Blue
States, originally the solo project of Brighton-based
Andy Dragazis, emerged four years ago with a handful
of 12 inches and an album, Nothing Changes Under
The Sun, released in 2000 on rising London label
Memphis Industries, blended luscious, mostly electronic,
instrumental pop. Dragazis quietly established his sound
alongside Bent and Zero 7, gaining recognition on all
sides. Now a six-piece band, Blue States are about to
release their first new material in over two years,
with a single, Metro Sound, in July, followed
a month later by an album, entitled Man
Mountain, released jointly by Memphis Industries
and XL Recordings.
The choice
of a small venue suited the intimate nature of the music
perfectly. Playing a mix of old and new songs, Blue
States offered a brilliant performance, particularly
well received by the hundred or so fans who had braved
the rain for the occasion. In Dragazis’s own words,
playing in London is not just another gig, and the tension
was slightly perceptible when the band got on stage,
the man just daring a quick “Good evening, we are Blue
States” before getting down to business.
Kicking
off with the forthcoming single, Metro Sound,
Dragazis and crew went on to play a couple of old tracks
before singer Tahita “Try” Bulmer took to the front
of the stage for two new tracks. Originally brought
in for just one gig, Bulmer and Dragazis hit it off
straight away, the singer, handling the set pretty well,
rapidly became a permanent member of the band, bringing
a perfectly suitable shine to the music. Following some
more instrumentals moments, Bulmer returned for a superb
rendition of Your Girl, giving the song an
impressive soulful twist. With an emphasis on vocal
tracks for the new material, with the evocative What
We’ve Won, Only Today and Doublespeak
clearly satisfying the crowd, and a more traditional
approach (guitars, bass, piano and drums), Blue States
have emulated the delicate mood of the first album and
developed a fresh and enduring sound.
After just
over an hour on stage, Andy Dragazis announced the last
song, but the crowd was not about to leave without an
encore. It provided the perfect opportunity for the
band to preview one more new song, once again led by
Bulmer’s bitter-sweet voice, before concluding with
an incendiary version of live favourite Elios Therapia.
By then, the six-some were definitely enjoying themselves,
clearly pleased with the reception given to the new
material.
Thank
you to Lauren. |
