By Lisa Gowling •
April 1, 2009
Haunted Stereo, Kumiss, Wise Children + Ryan O’Reilly @ The Joiners, 28th March 2009.
Saturday saw the Launch of Haunted Stereo’s ‘Treehouse EP’, at The Joiners
Arms. The atmosphere was buzzing from the time the doors opened. The
headliners were accompanied with equally exciting local bands as the
flavour of good music tickled the taste buds of the crowd.
Ryan O’Reilly kicked off the event with a cut
down acoustic set of his most favourable songs accompanied by band
member Dave Granshaw. He offers simple melodies with sophisticated
lyrics with each song leading the listener into a short and magical
story filled with emotion and passion.
Ryan didn’t fail to make the crowd feel
warm and reflective, and has a talent of making even the hardened soul
battle shedding a tear on some of their most beautiful lyrics. His on
stage ambiance teamed with some of his most attractive creations
created a stir of approval from the audience, the only negative about
this short but memorable set is that the venue had not begun to fill up
yet so few witnessed this enchanting performance, and for the late
comers….well you missed out.
Wise Children, are an
exceptional trio, my attention was gripped from the moment they stepped
foot on the stage. Their music is original which makes it difficult to
classify, however there is no doubt that it is full of soul and
powerful lyrics which made every ear in the venue open up a little
wider to consume the sound.
Lead singer, Robin, came across shy
when engaging with the crowd, it’s endearing and a far cry from how he
should be, as this band ooze unique and creative talent. After every
song came accepting nods from the crowds, some like myself who had
never experienced their sound live before, left me wanting more and
eager to add them to my personal musical collection.
This is a talented band that should go
far, their love for the musical language shows with every strum of the
guitar, every beat of the drum and every lyric sang from their mouths.
They are a synthesis of strong beats, beautiful harmonies and a
strikingly attractive voice to blend it all together.
After the memorable start to Haunted
Stereo’s launch we were thrown in contrast to the unique and hard to
describe local five piece band Kumiss, their
collection of uplifting and energetic songs left every person in the
room tapping their toes along to the beats and nodding their heads in
rhythm.
They look like they shouldn’t work, but
they do. Their multiple looks and different sounds go together like
Salt and Pepper. They had little interaction with the audience only to
tell the crowd that their free ‘Roof Gardens’ sample was being handed
out by the ‘pretty girl at the back’. I for one rushed to get my hands
on the CD.
Kumiss were entertaining and gave a
sample of what the crowd were to expect from there album launch at the
end of May, and by the reactions from the revellers at the Joiners I
don’t doubt that many of Saturday’s crowd will be there to witness more
and offer support from this energetic and up-coming band.
Headline act, Haunted Stereo
have songs that have a sensitive soul, yet pack a powerful punch, there
was certainly something for every taste, and there was not one face
amongst the crowd that didn’t show a sign of contentment. The leading
vocals and many instruments made every song build up to a
multi-instrumental whirl wind that left many wide eyed and open
mouthed. Andy occupied the crowd in-between songs which made this a
performance and not just a show.
Their collaboration of numerous
instruments produced sounds which you couldn’t help but smile
continuously to, this band certainly have the wow factor. Their
original up-lifting music and the sheer talent that all members conjure
up, produce sounds that leave your ears and eyes requesting more. All
of the six band members had delighted their listeners to a vocal solo
or musical solo throughout their set, again this showed the unique
talent that has led Haunted Stereo to their second EP, and that will
almost certainly lead this band to bigger and better things.
With sounds from the guitar, violin,
accordion, banjo, the drums and many more this band throws every bit of
original talent into a musical caldron that leaves every listener under
their spell. And from the queue formed after the show to buy their EP, it was certain that they left people wanting to hear more.
If you have not yet experienced the
sights and sounds of Haunted Stereo, Check them out, they are certainly
going to do very well.
http://www.myspace.com/hauntedstereomusic