The Rosebuds at Dulcimer, Chorlton, Manchester (10/5/09) ♥ photo by Duncan Tour Dates 10/09/09 Le Saint Des Seins Toulouse
10/10/09 Jazz Club Vic 10/12/09 FNAC In-Store Barcelona 10/13/09 El Loco Club Valencia 10/14/09 Moby Dick Club Madrid 10/15/09 12 y Medio Club Murcia 10/16/09 Zeppelin Club Salou 10/17/09 Sala Be Cool* Barcelona 10/19/09 Bad Bonn* Duedingen 10/21/09 Feierwerk* Munich 10/22/09 Alte Feuerwache* Mannheim 10/23/09 Banhof Langendreer* Bochum 10/25/09 Beatpol Dresden 10/26/09 Lido* Berlin 10/27/09 Knust* Hamburg 10/28/09 Melkweg* Amsterdam *with Telekinesis and the Thermals |
The Rosebuds appear on almost all my compilation mixes for friends that I'm getting to know, like a friend that you can trust to leave in the company of unfamiliar friends and feel confident in the knowledge that they'll almost certainly get on. I like The Rosebuds, they play big dreamy bitter-sweet pop songs, with 'shalala' backing vocals, jangly guitars and boy/girl duets consisting of warm Northern Carolina drawls.
Never venturing to these shores before, tonight they perform a getting to know you set before a mooted full tour in the Spring. Ivan dons an artful dodger cap and toy acoustic guitar, whilst Kelly clutching an ornate accordion almost half her size - they waltz the floorboards flirting right amongst the welcoming audience. They mingle well, we don't hear many North Carolina accents around these Manchester parts. The conversation is good, Kelly and Ivan riffing off each other, but Ivan clearly more confident than his shyer other half. No microphones, just shouting from the top of our lungs, no drums just tapping feet and audience rhythms. Songs like 'Boxcar' and 'Leaves do fall' undoubtedly miss the big band reverb as they stumble through a little awkwardly, but its a delightful treat to experience the songs up close. 'Nice Fox' however seems written for such audience participation occasions – altogether now 'and it don't mean nothin' at all'... High fives all round for the congregating crowd closes the proceedings before Ivan readies himself to join the band for the headline act.
I had a brief chat with headline act Telekinesis (a.k.a Michael Lerner) whilst he was setting up the merchandise stall before the show, amongst other things the conversation covered Michael's disappointment that a once awe inspiring sandwich is no longer served at a Manchester Art gallery cafe. I was impressed to learn the reason he knew Manchester so well was his year spent at Paul McCartney's performing arts school - there's plenty of performing arts schools along the expanse in between Seattle, Washington and Liverpool, England I thought to myself.
Lerner performs the début album (Telekinesis!) from behind his native drum-kit, and from the way he takes to the stage drum stool with a 'she loves you' shaking of the head, prominent nasal delivery and a more bulletproof version of the Ringo drum beat - suddenly the efforts behind the year spent in Liverpool become easier to understand.
“Apologies that we're so loud in comparison to the Rosebuds - We're a rock and roll band from Seattle, Washington after all – well a third of us are” referring to Carolina natives Ivan and guitarist BJ. My ringing ears agree, the energetic songs are propelled by Lerner's pounding drums – he plays a mean drum roll too. The first songs in the set instantly appeal, and a rock'n'roll 1960's inspired Technicolor musical palette is well established. Set highlights 'Tokyo' and 'Coast of Carolina' encourage further, Death Cab melodies graduated from Beatle school propelled by said explosive drums and BJ's guitar driving at full thrust. Further listening reveals glimpses of introspective throwaway lyrics embodied by heartbreak and frustration.
Before the set closes Lerner trades the drum stool for an acoustic guitar, this is where Lerner prepares us for a sad lament about his heart rusting away. “This is a song called Rust, its about a waitress from a Manchester art gallery that I'd go stare at”. I'd be sorry for him like the rest of the audience, but with my insider knowledge... I say 'chin up Telekinesis' it makes for good song material and hey 'tomorrow there'll be other sandwiches'.
10/07/2009 20:11:02 ♥ duncan () ♥ therosebuds.com/myspace ♥ telekinesismusic.com/myspace