Friday 13 December 2013, wombatwombat's | |||
 © Katja Medic |
Drugstorefrom Brazil, via LondonFriday 13 December 2013 at Norwich Arts Centre is also the date and location that Drugstore – YES, the peerless project of London-based Brazilian eccentric singer songwriter, Isabel Monteiro – has chosen for their Christmas party, which doubles as the second and final live celebration of September's long-awaited Best Of album: wombatwombat's honoured and we count ourselves unbelievably lucky. And so should you… It'll be like all your Christmas arriving at once, as well as sorting all of your present-buying needs in one fell swoop – c'mon, who wouldn't adore the gift of an evening being entertained by Miss M in intimate surroundings – but above all, this gig is unmissable because there's no other act like Drugstore. Drugstore's music nimbly hops over the ages, from 1920s Berlin cabaret through the French chanson tradition, via The Velvet Underground's woozy melodic charm and Tom Waits' bar-room badinage, across PJ Harvey's earnest intellect and The Bad Seeds' rumbling, angry sadness.
"Her voice is soaked in wine and cured in smoke. It has depth and strength and yet verges raunchily on the edge of guttering out. Some songs drift like dreams, others pound like blood vessels when you're in the midst of something exciting and filthy. They're somewhere in the same crazed town as the Tindersticks, Eels, Bad Seeds and other eclectic bands." (londonist.com)
Drugstore: definitive purveyors of perfect soundtracks for every heaven, hell, heartache and moment of deep joy since 1993, and coming to an arts centre near you for a one-off not-to-be-missed festive special. "A long dark night of the soul, with Monteiro's whiskey-sour so intimate, though you know she'll be back for more." (Mojo) Prepare for a masterclass in Isabel's storytelling and performance: an enthralling mixture of heart-on-sleeve intensity – packed full of raw and passionate emotion – and hilarity – generally delivered with a generous helping of pitch-black humour – that seamlessly switches between moods in a heartbeat. Get ready to be gob-smacked… and then some. | ||
 © Fascination Street |
She Makes Warfrom BristolShe Makes War is the gloom-pop solo project of Bristol based multi-instrumentalist, visual artist and digital polymath Laura Kidd, whose independent albums Disarm and Little Battles have gained her an ardent international following.
Blending urgent, grungy guitars with processed beats, heady pop melodies and a liberal dusting of glitter, She Makes War has drawn comparisons to artists from Blur to Bat For Lashes, Throwing Muses, Bauhaus, Belly, Nirvana and the Smashing Pumpkins. "Why just sing songs, when you can build worlds?" (The Quietus) | ||
 |
BUOYSfrom Norwich We're super-excited to host BUOYS' Norwich debut! This sextet of familiar faces – Smitty not pictured, left – is promising a suitably rousing set of "riot pop, sexy thunder, fuzz and angels", which sounds perfect as a descriptor but be sure to check 'em out live for the guaranteed full in-yer-face thrill and be ready to party hard. | ||
|
PLUS Howlback Hum DJs Chad 'Chad' Mason, Nick Cheese & Wine and DJtm in the bar, where drinks will be served 'til late. Tickets from: 1. Norwich Arts Centre in person, or on 01603 660352, or online from NAC 2. Soundclash Records in person 3. UEA box office in person, or on 01603 508050, or or online from UEA | |||