PHOSPHENES / BORIS A BONO / JOHANA HARTWIG | LIVE REVIEW
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Fri 23 June
First act of the night, Johana Hartwig, with band in tow, introduced a sense of peppiness to proceedings, delivering wailing vocals whilst switching between command of the xylophone and violin, using both to create eclectic, often vivid fare. The addition of bubbling synth soundscapes and a cajón helped in conjuring what could be defined as quasi-trip-hop with loose ska leanings. However, there were moments that incongruously hinted at the anarchic spirit of Sonic Youth coupled with the twee tones of Saint Etienne. With trippy visuals framing the set and moments of light relief involving a mini trampoline, spirits were roused ahead of the two further acts of the night.
Having reviewed Boris A Bono alongside Man Without Country a few years ago, it was clear then that, where others fade with fickle, faddish and often superficial material, the producer/performer has the creative authenticity and spark to persevere. Deploying, with serene synth, output from recent EP Epoch, the Cardiff-based artist rolled through gravel-voiced crooning, which both subverted and complimented the chiming electronic ambience. A sound that at times proved comparable to Lynchian mainstay Julee Cruise and the output of dreampop pioneers The Cocteau Twins.
Headliners Phosphenes [pictured] summoned up a dub-drenched performance for their debut gig outing, Reb Elle’s Blondie-esque vocals acting to propel a genre-bending sound, veering between early 80s new wave, reggae and desert rock, perhaps best described as Martha And The Muffins meets L.A. Woman-era Doors. This seemed a formula designed to prompt revelry and hypnotic trance-like verve, as evidenced by the swaying ranks of punters coalescing near the band. The outfit’s combined funk-fuelled efforts proved that apart from their knack for blending influences, they expertly manage to gain rave-like fervour from a crowd, no doubt gaining new admirers in the process.
With all three acts proving both effervescent and original, the evening was an apt reminder of the instrumental role of venues like Clwb Ifor Bach in showcasing local talent.
words CHRIS HAMILTON-PEACH photos OLIVE ANGELIQUE
