Seeing A Star

Photo by JACK PASCO

One of the highlights of the recent Unison Bends album sessions in Brighton was getting out into the city after 10-hour days in the studio and checking out the local music scene.

A night out at the Greys pub proved revelatory. Four singer/songwriters were on the bill, and each of them was excellent: interesting songs, great voices and out-of-the-ordinary instrumentation.

But one stood out so far ahead of the others that it was almost unreal. Alex KP sings her truly original material accompanied by her own immaculate guitar and the beautiful playing of her cellist. But what stunned the place into complete attentive silence was her voice, an instrument of passion that leaps from sweet to gruffly bluesy in an instant or two.

She is in the same league as John Martyn and Joni Mitchell (while not being a copy of either one). In short: she is a star.

Practise, Practise, Practise...

Bassist Bill Keller and I tried to book a studio in Brighton for a Unison Bends rhythm section rehearsal - and gave up after the third one we tried was fully booked. And this was early evening and midweek.

There are obviously a lot of bands in Brighton. But it's more or less the same story everywhere. Unless you book well in advance, you won't get a rehearsal space.

So where are all these bands playing – apart from in rehearsal rooms? Are they actually gigging or just rehearsing?

The number of venues booking bands seems to be shrinking – and the number of bands seems to be increasing. It's always been tough to get gigs, but now it's getting even tougher.

You could be forgiven for asking: what are we all rehearsing for?

iDrum, Therefore...

Yesterday in Brighton I had the good fortune to stumble upon a street performance by two young drummers performing under the banner of iDrum. These guys prove that you don't need top-quality gear to produce a great sound.

One played a pretty basic drum kit (plus assorted street furniture) while the other played plastic buckets and bowls. But what a groove!

From what I can gather, iDrum are popping up all over the place (on the street, in clubs), so if you get the chance to see these percussive guerrillas, take it. Anyone who says drum solos (or duets) are boring should have been there yesterday, along with the huge crowd of appreciative passers-by, who couldn't pass by.