The Brummie and Screwster very kindly bought me a ticket to this show as a birthday present (top gift - beats the shit out of talc or soap-on-a-rope). We met up in The Angel (fave pub - second home) for a pint beforehand. Good job too - no beer in the Lord's house! What? Everyone knows that Jesus And The Gang were quaffing red wine like there was no tomorrow back in the Bible Belt. Hypocrites. But as I can actually enjoy myself WITHOUT booze (oh yessir, I can), it matters not a jot. We got nearly the best seat in the house (best seat - naughty pew. Naughty pew is the back pew in the church, so priest/vicar can't see what you're up to, and you can sneak out easy), but we stood behind the naughty pew, so pretty perfect. Not technically a seat, but good nonetheless.

We'd missed the support, and Andrew Bird came on virtually straight away. And what a performance. That boy can sing, play guitar, play violin and whistle. He whistles like a total dream (well-known fact - I love whistling and my Dad was a great whistler). Loops all of this to make an orchestral sound, building up then paring it back down. Hugely talented. I'm not really too familiar with his work, but I had a great time, and his fans were definitely all out to see him. At one point, though, I was distracted by the homeless guy who'd come into the church, who sidled down the side aisle, then walked right in front of the altar (stage) and stuck two fingers up at Andrew Bird. I just pissed myself laughing.

When we left the church, we went back to The Angel for a nightcap and chat about the gig. As I started to say "well, he was just great and very polished and perfect but...", the Brummie piped up "I know what you're going to say" and weirdly enough, she really did. I was thinking about David Thomas Broughton (AKA Ginger Angel), who also loops his guitar, voice, whistle etc, in such a fascinating, shambolic but beautiful way - much more my cuppa. Less immaculate, more imaginative and exciting. Brummie agreed. And then we chatted about their forthcoming wedding, which gets me overexcited. Aaahhhh, romance...

Getting good value for money at a gig is a real priority in these cash-strapped times, so to see 4 acts in one night for £12 is SERIOUSLY cheap. I think you can safely say that any night put on by Howard & Lucy of The Local is always a bargain. Not just acts/£ ratio, but because they put on quality for your buck, and not just slot fillers. My second evening in St Giles' was spent with Bernie and Kieran, and we were joined at the last minute by Nadine (I'll be doing ATP Nightmare Before Christmas at Butlins Minehead with her in a few weeks - hi-de-hi!). Met up in The Angel (where else) for a quickie, then got into the church just in time to see Birdengine take the stage. And we got the naughty pew this time - result. 

I like Birdengine. Sadly, we missed a stellar lineup by The Local at Cafe OTO a few weeks ago (I was ill, it was a Monday) comprising Samamidon, Doveman and Birdengine. I can only imagine how bloody great that was. But finally I get to see him. And he's funny and odd. Anyone who has a song about spending his summer ripping heads off dogs then sewing the heads back on gets a big thumbs up from me. Greg Weekes of Espers comes on next. Good, but he just doesn't float my boat. So we pop back to The Angel for some whistle-whetting...

On our return, Absentee are taking the stage. I've wanted to see them since I read an article in The Guardian by Steven Adams (Broken Family Band) about them and their new album Victory Shorts. I liked the sound of them (thanks to a witty piece by Mr Adams too - looking forward to seeing him play again soon), so was quite excited. And they delivered. The singer, Dan, has a very deep voice (sigh) - the sort that can shift your last meal in your stomach at a hundred paces. From the stuff I've heard previously, I think they did a toned-down set befitting a church. Top stuff, though. Made me want to see them in a different setting soon.

And last but definitely not least - Shearwater. They have such a BIG sound. Haunting, beautiful stuff. And really very spiritual, which sent a shiver down my spine on more than one occasion during their set. This gig-in-a-church lark really does have a lot going for it. Well done to The Local folk.

By the time we left the church, last orders had been called at The Angel (good, old-fashioned pub sticking to 11pm closing), so I turned down a jaunt to the Crobar (not in the mood for Whitesnake after that folky loveliness) and got a lift back to Crouch End with B&K. Called me old mucker Hawkwind and we had a nice candlelit nightcap in the Queens...and then another in the Kings...well, after such a good night, it'd have been rude not to...