It was a late arrival for me at Smiths for a visiting Swedish band called Lovi did this. Now this seemed like a metal outfit with no drums or an indie excursion, with the description Twin Peaks-pop. Late but I was expecting to hear most of the second set but the band just played one set, so my exposure was limited, but I loved what I heard. The music and lyrics are from singer Karin up front. Apparently, it's largely a solo studio endeavour with the band called in for gigs. Given funding, she was just supported by three others for this tour, bass and two guitars, but Mathias told me of a bigger outfit for European concerts, to 10 players, even with theremin. Now this is interesting! From the few songs I heard and the patter, Karin plays with serious themes with honesty and curiosity. I came in during (Are you the) Dog or the bone, heavy, insistent, offbeat rhythms interspersed with contemplative electronica and inquiring lyrics about power in relationships. Then another in response to the death of a friend, and a final few tunes in Swedish, the second introduced as a melancholic Swedish wedding song, but beautiful like love. There's an honesty here that's obvious but also somewhat obscured by subtle lyrics. It's how I like it. My hearing was too short, but I was taken by it. So a chat with band and I learned more: about the tour and the band back home and the interest in travelling to Australia and the opportunity to visit during major political events, the Voice referendum and the NZ election. And that 12 Oct was International Hug a Bassist Day. Well, I never! No doubt, we deserve it! [Apparently drummers got their day on 10 Oct]. So did Karin with her intimate, intriguing and insistent music. I wish I'd heard more. Have a listen on Bandcamp, Spotify...
Lovi did this performed at Smiths during their tour from Sweden. Ldt are Karin Beckérus (vocals, compositions, omnichord, melodion) backed by Sofia Ström (guitar), Tomas Isacsson (guitar) and Mathias Elovsson (bass).
This is CJBlog post no. 2,700
No comments:
Post a Comment