At one time or another, many of us music nerds will have felt the comfortable certainty of finding a record label that we could trust absolutely. I've had that feeling myself a number of times over the years - Trojan, Two Tone, Sugarhill for instance, each, for a certain period at least, a trademark of quality. Step forward Broadside Hacks, my current go-to comfort zone of a record label. For the past couple of years, when push notifications ping to inform me of a forthcoming new release, I know that I can confidently open my wallet and hand over the readies.
There'll be be more Broadside Hacks gubbins before this short series is out, but for today I'm focusing my attention on 'Tinderbox', the debut LP from Myer U Clark. Atypically, when compared to much of the label's output, 'Tinderbox' isn't made up of contemporary renderings of the trad/arr songbook, but rather is a warm and wonky self-penned affair, with echoes of the Kevin Ayers end of the Canterbury Scene. Myer's music has a distinct, quirky charm that only tightens its grip with successive listens. One to spend time with.
I was at a gig promoted by Broadside Hacks just last night.
ReplyDeleteI'm keen to learn about trad/arr. Does it involve pirates?
ReplyDeleteErnie: I know. There've been a couple of BH shows recently that I would like to have attended, including last night.
ReplyDeleteJohn: Ba-dum-tish!
Bloodshot was my label of choice back in the day.
ReplyDeleteIt was a genuine question, TS. what is arr or indeed trad arr. Is it a genre/pigeonhole that's passed me by?
ReplyDelete"Traditional, arranged by". So folk music really, but sometimes spruced up
ReplyDelete