It would be lazy to write off SAM ISAAC as the latest in a succession of indie-wunderkids springing up left, right and centre from the far-flung provinces of Great Britain. Live, he is perhaps a little less polished than his contemporaries – comparisons to Get Cape Wear Cape Fly or Patrick Wolf have been noted - but there's a clear talent in his songwriting that belies his age and promises great things to come.
Tonight, in the snug of a packed Camden boozer, Isaac is minus backup and sandwiched between two bands whose sound couldn’t be more different to his. The audience has thinned out since opener Tubelord (think White Stripes driven by crazy staccato drums) left the stage. Understandably, he appears a little nervous and not sure what to expect from the crowd.
Following a shaky start/soundcheck, any confidence issues subside when new single "Sideways" gets an airing. Boosted by the song, Isaac regains the composure you'd expect from someone who's played over a hundred shows so far this year [including a high-profile support slot to Edwyn Collins at the Electric Proms]. At times, the song is almost too perfect – a crafted, but formulaic structure driven by a killer melody – and veers dangerously close to territory covered by a million other competent-but-successful indie bands. I’m thinking Athlete, Travis, Badly-Drawn Boy and (gulp) Coldplay.
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It’s the boy’s West Midlands-lilted vocal and the joy with which he delivers this nostalgia-infused run through childhood fields, jumpers for goalposts etc that saves him – and gives the song the wonderfully rusty edge it needs. There’s personality in that voice; a warmth, humour and sincerity that more than matches his appearance (“cuddly and cute”, comments a girl beside me, more than once).
"Berlin" provides further opportunity to showcase Isaac’s vowely delivery, with a memorable refrain that shows “Sideways” isn’t his only trump card.
By the end of the set, he’s got the room in the palm of his hand. Breaking a string mid-song doesn’t faze the kid; he just grabs another guitar and launches into closer, "Carbon Dating". The song comes complete with the requisite audience participation (handclaps) which Isaac announces beforehand, just in case the crowd isn’t sure what to do – but everyone is happy to get involved.
Spirits raised, Sam Isaac leaves the stage smiling and accomplished – a craftsman fully aware of a job well done.
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