Jezzebelle- “Down and Out” Single Launch Night-
It’s one of those nights. The heavens have just opened and a heavy-weight on steroids couldn’t lift you from the couch. To make matters worse Pineapple dance studio’s very own Louis Spence has just lunged into your T.V, shaking his hips, screaming, “Watch me darling, watch me!!!”
The only option is to push the boat out, grab the next cab to Whelans and face the music (literally). Once you get there it’s all forgotten about. Who ever thought of sticking that fire by the door knew well they were on to a winner.
Broken umbrellas, frizzy hair and in-depth conversations about the state of the taxi industry did not deter fans from attending Jezzebelle’s first ever live performance with their new band. This, I can only conclude, is testament to their talents and enthralling stage presence. I’m telling you, competition from dear old Louis, and they still won out hands down… that says it all right there.
People were still poking their heads round the smoky corner checking out the upstairs venue when the band started their set. They opened with the catchy, up-beat track “Never Coming Back”. Lead singers Katie Carpenter and Gary Burke were well able to get the crowd going. They started by bribing an initially shy audience with “treats” to get them to move forward. The venue had filled up nicely by this stage and it’s not because of all the bounty bars that were flying through the air.
Jezzebelle’s music stands out from the crowd. Its got the rock sound alright but then there’s definite country, folk and bluesy vibes going on too. There seems to be an obsession nowadays with comparing artists to other artists. So, in an effort to comply with this undying trend both my accomplice and I spent much of the set looking for clues. I’m happy to say nothing came to mind. It wasn’t until the group finished their set with a Fleetwood Mac cover, “You can go your own way”, that the revelation came about.
Johnny Cash is probably as country as people are willing to go nowadays but bear with me. Mellow, mood-setting, strummed guitar strings play an enhancing back drop to the sound that is Katie’s voice. Her range impulsively bounces from one octave to the next like a yo-yo on a string. She seems as comfortable with one octave as she is with the next. The addition of three new musicians to the group has only added another dimension to their rare sound. The pair picked up bass player, Will Mullen, while touring the USA. JP from France, on the drums, and Aideen Smith from Dublin, on the electric guitar also bring their own honed skills to the group.
Jezzebelle’s songs are very catchy. You will go away humming them to yourself, but they haven’t gone over-kill with sweet, easy-to-stick-in-your-head, choruses. Their folk-like verses keep it all nice and grounded. The band’s single “Down and Out” was launched that night and demonstrates the musician’s pursuit of perfection. The song was re-worked over and over again for five years until the artists were happy enough to record it only recently. The song opens with spine-tingling vocals from Katie with complimentary guitar strumming before the drums break into an up-beat, dancy rhythm. Gary also adds nice textural undertones with his rich backing vocals. It was definitely the song left in people’s heads as they left the warm, cosy venue.
Jezzebelle have a mass of tour dates coming up and were recently supporting Jack L. You can catch them next on Dublin City FM on April 7th at 8.30pm.
Check out Jezzebelle
http://www.myspace.com/jezzebellemusic
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I love Jezzabelle!!
OLD RED
Great night in all fairness!The bounty bars went down a treat!