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doubledotdash!? at South Street

Posted: Mon, 04 May 2009

Creators of the fanzine 'Lethargy' and promoters of the regular Econo Band nights venture to South Street on Saturday 9 May. The headliner is Gravenhurst AKA Nick Talbot - a Bristol based multi-instrumentalist.

Gravenhurst

Bristol based songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Nick Talbot, AKA Gravenhurst, first garnered critical attention with his second album 'Flashlight Seasons', originally released in 2003 through his own label Silent Age. He signed to Warp in 2004 and re-released 'Flashlight Seasons', which was quickly followed by the mini-album 'Black Holes in the Sand'.

The sound of these two records; finger-picked folk, dark, sometimes cryptic lyrical themes and Talbot's distinctive, softly sung vocals by no means set out a rigid template to be followed. The follow up albums 'Fires in Distant Buildings' (2005) and 'The Western Lands' (2007) moved further into sonic rock territory, incorporating shoegaze and Krautrock sounds, yet both albums retain the peerless melody and invention that have marked Talbot out as such a unique voice, in a world of increasingly tired, derivative and cynically marketed bands.

Having recently disbanded his live ensemble, Nick is embarking on a series of solo dates around the country. This will be an intriguing opportunity to see songs from his increasingly full and atmospheric back catalogue, stripped back to the bare essentials, one man, his guitar, and selections of haunting melancholic folk. Perfect for these trying times.

www.gravenhurstmusic.com

Hunting The Shy

What happens when the grunge kids grow up. Raised on a steady diet of nothing but The Jesus Lizard, Melvins, and (smog), these three misfits from Reading are creating a sonic whirlwind unlike anything this town has heard before. Their spaceage freak rock, kept in check by their trusty drum beast Dwight, hits you equally in the heart and the face, and will also have you humming it's melodies under your breath for weeks. Despite delighting audiences across Reading with their rough around the edges live show, the band themselves remain unsatisfied as they are seeking perfection - perhaps the star's will be correctly aligned on 9 May at South Street.

www.myspace.com/hunttheshy

Tilehurst Childrens Arkestra

Five childhood friends from the wooded hills of West Reading, kraut rockin' with smoky jazz inflection. No fashion, no gimmick, and no real desire to be heard. Modest in their brilliance, they will move you without words. Reading's best kept secret, and proof that beautiful things can happen right under your nose. Check 'em out if you like Tortoise, Stereolab, Neu and/or Steely Dan. If you don't, dang it. Check 'em out anyway. EP "Some place on top of a hill" available now!

www.myspace.com/tilehurstarkestra

The details

What: doubledotdash!? and South Street present Gravenhurst, with support from Hunting The Shy and Tielhurst Childrens Arkestra
When: Saturday 9 May, 8pm
Where: South Street Arts Centre, Reading.
How: £6 from www.readingarts.com or 01189 606060