Stereo is one of those venues that always bring people together, the kind of space suitable for intimate performances and tonight is no different.
People seem to respect artists much more when there is a sense of congregation and the venue offers this idea that artists are here to entertain people, share a moment in time with them and sometimes even have a drink (or several) with them after the show.
Hiss Golden Messenger is no ordinary band, the bond that unites those four musicians seems extremely deep and goes beyond playing music altogether; all of them were friends before starting a band, which makes their music warmer and more accessible.
Proof of this airtight friendship, that links those four gentlemen, is the support who is no other than guitarist Phil Cook from Hiss Golden Messenger.
With a few songs he is able to make the crowd stand up, his light-heartedness and sincerity transpiring throughout the handful of songs; he is even joined by the full band for his last track, bringing everyone together cheerfully.
When the band finally comes in, there is no need for introduction and when ‘Brother, Do You Know The Road?’ kicks in, a mellow frenzy has already won over the audience.
There is a secret ingredient to the functioning of this band, something special that makes the music smooth and impeccable, but like a good magic trick it is better not to know what the secret is.
From ‘Lucia’ to ‘Mahogany Dread’ the band works its way through the new opus that was released back in September.
The audience appreciates the mid-tracks interventions, the band is comfortable talking to perfect strangers, cracking jokes and trying to express what music represents to them.
With Dylan-esque musical echoes, M.C Taylor’s voice reverberates effortlessly around the venue, fascinating the audience like a North Carolina rattlesnake charmer.
About 20-minutes before the end on the show, the frontman explains that music should always have a groove and that nowadays musicians always forget that music is mostly all about rhythm.
The band goes through a lot of material, even granting the audience with a singular rendition of ‘Angry Blues’, originally performed by James Taylor.
What is striking about Hiss Golden Messenger’s music is the authenticity with which it is played; it is the kind of music that makes you feels nostalgic for a time you have never lived through and a place you have never known, but still feel some attachments to it.
Hiss Golden Messenger is a band that plays with the mystical powers of music and does it right.
Words: Jeremy Veyret
Photos: Iain McDonagh
