SPARKWOOD & 21 are one of the UK Alt.Country’s best-kept secrets, delivering reams upon reams of beautiful noise, heart warming ballads, catchy songs, and some rockin' mandolin action. So it was a nice surprise when they agreed to come and perform at GigInAFlat, a clandestine and low-key series of acoustic gigs that take place in a small flat, somewhere in Tower Hamlets,
London, where the flat owners have very tolerant neighbours.
The musicians are forced to re-arrange their stuff so that not only is it acoustic, but due to a paucity of equipment, they really have to think on their feet a bit (on this evening, Sparkwood & 21 didn’t have a bass drum, so they used their bassist's guitar case instead – ingenious! and it sounded great). All musicians were paid in chocolate, and as much beer they could shake a stick at.
First to hit the “stage” (aka: the area where the coffee table normally sits), was the marvellous MICA, who gave an energetic and impressive performance. Much respect went to these Eletro-Popsters, because word on the street was that they had re-hashed their predominantly Electronica-orientated noise (their image said it all: from the stripy jumpers, Level 42-esque jackets with the sleeves rolled up, to the tightest jeans known to humanity, and mullets and spikes galore), to impressive and convincing acoustic versions of their songs.
Sounding a cross between New Order, and Depeche Mode, but with a sunnier, poppy ethic, they were just brilliant. Plus they have a song with the title “From Russia With Love”, you can’t go wrong with that. It would definately be worth checking out Mica in their more natural surroundings (i.e. somewhere trendy and underground, surrounded by synths and amps).
Next up after much shuffling of bright red school chairs (not ironic décor, just bog standard cheapo-furnishing), a quick change of equipment and the demolition of a box of Roses, were the fantastic MARY EPWORTH BAND. Stripped down to the bare essentials (musically that is, nuddy music is not the avenue being explored here – maybe next time though….), Ms Epworth's striking blend of folk, country and a fair helping of sea shanty, really shone. The quartet's vocal harmonies became the focal point complimented by hints of instrumentation to great effect. Incidently, 10 points to the backing-vocalist/flautist who was literally hanging off the end of a plastic red chair, clinging to a mug of red wine, always good to see.
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The acoustic setup really suited both the band and their music - it all came across much better than when this scribe had seen them all plugged in previously. Another excellent turn paid for, again, in chocolate.
And last, but certainly not least, were the mighty, mighty SPARKWOOD & 21, who were so good that many present were practically moved to tears. Nothing to do with the vast amounts of red wine and beer that was consumed by the punters. Their music is lush, a delicious blend of acoustic, melody-driven folk/Americana/roots/rocky music to seduce the ears, it's just lovely.
Why Sparkwood & 21 aren’t all over the radio/press/world is a mystery, but it’s probably only a matter of time. For those of you out there who have never seen someone play a mandolin behind their head, with their teeth, it’s a sight worth seeing. Ok so maybe there was a little artistic license used there, but there were moments… Their blinding set, which given the circumstances, was quite an achievement, blew everyone away.
The review wouldn’t be complete without a mention to the RaveInAFlat that onlookers were treated to - mainly comprising Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, and the soundtrack to Bugsy Malone, it certainly did the trick. What an evening.
Keep an eye out for info on forthcoming GigInAFlat TM events…
www.ilovemica.com
http://myspace.com/maryepworth
http://myspace.com/sparkwoodand21
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