Au Revoir Simone
Nice ‘n’ Sleazy - February 27th 2007
It’s a brave soul who’ll sit cross legged on the floor in Sleazy’s, exposing their rear end to years of spilled beer, Glasgow pavement sludge and the odd spew stain.
It’s also somewhat disconcerting to witness, with the row of lotus legged gig goers lounging in front of the stage at tonight’s show calling to mind a toddlers group settling down for pre-afternoon nap story time.
The ‘I’m so laid back I’m horizontal’ vibe permeates the pre-gig atmosphere, chiming nicely with the little I know about tonight’s headliners, New York based purveyors of floaty, airy, keyboard indie, Au Revoir Simone.
First support act Wake the President kick off proceedings by shocking the lazy arses down the front to their feet with a ten minute long thrash metal number.
Not really.
The Glasgow four piece walk a fine line, following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Belle and Sebastian, Arab Strap and even Del Amitri by pulling off lyrics which are both sardonic and self deprecating and melodies at once mellow and jaunty. They even manage to get away with copious jumper wearing and trousers with braces, a talent in itself.
Second up are the intriguingly named Down the Tiny Steps, self proclaimed ‘folk-rockers’ fronted by Fence Collective collaborator Jonnie Common. Jonnie delivers his lyrics in a half Scots rap, half sung monologue while the band behind him veer wildly between folk, acoustic pop, morose indie, funk and electronica. The guitarist’s Hank Marvinesque moments and Common’s witty lyrical observations prompt my mate to describe them as “The Divine Comedy meets The Shadows” which seems as good a description as any.
When Au Revoir Simone finally glide on stage, it’s a bit like that scene in Lord of the Rings where the hobbits are awestruck after seeing the elves in the forest. The three women exude an air of willowy, ethereal, arty cool which makes everyone else in the room seem a lot shorter, grubbier and, well, Scottish.
Any impression of aloofness disappears as soon as ‘the Simone’ get underway. Their dreamy, unaffected indie pop is endearingly interspersed with rambling onstage digressions about how great Glasgow is and a mini stage invasion by some (politely) eager fans.
It’s no small feat for a solely keyboard based band to sustain an atmosphere in a live setting, but the set ebbs and flows nicely, the band alternating perfectly between catchy, upbeat synth numbers and soporific, wistful tunes reminiscent of Stereolab and Air.
By the time the lights come back up, Au Revoir Simone have floated off again, leaving a gaggle of dreamy eyed hobbits to wander upstairs and back into the rainy reality of Sauchiehall Street in February. If the band’s hectic touring schedule is anything to go by though, it won’t be long before they grace us with their presence again. Au Revoir then, but not goodbye.
It’s a brave soul who’ll sit cross legged on the floor in Sleazy’s, exposing their rear end to years of spilled beer, Glasgow pavement sludge and the odd spew stain.
It’s also somewhat disconcerting to witness, with the row of lotus legged gig goers lounging in front of the stage at tonight’s show calling to mind a toddlers group settling down for pre-afternoon nap story time.
The ‘I’m so laid back I’m horizontal’ vibe permeates the pre-gig atmosphere, chiming nicely with the little I know about tonight’s headliners, New York based purveyors of floaty, airy, keyboard indie, Au Revoir Simone.
First support act Wake the President kick off proceedings by shocking the lazy arses down the front to their feet with a ten minute long thrash metal number.
Not really.
The Glasgow four piece walk a fine line, following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Belle and Sebastian, Arab Strap and even Del Amitri by pulling off lyrics which are both sardonic and self deprecating and melodies at once mellow and jaunty. They even manage to get away with copious jumper wearing and trousers with braces, a talent in itself.Second up are the intriguingly named Down the Tiny Steps, self proclaimed ‘folk-rockers’ fronted by Fence Collective collaborator Jonnie Common. Jonnie delivers his lyrics in a half Scots rap, half sung monologue while the band behind him veer wildly between folk, acoustic pop, morose indie, funk and electronica. The guitarist’s Hank Marvinesque moments and Common’s witty lyrical observations prompt my mate to describe them as “The Divine Comedy meets The Shadows” which seems as good a description as any.
When Au Revoir Simone finally glide on stage, it’s a bit like that scene in Lord of the Rings where the hobbits are awestruck after seeing the elves in the forest. The three women exude an air of willowy, ethereal, arty cool which makes everyone else in the room seem a lot shorter, grubbier and, well, Scottish.
Any impression of aloofness disappears as soon as ‘the Simone’ get underway. Their dreamy, unaffected indie pop is endearingly interspersed with rambling onstage digressions about how great Glasgow is and a mini stage invasion by some (politely) eager fans.
It’s no small feat for a solely keyboard based band to sustain an atmosphere in a live setting, but the set ebbs and flows nicely, the band alternating perfectly between catchy, upbeat synth numbers and soporific, wistful tunes reminiscent of Stereolab and Air.
By the time the lights come back up, Au Revoir Simone have floated off again, leaving a gaggle of dreamy eyed hobbits to wander upstairs and back into the rainy reality of Sauchiehall Street in February. If the band’s hectic touring schedule is anything to go by though, it won’t be long before they grace us with their presence again. Au Revoir then, but not goodbye.
> Annie McLaughlin
