Cosmogramma @ Gwdihw, Cardiff
Sat 8 Dec
Pete Cunningham, founder of Ishmael Ensemble, is a multi-instrumentalist who incorporates live saxophone performance into DJ sets. Recently paying respects to drum’n’bass legend Roni Size and Reprazent in a Vinyl Factory mix, that catholic taste and versatility, makes the Ensemble’s debut at Gwdihw this December a welcome one.
Having joined his first band aged nine, Cunningham has always been ahead of his time. The creation of Ishmael Ensemble came about from the protagonist simply having too few hands to give the audience everything he envisioned. Consisting of former school friends Stephen Mullins on guitar and Jake Spurgeon on keys, plus friend-of-friend drummer Rory O’Gorman, Cunningham’s presence at the centre draws on a lifetime of jazz and experimental music. Not often working with concepts, Cunningham prefers to go with the flow and trust what feels right.
Ishmael Ensemble released Severn Songs 2 in October inspired by the band’s Bristolian roots and the local River Severn. Cunningham has often praised the Bristol music scene, one which has provided masses of inspiration and is a huge factor in his artistic vision. Indeed, Cunningham’s own home became a hub for various DJs and MCs from the locale when he was growing up, the resulting environment exposing him to all sorts of genres from house to jungle and drum’n’bass. The certified cool kid, Cunningham has had his fingers in all sorts of musical pies; with a track record of experimentation, his style is hard to pinpoint. Which might be just how he intended it.
Never afraid to step outside of the box, expect originality and danceability in equal measure from an Ishmael Ensemble live show. Check out the band’s debut record Songs For Knotty, on the clubbers-fave Banoffee Pies label, for a preview of sorts. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the band’s name comes from the opening line in Moby Dick, which Cunningham was reading whilst the formation of the band was born. YASMIN GRANT
Tickets: £4. Info: 029 2039 7933 / www.gwdihw.co.uk