Sabai had a photoshoot last weekend. Working in a studio with a pro was a great experience. Having bright lights positioned to light up your every wrinkle and hag-feature was not so marvelous.

The fun began once the dumb moody band pics were out of the way and we could be ourselves. Bounding at high speed through the forest was our aim and running on the spot in to the camera was our method.

Can't wait to see the results. I'm sure being creatures of the forest will receive distain from the same people who deride "Glockenspiel music". Well, I like the forest and I like glockenspiels (in moderation) so long live the non-cool.

On Monday night I went to see Goldheart assembly at the Ark. They had the same glockenspiel as me!

We were treated to an opening set from Jack Butler. What they lack in an inspiring name they make up for in energy and the finest bass I've seen out and about for a long while. He could have given Flea a run for his money. Plus I always like a guy in a track-suit top and they were the first clean-shaven fellows I've seen in a long while what with this now-everyone-has-a-beard thing going on. I loved the slightly punky vocals and the four piece was faultlessly tight and ready to get the dancing going.

Goldheart assembly look the part. All dressed like our fathers back in the day (though probably not their own fathers, youngsters that they are) they played themselves up as cheeky London chappies with some comfortable banter.

The dummer made some fabulous use of his toms early in the set, and contributed throughout to the wonderful big sound. I guess having two keyboard players gives texture a new scope. It helped that one of them looked like the love child of Prince and Jodi Mitchell and had a Hammond. Everyone sang. Sabai have been working on getting us all singing, as well as playing, and in tune. It ain't easy that's for sure. So for six of them to manage perfectly executed harmonies they are an accomplished bunch.

I was really glad the one with the Fender thinline got a wee solo in the non-encore request they obliged at the end. Simple and melodic, a great contrast.

The west coast harmonies that prevailed gave the band the sound that has had them compared to the Beach Boys and Fleet Foxes. They frequently moved away from this and having two front men made for variety. It gave me faith that even though Sabai doesn't have the one big show off keeping people entertained, it is interesting having two people with their different personalities and styles up front. I hope that when we bring our voices together we also achieve the effect of the whole being greater than the sum of it's parts.

Maybe I'll stalk them and try and get us a warm up gig next time we make it to London. I'll have to get my glockenspiel ready.

- Fiona