Presented by Five Four Entertainment
@ The Ed Castle
SATURDAY 3rd March

Cardigans, doc martins and a whole lot of drumsticks. The ultra-hipster crew from Slow Club simply oozed cool the moment they waltzed onto the stage. After making their way through the crowd with timid smiles, they jumped eagerly into song. No time for a proper soundcheck, they simply made gestures with their fingers as they played, adjusting the equipment as they went – they clearly love what they do. And so did the audience.

The british boy/girl duo, along with their gorgeous drummer and adorkable bass guitarist/saxophonist delivered an utterly joyful selection of eclectic indie folk rock, inducing a wave of smiles on crowd-faces. Their label ‘Popfrenzy Records’ describes their sound perfectly as “swooning but raucous doo-wop and soul-inspired rock.” I couldn’t have put it better myself. Seriously.

Slow Club are made up of Charles Watson, the über-cool guitarist and vocalist who looks as if he’s stepped right off Cambridge Unviersity campus, and Rebecca Taylor who seems to be a jack-of-all-trades. She switches sporadically from vocals, drumming, percussion and guitar, her long blonde hair flicking about as she floats around the stage. The pair have an almost Angus and Julia- esque feel about them – with exceptional lyrics, beautiful melodies and a wonderful musical relationship and passion.

This is something the whole band was bursting with. Passion. Something too rare these days, in my opinion; passion and a genuine love for what your do is so rewarding to see as an audience member. Watching the very down-to-earth band smile and laugh with each other, you simply couldn’t help but get that gushy, soul-quenching feeling at the pit of your stomach…you know, the one rainbows and Carebears are made of. You’ll giggle too, as they chat to the audience and each other candidly…”we fucked that bit up!”…And with stellar music too, you’ve got a win-win!

Making me feel somewhat inferior as a human being, the incredibly talented bunch flitted about the stage, each taking their turn at drumming, guitar-playing and singing. There is something magical about watching them change around, as if you are in their backyard garage studio while they practice (or ‘jam’ as I believe the muso’s would call it). Utterly glorious to watch and pure porn for the ears.

The music is almost a mash-up of fun beats the likes of Architecture in Helsinki meets Noah and the Whale, with orgasmic drumming sessions that channel Gotye, and stunning acoustic melodies akin to The Whitlams. I could go on, or I could just tell you to get the CDs. That’s exactly what I did.

Their two albums, Yeah So (2009) and Paradise (2011) have both received truck-loads of love in the UK, both equally compelling and addictive.

Slow Club are the epitome of what good music should be – something that makes more than your feet tap, and more than your lips raise a smile. It’s as good as a good wedge of chocolate cake, sunshine on your back and sand in your toes. It is food for the soul. Shakespeare once said, “if music be the food of love, play on.” I say play on, Slow Club, play on.