Critically-acclaimed French duo Yeti Lane are playing only one of four UK dates — so it's a coup that they're headlining the latest Wombatwombat night on a special mid-summer show. Plus: Warsaw Village Band, Amelia Curran, Henrik Freischlader.
YETI LANE
Norwich Arts Centre, June 22
Critically-acclaimed French duo Yeti Lane play only one of four UK dates when they headline this Wombatwombat special mid-summer show.
The Parisian psych-pop/shoegazing/space-rock wall-of-noise multi-instrumental duo — Ben Pleng and Charlie B, previously half of Cyann and Ben — are visiting Norwich for the first time to promote their just released new single, Warning Sensations.
The pair's second album The Echo Show was unleashed in March by London's super-cool Sonic Cathedral label to general adoration and is already hotly-tipped by influential taste-makers to be gracing end-of-year lists, making this a gig that really shouldn't be missed.
There is extra excitement too as main support comes from Norwich's experimental/post-rockers and equipment builders extraordinaire Collider who are launching Treehouse, their second single through UEA-based Ziggurat Creative.
Norwich-based openers The Thinking Men also boast a truly eclectic package of influences and instruments.
Meanwhile in the bar, Howlback Hum presents Master Solo, The Gore Vidals, Ruby Nectar, the Purple Rats and DJ Tony Moje.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/yetilane
WARSAW VILLAGE BAND
Norwich Arts Centre, June 23
The enchantingly fervent Polish outfit play the folk music of their homeland on frame drums, hurdy-gurdy, Jew's harp and suka — a Polish folk fiddle stopped with the fingernails rather than the fingers — but add contemporary twists (including even, on occasion, hip hop scratching) and socio-politically conscious lyrics.
Here they host an evening based on their new album Nord, which explores the artistic common ground between the Slavs, Scandinavians and Aboriginal peoples of the north.
The relationships of the countries of the North have a long history. The Vikings invaded Polish lands in the Middle Ages and had considerable influence on the Polish state. They also explored deeply into the continent of North America, establishing settlements in present-day Canada.
All of these diverse but related musical influences meet for the first time in the band's Nord project. Guests joining them include Swedish cult band Hedningarna and Sandy Scofield, one of the greatest Canadian singer/songwriters, with roots deep in her Indian past.
t Further listening: www.warsawvillageband.net
AMELIA CURRAN
The Bicycle Shop, June 26
The Bicycle Shop continues its recent run of welcoming Canadian artists. Singer-songwriter Amelia Curran started playing guitar and writing songs as a teenager and eventually dropped out of university in order to busk on the streets of her native town of St John's in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Now based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, her music has been described as being a bit like Leonard Cohen being channelled in a dusty saloon by Patsy Cline. Soulful, heartfelt and in a folk-blues vein, it features skilled instrumentation, though the cornerstone remains Amelia's fabulous voice.
She released her first album Barricade in 2000 and since then she has released four more including Trip Down Little Road, Lullaby for Barflies, Hunter Hunter and War Brides.
The later saw her nominated for Female Artist of the Year and Folk Album of the Year, and after gaining an international release, has outsold all her previous albums. She was also the subject of an award-winning documentary entitled Move On.
In 2010 she won a Juno Award and first prize of the prestigious USA Songwriting Competition. She is currently finishing a new album so expect to hear new tracks.
t Further listening: www.ameliacurran.com
HENRIK FREISCHLADER
Waterfront, June 27
A beret-wearing German may not be everyone's idea of a blues guitarist but Henrik Freischlader has built up a strong following for his modern take on traditional blues licks.
In the past four years, Henrik has released three well received albums and played over 550 concerts, which catapulted him to the top of the European blues scene.
A self-taught musician, a multi-instrumentalist and a composer, he started his career as a blues guitarist and singer as a teenager in bands such as Lash and Bluescream.
In 2004, he formed the Henrik Freischlader Band and released his first album The Blues in 2006. The follow-up, Get Closer, was released a year later followed by last year's Still Frame Replay.
Freischlader's style of music cannot only be considered blues. He often blends in musical styles such as rock, jazz, soul, and funk, even though blues is the basis of all of his songs
His big break came opening for Joe Bonamassa in 2007, and he has also supported the likes of B.B. King, Gary Moore, Peter Green and Johnny Winter.
While his tours on the continent sell out, he is relatively unknown over here, though a British Blues Awards nomination as 'best overseas artist' suggests that is changing. Support from Ron Sayer Jnr.
t Further listening: www.henrik-freischlader.de
SOUNDS IN THE CITY
TONIGHT
Rick Wakeman's Rock Ensemble (rock) — Open
Wombatwombat: feat. Yeti Lane (indie) — Arts Centre
Dubfront + Jah Tubbys + Foundation Sound (reggae/dub) — Waterfront
Pure Passion + Dead Red (pop/rock) — Brickmakers
The Bunkadoos (pop/rock) — Brewery Tap
Hot Smoke & Danger (blues) — Walnut Tree Shades
Head Room (rock) — King Edward VII
Norwich Folk Club: feat. Sandy Brechin & Ewan Wilkinson (folk) — Christ Church Centre
Mojo Band — The Wine Press
DJ Horsecart (metal/rock) — Olives
Sue Brooks — Lakenham Cock
Vikki H — Fiveways
JUNE 23
Warsaw Village Band (world) — Arts Centre
Tattooed Lies + more (rock/album launch) — Brickmakers
The Bloogs + Big Red Boat (rock/indie/charity) — Waterfront
GI Sounds (rock) — King Edward VII
Burning Crows (rock) — Boundary
Super Action Heroes (rock) — Walnut Tree Shades
Kenny & The Motives (rock'n'roll) — Arkwrights
Dann Star — Old Catton Maids Head
Alan Ley — Trowel & Hammer
Pat James — Keir Hardie hall
Davie J — Angel Gardens
Steve Allan — Heath House
Tony Cann — Quebec Tavern
Andy (Elvis tribute) — The Freed Man
Mickey Spanton — The Windmill
Prism — Sprowston Social Club
JUNE 24
Bloodstock Metal 2: The Masses Band Competition Final: feat. Swarmed + Thirteenth Sign + Then Comes Chaos + Killer Hurts + Sacrilegious Throne (metal) — Waterfront
The Indebtors (folk/pop/3pm) — Brewery Tap
Freeload (pop/rock/4pm) — Boundary
Sun of Cash (country/tribute/3pm) — King Edward VII
Against All Odds (4pm) — Lakenham Cock
Hank Bemarvin (rock'n'roll/tribute/3pm) — The Gordon
Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) — Brickmakers
JUNE 25
The First (rock) — Waterfront Studio
Brickie Session (open mic) — Brickmakers
Jazz Jam: feat. Rich Buddie — Walnut Tree Shades
Jazz Jam (open mic) — B2
JUNE 26
The Sound of The Supremes (pop/soul) — Theatre Royal
Amelia Curran (folk/pop) — Bicycle Shop
The Nigel King Band (60s) — Brickmakers
Destination Swing: feat. Paul Hill & Jasper Smith (jazz) — Rackheath Green Man
Jam Night (open mic) — Rumsey Wells
JUNE 27
Elkie Brooks (pop/easy) — Theatre Royal
Henrik Freischlader (blues) — Waterfront
Opening Doors: feat. Let Us Procced (pop/rock/charity) — B2
The Hog Troff Showcase (local) — Hog In Armour
Pure Acoustic (open mic) — Brickmakers
JUNE 28
The Pure Floyd Show (rock/tribute) — Playhouse
Stealer (rock) — Brickmakers
Dog Days of Summer (bluegrass/country/folk) — Rose Tavern
Enigma + Caligua + Kings & Crows (indie/rock) — B2
Ghostriders Western Club: feat. Bonnie Diamond (country) — TA Centre
Dr Misfit (rock/blues) — Walnut Tree Shades
Albert Cooper's Jazz Life (jazz) — Rumsey Wells
Johnny Jump Band (blues/rock) — Micawbers Tavern
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