Scene Report: Bristol Summer Round-up
By: Sian Norris
Hello everyone! I am writing this on my birthday, and firstly I would like to apologise for being so absent all summer. With the trips to the countryside and the Sexy Bitch nuptials (excellent soul band included) it has been difficult to go out anywhere, but now autumn is here and I am back on the 'what's on in Bristol' scene, I can bring some fresh news.
I'll firstly cast my mind back to 1st August, when Start the Bus opened its doors to Bonde de Role - new line up included. I was really looking forward to seeing how they had changed with the new line up of two boys and two new girls, but unfortunately it wasn't to be - I had to go to the Sexy Bitch wedding the next day and couldn't justify staying really late. Nothing to complain about however thanks to excellent support dj-ing from Richard Royale, accompanied by an excellent MC Bubbz. Richard Royale has swiftly become one of my favourite djs in town lately, seamless mixing with fat juicy beats. He got Big Geoff on stage and rinsed out a tune that featured local moustachioed punks Turbowolf. My feet couldn't stop dancing; the bass was coursing through me, with excellent visuals on the screen near the stage. I'd seen Richard Royale's name around the place for a while now and absolutely adored his set, proper booming techno and dirty bass. Excellent.
Next up was a sojourn to London for the first Uppity Bump at the Cellar Bar in Camden. A touch of Bristol Big Ting planted in central London, with a reunion between Nza DA Baron, Jay le Surgeon, Bass Clef [pictured] and Annala behind the decks. Bass Clef gave an excellent set, full of sixties girl groups and Fats Domino, whilst Annala and I partook in a serious dance off. She was behind the decks next, with a unique brand of lady funk and dirty Northern Soul, featuring 'Work Song' - a stomping funk record with just the right splash of politics and naughtiness; Aretha Franklin and, of course, Spanky. Thrown into this was some perfect hip hop - Annala's signature 'Ms Fat Booty' by Mos Def and, of course, 'Baby got Back'. Jay le Surgeon was up next, lining up Roots Manuva with some classic hip hop and funk, with Nza Da Baron headlining, dropping a range of hip hop and RnB, as well as classic Madonna tune 'Dress me Up' - one of my favourites. The night was a perfect debut, and hopefully the Uppity Bump will continue in the strain of Big Ting, bringing together a love of music and dancing in an eclectic mix.
Back in Bristol we popped to the Croft to see Turbowolf. Full of energy and Betty was as ever great, although I didn't feel there was much new to add to this column's previous reviews. Loud, shouty, exciting to watch... but I have to mention the visuals - religious porn? Guys - what was that about?
The end of August saw a trip to Cosies to catch up with the Dutty Girl founder DissMiss [pictured], spinning tunes with dj partner Queen Bee. Tight Fit was planned to be the guest dj, but unfortunately was unable to play as they had no CD decks. DissMiss and Queen Bee rocked the decks out, playing a mix of house, techno and booty shaking bass, perhaps different from what I tend to associate with Girl Wonder - hip hop and ragga. It was great to catch up with DissMiss, and she'll be featured in the next column when I'll chat to her about her musical roots and why she decided to set up her dj collective Dutty Girl. Cosies was buzzing by the time I left, Queen Bee and DissMiss filling the dance floor with some great dancing tunes. Weasel is playing the next Girl Wonder this Saturday, so if you are around Cosies I'd make sure you get down there!
The beginning of September brought an exciting gig for me - The Hound's first outing in over a year. As the bassist was away on her honeymoon (there was a theme this summer!) Rob Sexy Bitch stepped up to take her place for the Nokia Break Out gig at the Thekla. The guys opened with a new track, poppy and rocky and really fresh - a multitude of influences from glam rock and electro pop and pure old rock n roll. The three were really tight, with Andy on the drums providing harmonising backing vocals, teasing his girlfriend Sarah in the audience. Songs like 'Hell Is Other People' and 'This is Mrs' sounded full of energy and raw rock sounds, with the guitar buzzing against JP's vocals. The set was full of passion and an excitement about playing live, it was impossible to not get caught up in the enthusiasm of the guys.
Finally, there was the End of the Road festival for the Chicks with Decks hen do. My first ever festival, can you believe it, excepting Ladyfest and Ashton Court.
We arrived at the beautiful Larmer Tree gardens, peacocks and grand trompe d'oeil included, and, after drinking some wine and eating pie, we headed over to see Conor Osbert, formerly Bright Eyes. I have to say, I preferred him in his Bright Eyes persona, a bit more moody, a bit dourer. The music was good and he clearly has an incredible voice that allows him to maybe take more chances than he has done. It was blues rock, a form of music I love in a nostalgic way, but that was the main thrust of it, nostalgia. There wasn't much new in it, a bit MOR, a bit dad rock, and a cover of 'Karina Karina' confirmed that to me. Excellent voice, that can't be emphasised enough, but just not at all exciting. So we headed to the Cider Bus and the Shisha Pipe. Yum!
Next up were Club Rockfeedback favourites Pete and the Pirates. I had seen these guys a lot when I was living in Dalston - a favourite anecdote of mine was the occasion when the Pirates all drunkenly came back to my house and ate my soup and courgettes. So I was intrigued to see how they had developed as a band, whether their style had changed and grown. I was really impressed. The guys were really tight, performing excellent guitar pop songs of love and fun and cats. The drummer was fantastic - he seemed to be on fire with the energy behind the songs, thrashing at the drums like a man possessed, really holding the tunes together with excellent beats against the smooth guitars and soaring vocals. I am so pleased at how well these guys are doing, they are bursting with talent, both in terms of song writing and performance.
We popped over to the main stage to see British Sea Power who were great, another band that have really grown over time to create some excellent tunes and a strong following. I was really impressed by the set, and the last album was superb.
Mercury Rev headlined the Saturday night, and what a performance! It was emotional in the intensity of the show, with soaring keyboards and understated vocals. My favourite Mercury Rev, 'The Dark Is Rising' which sounded especially fantastic. The emotions behind the lyrics were contrasted against the huge overindulgent sample, and crashing keyboards. 'Holes' sounded wondrous also, as my friends and I indulged in some true arm waving dancing, caught up in the moment.
After another uncomfortable sleep we headed back down through the sun to sample the delights of the Sunday line up. I bumped into Aaron of I Know I Have No Collar, hanging out with Jeffrey Lewis, who I proceeded to regale with my tales of my incredibly uncomfortable and cold tent. It was a shame that I missed Jeffrey's set, but it clashed with Tindersticks, which I just couldn't resist.
We went to see Kimya Dawson, the act I was most excited about for the weekend. I have adored Kimya since her days in the Moldy Peaches and was ecstatic over her set. Simple songs about her baby, her history, her love for her friends and husband, and especially again her love for her baby. One of the most poignant songs was an unreleased track recalling her fears when she became pregnant and then accepting it as she recalled all the changes she has experienced over her life, from learning guitar to hanging out with junkies to writing poetry when she was 12. I had a tear in my eye. Her voice in some ways is so small and yet so powerful, I think because of the personal she pours in to her performance. She finished with 'Collaboration' - they can't all be ballads, Julienne!
Next we went across to the Big Top tent to see Bob Logg III give an incredible if terrifyingly surreal performance. In a black studded leather cat suit and space helmet, Bob Logg III regaled an excited audience with real hoe down country rock, and entertaining the crowd between tracks with odd anecdotes and the One Man Band Meeting. He seems to be all over the place at the moment, and comes with a real recommendation.
After getting a bite to eat we headed back to the main stage to see Tindersticks. I have to say, they were a revelation. They were backed with strings and brass, and topped with vocals that seem to have been formed in whisky filled jazz clubs from the nineteen twenties travelled across the crowd and straight to the heart of you. Seriously, vocally Stuart A Staples is so incredible, rich and deep like a good coffee, whilst with that interesting gravely tone that has earned him comparison to Tom Waits. The strings and brass wrapped themselves around his vocals, creating a gorgeous synthesis of sound that took my breath away. It felt like a privilege to be part of his audience, as though you were part of something special and much, much bigger. It was a prefect end to a wonderful weekend.
The album that I now must urge you all to buy is the Friendly Fires LP that has come out on XL. Appleblim has launched a new label as well, so watch out for that, it promises to bring the freshest and most exciting dub step sounds. In the meantime, I'll see you next month with more West Country news and an interview with DissMiss. Til then!