Tag: astral ponies

Milkman hours with grandkids visiting it was inevitable a five hour day shift was all I was physically able to put into this year’s Swindon Shuffle. Apologies, but it was plenty to tell they knocked it out of the park again this year…..

They don’t even need a park. Just a selection of Old Town’s finest watering holes, live music hunters, bucket collectors, sound technicians and only the damn finest collective of musicians we have around here. Such is the magnitude of this beast if you camped on the roundabout at the top of Vic hill for the whole thing you’d still miss something. I measure its success by the expression of fatigue on chief organiser Ed Dyer’s face and kindly remind him he still has a day to go, but I can only tell you what I saw.

The Shuffle is a Swindon institution, a convention for local musicians, and an opportunity for me to meet with other media types like Jamie of the Ink and Dave of Dancing About Architecture. It also serves as an indication that if Eddie Prestidge and myself have spawned The Wiltshire Music Awards this year, our sponsorship with Stone Circle securing its future years is essential, because we’ve only scratched the surface of the quality and quantity of talent in our area. For the most though, it’s a free and unmissable local music showcase raising vital funds for Prospect Hospice.

I divide the options into three variables; safe bets I’ve seen before, ones I must cross off my must-see list, and ones where I’m taking a gamble and going in blind. My only dilemma is the arrangement of them. Thankfully, while clashes are inevitable, the program is so neatly designed with consideration and expertise, each pub staggering their individual schedules every quarter of an hour, and daytime and evening sessions in neighbouring locations, so there’s the potential to stagger and catch at least a bit of all.

Harmony Asia

Safe bets firstly. My rush to get into Old Town, park up and get to the Pulpit was for Chippenham’s soulful singer-songwriter Harmony Asia. Harmony had just taken to the fireplace setting and was performing her succinct and poignantly self-penned acoustic marvels. If they’re written concisely in plain and contemporary language without cryptic riddles, it’s the delivery of them which holds a crowd spellbound. And they were, Harmony charms.

Jol Rose

The only other assured expert I paid a visit to was again at The Pulpit, a comfy new bar on Devizes Road, and that was Americana marvel Jol Rose. Stalwart and reputable, Jol is Swindon’s answer to Woody Guthrie and only a fraction away from that level of brilliance. 

A Dylan-esque genius in all modest manners and labour, who’ll encapsulate his audience with ease, and deliver the diverse offerings of a sublime yet prolific wordsmith. Jol is a testament to the wealth of an acoustic singer-songwriter, who could pen a dejected romance song, or, as he also did, make a social or political statement with poetic divinity. 

Between The Lines 

Hey look, I’ve been here before, aware the evening was young, and a plethora of accomplished bands would shake up the Beehive, Castle and Hop. Tuckered out and the patient and understanding wife twisting my arm with the promise of a homemade lasagne, I confess, I caved, it’s an age thing; but was determined not to until I crossed Between the Lines off my must-see list. If decisions are standard with the Shuffle’s exhaustive roster, this was the best one I made.

Rarely a debut single would be rewarded with an interview on Devizine, yet Melksham’s upcoming indie-rock quartet Between the Lines impressed me to be that rarity, back in February. Since I’ve been dying to catch this band I hailed “Melksham’s next big teen sensation.” So, I’m at the grand looking Hop, and they didn’t lower my expectations any. 

Rather, picking up on their fantastic universal appeal live, I might have to take back the “teen sensation” label, because they played out their beguiling originals sprinkled with some aptly chosen covers with such skill, any age could appreciate. One an early Beatles classic covered accurately, another, Tears for Fears’ Mad World, which they truly made their own.

Between The Lines appeared no more hesitant nor timid than I’d have expected; accosting them outside prior with the excitement of Spongebob probably didn’t help! All aged around seventeen, being recognised on the streets of a town they’ve never played in by an aging toothless baldy could have a negative impact! But I’m confident stage presence will come naturally with experience, because they absolutely rocked it as the crowd grew, nodding to the obvious potential of this promising band.

With an EP in the pipeline, I’m not going to shut up about them until you take heed.

Emma Doupé

The second welcomingly crossed off the must-see list was also the biggest surprise; attired punk-goth was deceiving to any preconceptions I may’ve brought with me. I’ve heard of Emma Doupé but was oblivious on what to expect. Needless to say, Emma has been called into action by the Shuffle team four times in a row, ergo, it was a nice surprise.

Goth, she might go there, but from the off it was clear she has the skill and experimental daring to go wherever she chooses. So diverse, any signs of any subgenre at all were subtly placed. Rather, Doupé is a sublime vocalist with dynamic range, to perform her originals soulfully or operatic soprano at will, and over loops, Stratus piano and autoharp, her fashion is unique and inspiringly alternative.

Her band, The Crystal Wolf Project would showcase her in an alternative electronica trio later at The Hop, apparently. Missed it, shameful I know, but her solo performance at The Tuppenny was enough to swap Emma Doupé into my safe bet category, with or without backing.

Weather

Another topping my must-see list marked safe from being dull. I heard a Weather track on Peggy-Sue’s Don’t Stop The Music Show when attending, and kept one eye on Brandon Clarke since. With the vocal style of Lewis Capaldi and boldness of Rag n Bone Man, this is damn good contemporary crossover pop you cannot ignore.

A forthright charismatic millennial Swindon showman, Weather is one you must watch if you want or not. His singles are heartfelt and moving shifts of emotive indie-nu-soul. In a lively pub environment it may not have gone down so well as when recorded or at a venue gig dedicated to his following.

Opting then to sing, rap and encourage the crowds over his prerecorded tracks like James Corden with swagger, seems Weather is here for the laugh, and it’s delightfully infectious. He could rouse a crowd of librarians to stage dive! The Tuppenny was positively bouncing….at around 6pm!

Ellis Evason

For the other few I was going in blind. Had to wonder how Ellis Evason would top Weather’s astounding crowd-pleasing blast, then realised I was jesting with him outside, and he was abruptly confident he would; such is hip hop’s general bravissimo. He had such, but was far from the archetypal rapper.

If he upstaged was debatable, but he certainly equalled Weather. Meatloaf in appearance, Eminem in rap mode, Ellis Evason undoubtedly entertained, and raised the roof with raps reflecting exactly this contradiction; surely a stroke of jazzy genius. Chunky bass-driven beats, lyrically waxed to hone his identity and purpose with precision, Ellis Evason pulled in an entourage and rocked the remaining punters respectively. It was a showstopper.

Dave Corrigan

Between Harmony and Jol was a name I’d heard but not seen. The guide describes David Corrigan as a “reasonably reclusive singer-songwriter” who more recently has been concentrating fronting the renowned Astral Ponies, so maybe that’s the reason. He performed with certain ease, though, stripped back Astral songs, a few new ones, and was a delight to catch, if only for a few songs.

Grasslands

If we’re onto the gambles, I navigated the road block to arrive at The Tuppenny, a wonderful new favourite Swindon pub for me, where if the music isn’t to your taste you can read the DIY Beano comic wallpaper in the loo with fond memories! But rarely will it be. One man band Grasslands is wafting gorgeous and mellow experimental rock and folktronic soundscapes, in a fetching fluffy wolf hat; enjoyable.

Summary

For the novice local live music hunter, Swindon Shuffle is one of the most revealing voyages of discovery around the Southwest, and likely the only one without a fee attached. For the more experienced it’s an unearthing of upcoming acts and a vital reunion. For the musician it’s a convention. For the Prospect Hospice it’s a lifeline. For all its amazing, simple. You only need to attend an afternoon to suss this. Someone get me a campervan for next year and book me the weekend off work! 

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