The latest gig on our A to Z Musical Tour was ……
In this post we review SISTER JOHN, with support from DRAPED APES
As we’ve discovered on our A to Z Musical Tour, there are a number of fine venues across Glasgow airing live music on any night of the week.
Last night, we ventured into Renfield Lane for a first visit to The Old Hairdressers to find yet another hidden gem or two or even three, as Glasgow label Last Night From Glasgow showcased another couple of bands they release music for.
The headline act Sister John have been recording music for a number of years now and are currently in the process of producing songs for their fourth album.
Like many acts, the live performance of songs recorded in the studio, brings out nuances which enhance the songs the audience have already become familiar with and are no doubt the reason many come out to watch the band play.
Theirs is a mix of country and country rock. Listening to vocalist Amanda McKeown it is easy to understand why the country influence sits well with the songs they write and play, it is very easy on the ear.
Along with Sophie Pragnell on drums and violin, Heather Phillips on violin, bass and keyboards and the irrepressible Jonathan Lilley on acoustic and electric guitar, Sister John are a band who play serious music without taking themselves seriously at the same time. There is humour throughout the set. There is an appreciation of an audience in front of them, giving up their time to watch them play.
From a personal perspective, when Jonathan moved to electric guitar, the songs became grittier allowing the band to raise the tempo and give the audience something to bob and weave to.
The Old Hairdressers may be a small venue, however Sister John can be well pleased with their performance and the audience reaction that ensured may more nights like this to come.
Support Act
Draped Apes
If Sister John was the catalyst for many to attend the gig, Draped Apes could be justified in claiming joint top-billing when they visited Glasgow for the very first time to play. Coming from America as part of a UK tour, then it certainly gave an international perspective to the evening.
Draped Apes is the name of the latest project fronted by Tim Cheplick with the set list made up of recently recorded tracks merged with those from a previous incarnation, Andre Salvador and the Von Kings.
Though hailing from New York, the band are currently residing in the Nashville area which would suggest a country vibe to their music. And while there may be influences seeping through on some of the tracks, there was a definite hint of a more psychedelic / indie feel to the songs played out on the night.
There was something about the song structures, with mid song beat changes, that deserve a second listening to the band’s recordings to date.
We’ll get a second airing of the band’s music when they appear at Websters on Sunday night. By that time, some of us may be a bit more familiar with some of the tracks that will no doubt form part of their set.
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