Inspired by those Greenwich Village coffeehouses of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s that had spawned a generation of beat poets and folk musicians in New York City, Leeds’ Gaslight Club has now been a regular Monday night feature in the city’s Oporto bar for some six years. A joint venture between Nick Simcock of the Leeds based independent record label Dead Young Records and Scots singer-songwriter Gary Stewart, the evening consistently showcases a wide range of impressive musical talent that bridges the gap between folk music and indie.
In keeping with many Monday nights at Oporto, the Gaslight Club this evening not only boasts four individual acts but also offers free entry. Two of tonight’s performers, though, fail to show, something which genial host Gary Stewart diplomatically puts down to there having been “crossed wires”. In their stead, Stewart performs an extended set of his own. Holding a perfect balance between the best traditions and revivalism of folk music, he draws upon the influences of Paul Simon, his fellow countryman Bert Jansch and virtuoso folk-blues guitarist Davey Graham. His reading of Graham’s complex instrumental tune ‘Anji’ is unerringly true, his intricate playing momentarily threatening to distract from what is the very strong consistency of his own songwriting. ‘Watertight’ is stirring and ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ – a song about split personalities, set in Edinburgh’s infamous pubic triangle – is joyously unsettling.
Performing what is the last date of their current UK tour, Canada’s In-Flight Safety – the duo of John Mullane on guitar and vocals and drummer Glen Nicholson, who are supported for their live shows by an additional guitar, bass and keys – overcome the minor obstacle of a broken snare drum mid-set and the constraints of an enforced early curfew to provide what is a nigh-on perfect demonstration of all that can be really achieved when you have some beautifully detailed, melodic tunes and strong musicianship at your disposal.
‘Before Animals’, ‘Animals’ and ‘Blue Flares’ – all taken from the band’s third album Conversationalist – are majestic pop songs, as rousing as they are heart-warming. Certain parallels will be drawn between In-Flight Safety and their American contemporaries Beach Fossils and Craft Spells – they each share key moments of intimacy, immediacy and no little warmth – but with their chiming guitars, glorious harmonies and pure powerpop aesthetic greater comparisons should be made with Teenage Fanclub or a Chris Bell-inspired Big Star.
Some more photos from this evening can be seen here
Conversationalist was released in the UK on 22nd September 2014 via Conehead Records.
