Airship and Pete Lawrie
March 2010ZANI – Ones To Watch
This week I am going for a slightly different angle as there is so much sweet music heading my way right now. It never ceases to amaze me that some of these artists are not blowing away major labels. I guess most of them are all too busy either addling their brains with coke or waiting for the next quick buck. Maybe they just don't have the passion once they get the trappings of a warm office and an i-mac. You know I discovered the music of Airship from Manchester via a third billing in the back room of a Cambridge pub. As per usual most of the punters could not see beyond the evenings headline act and stayed in the bar. Most of the industry types were busy comparing notes or ringing the dealer via blackberry and racking up the expense account. Yea this is a rant of kinds, you know why, well here is how my day went while these arseholes could not be bothered to spot real talent. I was up at five am put in a ten hour shift at the day job with my i-pod on full blast checking out my latest batch of promos. Finishing at 3.30pm I rushed home changed, waited for the wife then we travelled 75 miles to Cambridge, booked into a guest house arriving at the venue with 10 mins to spare before Airship took to the stage. Oh yes and we paid for it all ourselves, the difference is that we care with a passion for new music what I write comes from the heart not a recycled PR release written by an intern. Of course compared to the average punter on the street I am in a privileged position of getting guest listed and receiving lots of free music ahead of release dates. The difference being though that it means something to me I have questioned my right and ability to play god with peoples music. My conclusion is now that my opinion is worth ten of the overpaid under worked journos from the popular music press. You see I would cut my right arm off to be given the opportunities and contacts they have. I worry that I've missed some great new bands and artists through sheer lack of time. Many nights I sit up to the small hours replying to e-mails listening to 100's of tracks just to discover one or two artists like these two below makes it more than worth while.
Without doubt the best new band I have listened to and seen live so far in 2010. Those of you who get the chance to catch them live with the wonderful Joy Formidable on the current tour should feel privileged. This band will explode in a big way come the May release of debut single "Algebra". Having cut their teeth the proper way gigging hard and honing a studio sound over the last five years. Yet another product of gods chosen music city Manchester, they have all the pop sensibilities to crossover into the mainstream. Having spent a long time chatting with them in Cambridge, I am certain they have the know how to remain credible. There is something special about these guys that manages to move me, there is a sense of escapism exuding from their music. To be able to have made such diverse tracks as Woodworm and Kids shows a real thought out musical maturity. They manage to remind me of both the Pixies and Suede through to even the more glorious early work of James. This is no quick fix of landfill Indie this is the real deal. Thank god new Manchester indie label "Love and Disaster" has seen the wood for the trees and snapped them up. Friday night "This is Hell" sent shivers right through me and made the long journey worth every minute this band will fill stadiums
Pete Lawrie
I don't know where to start with the beauty and fragility of Pete Lawrie, If you hear a better male singer/songwriter anywhere this year or any year please let me know. He is a lyrical genius who stems from a troubled last few years! Hailing from North Wales his music genuinely moves me to tears. This guy nails a tune veering between Tom Waits and Nick Drake in equal measure. As Dixie from Svengali's would say he has the X,Y and Z factor.
With dark, menacing percussion and sinister overtones throughout, “Panic” lifted from the new E.P. grabs you by the balls straight away and twists. There is a softer side that comes to the fore on “Paperthin”, bringing to mind Nick Drake. Make no mistake, this guy is good.
I know I get carried away but lately I’m full of hope for the future of new music when I hear artists as good as this guy. I was just imagining a billing where you could put together Pete with Lissie and Caitlin Rose for a show. For me, this is where I’m finding the most inspiration from.
Writing and listening to this E.P is a joyous experience. The more I listen the more I am in a creative flow. I honestly can’t pick a favourite track, though I am on my fifth play of closer “Jimmy and the Birds on Fire”, so that must say something. Stripped back with a great piano, the more I listen to this track the more I am feeling a young Tom Waits here. This is going to be a must buy record if you dig this genre like me. Pete is on tour right now with Turin Brakes and the E.P drops early April on Field/Island records. Two words total genius.
© Words – Mark Thorpe /ZANI Ltd
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