"As the days are getting shorter and it's colder every night, there's something in the water saying everything will be alright." These words were from a song called Keep Digging that I wrote back in 2011 but seem appropriate for the time of year. Whilst the summer sun has retired for another year, we are looking onward to a great month of gigs ahead, and before you know it, Halloween and the Christmas countdown begins! Take a look at my hot picks for October in Brighton and see what you like the look of. Keep music live and alive.
Sunday 5th October
Brighton Philharmonic - Dome - 2:30pm - £11-35
For those of you unaware, Brighton Philharmonic is a firmly established local orchestra, about to begin is 90th concert season. Formed in 1925, the orchestra has been resident at Brighton Dome for almost all of this time with each season consisting of around one concert a month between October and March, and a series of smaller ensemble performances over the summer. Conducted by Barry Wordsworth, the former BBC Concert Orchestra conductor and Covent Garden's Royal Ballet musical director, the opening concert has a Russian theme with compositions from Glinka, Rachmaninoff and Shostavovich. For a full programme of the BP concerts pick up a brochure at Brighton Dome or check their website here. Below is a link to the first piece of the evening, Glinka's Ruslan and Ludmila Overture performed by the Berlin Philharmonic. Come and experience the wonder of these Russian composers in the beautiful Brighton Dome for a lovely afternoon out.
mail@brightonphil.org.uk
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Tuesday 7th October
LOUT Presents: Southern - Green Door Store - 7:30pm - £5
Southern are a brother-sister duo from Bedlfast, made up of Thom and Lucy Southern and joined by drummer Eoghan Clifford on the drums to complete the band. Based in Liverpool, the band have definitely taken a southerly direction, although I think most locals would agree they need to move this side of the Watford Gap to be really considered "southern". Their musical style featured elements from pop-rock, indie, acoustic and blues, mixed together in a pop way that sounds reminiscent of the 90s, in the good way of course! The track below "Where I Want To Be" is catchy, rhythmic and poppy, and a damn good song. Have a listen and see if they take your fancy in the way they took mine.
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Wednesday 8th October
Described by ABC News as 'One of the most gifted songwriters of his generation...', Grant Lee-Phillips is a great talent from the Americana scene. Imagine the stories of Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen told through slightly less weathered lungs and you're part of the way there. His voice has a delicacy to it with a warm tone to match his folk guitar playing. Also on the bill is Howe Gelb, an American folk legend often referred to as the "elder statesman of freewheeling Americana", with five decades of performing experience, countless albums and a resume that reads like a small festival line-up. The pair with both play solo sets before teaming up for what is sure to be a magical collaboration. Below is Grant's track 'Dream in Colour' for your enjoyment.
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Thursday 9th October
Neil Cowley Trio - Corn Exchange - 8pm - £15/£12.50
Jazz can be very hit and miss. Even amongst the most weathered listeners, contemporary performers often go "too far" into the weird and dark textures, isolating the performers from the listeners. It's kind of like asking a question in latin and wondering why all you get are open mouths in response. Neil Cowley Trio is NOT like that. Melodic, intricate, inventive and most importantly aesthetically beautiful, the track below 'Kneel Down' demonstrates perfectly the easy-listening side of jazz, verging on ambient. Neil Cowley has won numerous awards for his compositions, working with a number of pop/soul acts including Adele, whom he played piano for on her breakthrough album '19'. Come and be amazed by the textures created with just a trio and maybe even open the door to jazz, even if just slightly ajar, to see what you might like.
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Friday 10th October
Wille and The Bandits - Green Door Store - 7:00pm - £8
Combining influences of folk, roots and rock music, the south-west coast trio Wille and the Bandits are coming to a Brighton favourite, Green Door Store, as part of their Ireland and UK Tour, in support of their new live album 'Live in Gouvy', released 1st October 2014. With only three days off in the 22 date UK tour this month, the boys are certainly putting in the effort to get their music heard across the country, following on from their international tour earlier in the year. With a host of rave reviews and from listening to some of their live recordings I can tell that the show is going to be a great one and I am looking forward to seeing them live for the first time this month. Support for this gig comes from Chris Marsh, a Kent-born Brighton-based singer-songwriter who combines powerful vocals with his impressive guitar playing (watch out for his tap-guitar and instrumentals: they're the bomb!) with a strong set of original songs and changed-up covers. Also the rasgueado master Edd Mann will be playing a few of his songs for you. Watch out for his signature track, Spanish Dancer! Check out clips of WATB and Chris Marsh below.
Monday 13th October
One Inch Badge Presents: Glass Animals - The Haunt - 7pm - £8
Glass Animals are and indie/rock quartet from Oxford, led by Dave Bayley and formed of three friends whom he showed his very first recordings to, the product of his insomnia whilst at medical school in London. The band were the first signing on Wolf Tone, a record label set up by superhuman producer Paul Epworth (the man behind everybody from Adele and Florence and the Machine to Coldplay, Paul McCartney and Bruno Mars), so you can assume they're pretty amazing! The track below, 'Black Mambo', recorded live in London captures the band's charisma, precision and understated infectious simplicity of their melodically rich music. Catch this intimate show at The Haunt before they take off to higher heights and bigger stages.
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Wednesday 15th October
Live Nation Presents: The Neighbourhood - Concorde II - 7:30pm - £12.50
A five-piece from LA, The Neighbourhood are hardly known in the UK, judging by the modest success of their releases so far. Their debut album 'I Love You', released back in April 2013 only reached number 70 in the UK charts, compared to top 10 positions in the US Rock and US Alt. charts. Their single 'Sweater Weather' (below) topped the US Alt. charts and was in the top 10 for the US Pop and US Rock charts too, whilst barely breaking the top 50 in the UK. I can only assume that the band simply need to develop their UK fanbase, which hopefully their October UK tour. The band have previously played sold out shows in London and toured with Interpol, so they must be doing something right. The NBHD are quite brooding and atmospheric, reminding me of a chilled out 1975. Support from D/C.
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Thursday 16th October
The Loft Sessions Presents: Charlotte Carpenter - Latest Music Bar - 7pm - £5 adv/ £7 otd
Charlotte Carpenter is a young singer-songwriter from Northampton who is definitely making some strong moves on the UK acoustic scene. Having self-released three EPs, the last of which 'Whole' reached number 10 in the iTunes singer-songwriter chart, her new EP 'Take It All' has some big shoes to follow. Moving in a more rocky direction, diverging from the acoustic path that she has established so far with a slightly further reaching project. The title track from the new EP has a simple accompanying riff that bounces up and down in the background as the superb vocal hooks take the foreground. The track definitely has a KT Tunstall meets Kings of Leon feel to it. Lovely stuff. Come along and check out her performance in the intimate setting of Latest Music Bar.
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Friday 17th October
Melting Vinyl Presents: A Winged Victory for the Sullen - St George's Church - 7:30pm - £14/16
A Brussels-based duo made up of ambient soundscapist Adam Witltzie and accomplished pianist Dustin O'Halloran, AWVFTS (it is a long name after all!) produce moving atmospheric music which is as rich and deep as a 4-tier fruitcake. Perfect music for films, relaxation or aiding peoples comedowns at 3am at the summer festivals, the sounds that they create are diverse and universally beautiful.Their new album ATMOS is released on 6th October, so will be available to buy at the gig. Set in the wonderful St. George's Church in Brighton, this is going to be an evening of great wonder.
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Monday 20th October
Melting Vinyl Presents: Nick Mulvey - Komedia - 8:30pm - VERY NEARLY SOLD OUT
I saw Nick Mulvey performing a SOLD OUT gig at Cheltenham Jazz Festival this year and I could see why he was so popular. After moving to Havana at the age of 19 to study Music & Art, he formed the Mercury Prize nominated group, Portico Quartet. Since leaving the group, he has been flying solo, and rather successfully at that, having supported the likes of Laura Marling, Laura Mvula and an upcoming support show for Elbow at the iTunes Festival this September. With a sparse acoustic sound and a minimalist sensibility, there is nothing in the way of the craftsmanship of his songs. Guarenteed to be a wonderful evening. Only 3 tickets left at the time of writing. Check out where to get them quickly, here.
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Wednesday 22nd October
Transcending from lo-fi bedroom folk into a lushly orchestrated rock group with a penchant for rich layers and experimental vocals, The Antlers are a 3-piece Indie-rock band based in Brooklyn who are embarking on a comprehensive European tour, starting off their string of dates in the UK with a performance at Hove's The Old Market. Fresh of the back of their new album 'Familiars', the band are sure to be full of energy for this tour and eager to share their music with new audiences as well as faithful fans. Check out their track 'Parade' below for a little taster of what's in store.
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Monday 27th October
By the age of 19, Haley had already recorded an album, moved from Rapid City to Duluth and dropped out of college, supporting Low with a guitar and her drummer cram-packed into her Honda Civic. Since then, Haley has branched out in every direction, described as
"...more than a hard working musician. She is an innovator, creative ass-kicker and visionary dug into the trenches of living."
"...more than a hard working musician. She is an innovator, creative ass-kicker and visionary dug into the trenches of living."
With an all-star cast of rotating bandmates who have performed with the likes of Bon Iver, Rogue Valley and Alpha Consumer, Haley is well supported in her creative endeavours, with her songs finding their way into TV shows and films as well as filling her diary with local and international touring. Don't miss this great chance to see her perform for FREE at Green Door Store.
http://haleybonar.com/
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Tuesday 28th October
Descriptions like "dream pop" and "shoegaze" always make me chuckle a little, as they seem to describe more the audience's reaction to the music, which are clearly as varied as a Woolworths' former pick'n'mix selection, rather than comment on the actual music itself. For those of you who may find youself a little confused by these terms, interchange them with "atmospheric indie-rock" and "evocative" and you're somewhere close. Real Estate (the band not the property market) formed in New Jersey in 2008, and a couple of members and several labels later are still alive and kicking. Their latest record, Atlas, was released in March this year, reaching 34 in the Billboard Top 200 in the US. Check out the video for the opening track off the album, 'Had to Hear' below.
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Thursday 30th October
It was the night before Halloween...and everybody was heading down to The Hope before the monsters started getting ready, to see Pale Seas perform a free gig! Singer and guitarist Jacob Scott started songwriting in 2011 when he decided to part ways with his formal education. His reverb-drenched first efforts were bitter-sweet and honest, giving him the confidence to move home and form Pale Seas with his old school friends. Their latest release, 'Place to Haunt' EP, which was recorded on the Isle of Wight, sounds in the same vein as Alex Turner's 'Submarine' film soundtrack, with interesting vocals, nice harmonies and whirling synths providing lift off to the track. Check them out for FREE. Wash your hair another night.
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Friday 31th October
After the success of their last two EP launches at Green Door Store in 2013, MOVES in August and PHOEBE FREYA EP in December, Normanton Street are back bigger than ever with a bigger venue and one of the best local line ups going for their next EP launch night for their new record Much Respect, released on their own label QM Records. Always gigging and airing the new material in Brighton and all over the place, Normanton Street are touring across the UK at the end of October, with their adopted hometown gig sure to be a heavy hitter. Support comes from London-based new-soul outfit New Street Adventure, folk/world music from their local amigos Time for T and four-piece indie rockers Wolflung. With advance tickets for just three pounds, you're literally an idiot if you don't go.
http://www.normantonstreet.com/
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