Isn’t it strange how small obscure venues can deliver some punchy gems? The real talent does not necessarily lie at the O2 and the likes. And nights like Oh, Inverted World at the Old Queens Head in Angel demonstrates that amply. A jaw-droppingly capable ANNA CALVI and her two accompaniers, she is a female psychedelic Roy Orbison with a touch of Stax. Her guitar is profuse, her prose is powerful - from gender bending, to the devil and obsessive love, there is a sense she is so prolific she could play all night. She certainly makes a hard act to follow.
AARON KING, a 5-piece lead by Aaron King, started out as a lone Brighton based pianist-composer, with jazz background, whose melodic yet complex stylings radiate tenderness, with a childlike tinge. The band has been going 3 years, gradually coming together with brothers Tom and Joe Prior first joining on drums (Joe), lovely violin and guitar (Tom), then Tommy Heap coming in on bass and James Morpeth on guitar. Their debut EP The Granary is out any day now, released independently and produced by Tim Rowkins.
Aaron is clearly a perfectionist, as is apparent from his fastidious arrangements and rhythm structures, which are interesting to say the least. In fact, Aaron King the band is interesting because these guys are clearly not afraid to explore their own musical horizons to some extent. Unfortunately, there is definitely a point where they seem to allow themselves to be boxed in by conventions. There is a clear sense of something truly mesmerizing which could only emerge if they let go of the reigns.
On stage they are only four tonight, as their guitarist James could not make it, which does not take much away from the live experience, when compared to their recorded work. They are certainly pleasant to listen to and the lyrics are straightforward and personal. They start with their EP track, ‘You Don’t Know What It Is’, which sets the tone and engages the crowd into their particular pace, and it is well received, as is the Sgt Peppery ‘Hello So And So’.
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Continuing with a dreamier theme, ‘I’m On Your Side’ and the intricate ‘Marvin’ bring excellent orchestration, only to be followed by a lukewarm ‘My Joke’, at which point they nearly lose the room, but retrieve it nicely with ‘Aftermath’ – an excellent number, sung by bassist Tommy. Tommy is a good bass player. His onstage singing wants a bit of encouragement, though, and he is almost missing in action, which does not do the song justice. ‘Why So Much’ is a simple song with shoegaze pretensions of the Keane variety. Thankfully, final number ‘Stretch to the Limit’ provides a bit more of a stretch, and a stormy piano jam which ends the performance on a high note.
This is a band which is dominated by Aaron’s beautiful piano concoctions, with other instruments used only to compliment them, not playing any key role but rather framing the songs lovingly. Live, vocals prove to be their weak point, lacking in presence and meatiness. Aaron’s effervescent compositions demand the presentation they deserve, timid just doesn’t cut it. With their second EP already in the works though, things might just get more interesting.
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