Fleet Street Records Artist Showcase
- Posted on February 23, 2007 1:00 PM
- 1 comment
The Borderline, London Thursday 22 February 2007
By Peter Coulston
The Borderline is one of my favorite venues, and this opportunity to hear new acts from a new indie label was too much to resist. Located in Orange Yard off Manette Street off Charing Cross Road (nowhere near as complicated as it sounds), the Borderline is everything a good gig venue should be. It is in a basement, is rough and grungy, and doesn't rip you off for the drinks. Very little seating near the stage, but there is a more comfortable area at the back, often used by the musicians when they come off stage. Many well known people have cut their teeth at this venue and often return in the autumn of their careers, while new talent is ever present and encouraged.The nearest tube is Tottenham Court Road and there is on street parking after 18:30 off Oxford Street going towards Goodge Street but watch out for Residents Only spaces, they will clamp you.
Fleet Street Records refer to themselves as THE new platform for music, where artistic freedom is everything and the bands own their own recordings. I'm all for that and am up for promoting a return to this sort of management in the music business. Which was why I have been emailing everyone that I could find involved with Fleet Street for the last week to get some background on the bands and listen to their CD's. Unfortunately I have had no replies; is it just because they are on myspace, 'cos hardly anyone else ever replies from there. Anyway, was it worth the effort? Not half. I saw and heard three of the four acts showcased and must say that I was impressed. We all know that, while it's all about the music (right!), you will not get far unless you are disciplined, professional and look good. Which is why John Prescott is not a musician, aside from the fact that he probably has no talent in that line of work either.
Talent, however, did abound at the Borderline last night. I unfortunately missed The Far Cries, so opened my evening's listening with Mersaultmusic, a grungy four piece guitar band with good stage presence and listenable songs aided by strong vocals. The format moved about a bit so it was difficult to pin them down, which in some ways is no bad thing. They do what they do well and I have a feeling that they will find a niche and excel in it. Next up was Tim Ten Yen. Tim is a guy, not a band, who, at first sight and listen, makes you think "David Byrne". You soon realise, however, that Tim is his own man. Alone on stage with his backing tracks, Tim incorporates quirky dances into his equally quirky but catchy songs. Dressed in a suit and tie, he stood out among the rest of us scruffbags (it's rock 'n roll, right), but had the audience dancing with him and loving it. Watch out for this guy, I don't think he is going to go away until he has us all dancing with him. Stranger things have happened.
The closing act was Apartment, a very professional guitar based indie four piece with a singer who has something of Jim (not James) Morrison about him. I am not just referring to looks; this guy can sing. The songs were all good and he really did them justice. They were joined for one number by Liz, the singer with The Far Cries, which made me sorry that I had missed them. I can't believe that anyone with her looks and voice could be with a bad band. Maybe next time. Returning to Apartment, this band really has a future if managed and nurtured in the right way. The audience love them but I am not sure that the guitar smashing at the end was a good idea. This good looking band don't appear to have any reason to be angry enough for such aggression. The evening finished around 23:00, having started rather early, and everyone appeared to have had a good night. I certainly did. So, well done Fleet Street Records, you have some fine acts there and all is forgiven; for now. Just get in touch, I want to review those CD's.
Comments (1)
Jody
Hello...
I am label manager at Fleet St Records, and am always contactable - jody@kubamusic.net - give me a shout!
xxx
Posted on February 25, 2007 11:52 PM
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