Last night was the first TAKEOVER @ BOX gig, launching with the AMERICANA TAKEOVER. We hope it will be the first of many, with POP, ROCK, BLUES, ACOUSTIC and ELECTRO TAKEOVERs all happening in july.
Beginning the AMERICANA TAKEOVER was Terry Balfour. Formerly of the ever-popular 'Jocasta Sleeps' who have been tearing it up round Glasgow for the last however long, Terry has broken away to pursue his own personal ambitions.
Terry didn't disappoint. He has a powerful voice, with a clarity and control i wasn't expecting, which cut through the noise of the bar. He also possesses a genuine warmth that comes across on stage. His lyrics reflect events and feelings that he seems to have experienced first hand. It's irrelevant that his performance was his first since his catalytic final gig with Jocasta, because he wasn't great 'considering'....he was just great.
www.myspace.com/terrybalfour
Next up was Oreste Gargaro. Don't be put off by the fact that that his name looks like he 'leaned on a typewriter' (as the man himself says); it sounds like it looks; and he's not actually a hairy, slick-haired, italian lothario. He is in fact another very talented songwriter and guitarist. With this rare foray into the land of live gigging, Oreste's performance of truly personal songs and an endearing vocal delivery has secured him a place on my booking wishlist.
www.myspace.com/orestegargaromusic
Heading up the acoustic performances, was the well-respected and, quite frankly, scarily good Paul Malcolm. Paul has been a successful and sought after session musician for a number of years and writes songs with a strong americana sound. The fact that his love of music begins and ends with stringed wood is evident in the instrumental parts of his songs. However I didnt ever feel like the guitar finger picky bits overwhelmed the songs. And likewise it seemed there was just the right amount of carefully crafted (though according to him, not always remembered!) lyrics. Another outstanding performance from a musician who should be spending much more time under the hot lights.
www.myspace.com/paulmalcolmfingersnstrings
Ending the night was The Invisible Republic. With rich, beautifully arranged harmonies, drumming that went from intricate to epic between one song and another, twangy guitars and ambient pedal steel, the final result of this band's efforts are quite something. While it wouldn't seem strange to see an army of line-dancers shuffling around to this bands americana/country stylings, they have a contemporary feel to their music that makes it accessible to even the most reluctant of listeners. Not only accessible but inviting. They even made me dance a little.
www.myspace.com/theinvisiblemusic
The next TAKEOVER gig is on July 1st. The POP TAKEOVER is expected to be a belter and will feature Louise Against The Elements, The Random Guy, Only Living Boys, Jonathan Carr and Kate Dunn. Free entry as always!
www.myspace.com/louiseagainsttheelements
www.myspace.com/therandomguyuk
www.myspace.com/onlylivingboys
www.myspace.com/jonathancarr88
www.myspace.com/katedunnmusic
Enjoy x