It was a humid night and the streets of Dalston were bustling with people heading out to the various clubs and bars. I was on route to Birthdays for the Clash Magazine and EASTnotEAST club night featuring live sets from Fyfe, Jamie Isaac and Nick Brewer.
Having arrived I was greeted with a relaxed venue with dining space and bar with a gig area downstairs. The venue was busy with groups of friends inside chatting and sitting in the outdoor seating area on the street. I soaked up the atmosphere and thought this is a fun place I could imagine celebrating my birthday at with my mates. I liked the neon red screen flashing by the list of cocktails in a hypnotic manner.
The gig area downstairs was a big, wooden dance hall space decorated with posters of bands that had played at the venue and upcoming acts. The sound system was good and ‘DJ God Hard’ played sets featuring some dub and reggae music in-between acts including a crowd favourite ‘Daddy was a bank robber’ from The Clash.
First act up was Nick Brewer, a rapper with drummer and guitarist. Launching into ‘Nikes on my feet’ Nick got the crowd involved singing the hook ‘The Nikes on my feet keep me kind of complete’. Exuding confidence and amiable charm he introduced himself as hailing from Essex and working as a youth worker. There were many fans in the audience singing along during the set. Next track ‘Sun in your Eyes’ was delivered with poetic fervour accompanied by a soulful melody from the guitar. This was my favourite track from the set followed by ‘So Good’, a song Nick wrote for his girlfriend. Next track ‘Me and my Pen’ is about Nick’s love of writing lyrics. The set concluded with ‘Close’ which is ‘the most personal song ever written about someone important to him’ says Nick. As the track unfolds we learn that it is about his mum.
Penultimate act ‘Jamie Isaac’, accompanied with band members playing electric guitar and synthesiser keyboard declares he is “here to mellow us out”. The first track played is the title track from the new EP coming out in November. The thumping heart beat sound in the track complements Jamie’s soft, classical voice and by the end of the track a mellow vibe has settled over the room. Next Jamie plays a track from the atmospheric ‘Night Bus’ compilation CD which came out in May through MelodicaRecordings. The set closed with ‘I will be cold soon’, the title track from the debut EP. The audience cheered loudly after snapping out of a peaceful trance as the haunting beats and piano tones played out.
Final act ‘Fyfe’, consisting of drummer and singer with electric guitar entered the stage. First track ‘Real Life’ showcased Fyfe’s soulful vocals and warmed up the audience. Fyfe later informed us that the drummer ‘David’ deserved another extra cheer as he had the unfortunate experience of finding a maggot in his burger prior to heading to the venue for the gig. I hasten to add (as did Fyfe) this was not a burger purchased at the venue. Next track ‘Conversations’, Fyfe’s most recent track was greeted with loud cheers and has already garnered appreciation from a growing fan base keeping abreast of the latest offerings from the band. The mixture of the atmospheric, poppy beats and catchy, shoe gazing lyrics make you want to sing along. Fyfe ended their set with ‘Solace’ from their ‘Solace’ EP. With it’s chilled out pop sound ‘Solace’ proved to be another favourite which got the audience swaying on their feet.
The crowd were in a buoyant mood and ready to party on to the DJ sets spilling out of the massive sound system. Clash Magazine and EASTnotEAST continue their new monthly residency at Birthdays in Dalston. Come along next month and check it out!
http://youtu.be/-zLQt-vR8WA
