SINGLED
OUT
Andrew Bird is one of the myriad of great solo artists packing the stages at Indian Summer this year. David Pollock finds out how a musical life on your lonesome isn’t such a bad gig after all
isten to Andrew Bird — folk-blues multi-
instrumentalist from Illinois and one of
the many singer-songwriters appearing at this year‘s Indian Summer — and the mechanics of playing as a solo artist become a whole lot clearer. As a classically schooled multi-instrumentalist. Bird is used to playing shows entirely on his own and. as will be the case here. alongside a backing band.
'They [solo shows] take a different kind of energy.‘ he muses. ‘When you‘re playing solo. you have to create your own tension and resistance. One extreme example was a time I played an outdoor auditorium near Denver. When you can see the horizon you’re trying to project to it. so there‘s a lot of physical energy involved. I was breaking so many hairs on my violin bow that day. just trying to fill all that space with sound when there are no drums to push against. Whereas with a band they take up a lot of that slack. so I can actually pay attention to the subtleties of performance.‘
Although artists such as Emma Pollock. Ruarri Joseph and Daniel Johnston sometimes
‘I WAS AL Ys INTO TRYI
step out with a full band. their own name ensures they get the recognition and bear the brunt of any criticism (Jason Pierce's creative monopoly over Spiritualized is accepted fact). The term singer-songwriter is one that has been abused of late — it's often cast as shorthand for the drab musings of James Blunts or Katie Meluas. Usually all it means is that an artist feels confident enough in their own work that they don‘t need the security blanket of a band around them.
Bird is used to this particular brand of self- reliance. ‘l've been playing violin since I was four and it‘s a part of everyday life.’ he says. ‘I went through conservatory and so on. although my idea of what to play wasn’t always what was proscribed. It's strange. I learned classical
music through a folk tradition. I never practised my scales or learned to read music. I loved classical music but I was always into trying to improvise. I wanted to prove to my teachers that there was more to what I was playing than was written on the page.‘
Bird wrote his first song when he was 18. and self-released his first album Music of Hair. at 22. He describes his initial recordings as derivative of blues. jazz and folk. A further six albums have snuck out between that and his first large-scale release. this year's Anni-hair Ap()('l‘_\'[)/1(l. the fruit of a slow process towards ‘writing a record rather than letting my music collection do it.‘ That‘s another thing about being a singer-songwriter. you see. you have to do all your learning for yourself.
RUNNING ORDER SATURDAY 14 JULY
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Wilco See preview. page 10.
Midlake Glorious 708 folk-rock inspired album The Trials of Van Occunapther was one of the albums of 2006.
The Rapture Scratchy punk funk with a slick disco edge from these hipper-than-hip-New York-hipsters.
The Teenagers Sleazy Anglo-French electro-sex- pop trio. who put a capital T in trendy. CSS style. Silversun Pickups Shoegaze-tinged indie rockers from LA. who have toured with OKGO and Snow Patrol.
Emma Pollock Former Delgados member Pollock's melodic indie- folk solo material is an absolute joy.
BBC 6 MUSIC HUB STAGE _ _ g N Daniel Johnston Erratic. seminal indie
12 THE LIST 5—19 Jul 2007
weirdness right from the very edge. A genuine cracked genius. Andrew Bird See preview, above. Polytechnic Manchester based Polytechnic make melodic indie—punk sound easier than a catering BTEC. Au Hevoir Simone All- girl indie-pop trio from New York. whose gorgeous electronic Iullabies are heaven sent. Ra Ra Riot Syracuse indie-rockers with a sweeping edge a la Arcade Fire.
Alberta Cross Leonard Cohen. Van Morrison and The Band are the musical glue that holds this rootsy London duo together. Ruarri Joseph Cornwall based singer- songwriter Joseph does acoustica ‘old in style. but modern in substance.’ Correcto Fresh out of Glasgow. Correcto embrace retro rock with
touches of The Kinks.
OPTIMO PRESENTS ESPACIO
Prins Thomas See preview. page 1 1. Modeselektor See preview. page 1 1.
Tim Sweeney Highly respected New York DJ and presenter of cult Internet radio station ‘Beats in Space.‘
Adult Dark. experimental dance punk husband and wife team from Detroit play live.
Tim Goldsworthy DJ set from the joint owner of DFA. Co-founder of Mo' Wax. Former drummer with U.N.K.L.E. Need we say more?
Foxface Banjo. bass. drums. guitar and fox mask wielding Glasgow alt.country trio. Hushpuppy Some sunny turntablism from one third of kitsch Glasgow electro group Record Playerz.
SUNDAY 15 JULY
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The Flaming Lips Confetti, balloons. puppets, psychedelic space rock: few bands can close a party better than these loonies. Spiritualized - Acoustic Mainlines Jason Pierce brings his back catalogue to life in majestic acoustic style. with accompaniment from a string quartet and gospel choir.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Exuberant, unhinged New York indie rockers — the original cult internet sensations.
I’m From Barcelona A SO-strong cvollective of eccentric Swedes who do cute. catchy indie. Annuals Multi-layered altrock from North Carolina. in the Arcade Fire/BSS mould.
Maps Critically lauded lush electronic indie straight from a Northampton bedroom.
Make Model A new Glasgow six-piece delight with their euphoric strain of indie rock.
BBC 6 MUSIC
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Wheat Massachusetts based art project-turned— pop group make their long awaited come back after a four-year hiatus. Lonely, Dear Self- styled ‘audio home cooking expert' Emil Svanangen is the brains behind this Swedish electro-folk-pop outfit. Elvis Perkins New York folk singer has opened for Willy Mason among others.
120 Days Kraut-rocking poetic synth-pop from these boa wearing Non/vegian darlings. VietNam Epic sounding psychedelic Americana quartet from Brooklyn. Jaymay More singer- songwriter action Big Apple-style from
diminutive. delectable anti-folk songstress Frightened Rabbit FatCat Records- endorsed Glasgow collective who do expansive. experimental indie with flourish.
OPTIMO PRESENTS ESPACIO
Mouse on Mars See preview. page 1 1.
The Presets See preview. page 1 1. Rhythm and Sound w/Tikiman The German techno pioneers return, With added vocals from Tikiman.
Michael Gira See preview. page 1 1.
The Parsonage Glasgow's one and only 40-strong alt.c0untiy choir. who cover hits by everyone from Depeche Mode to Johnny Cash. DJ Mingo-go Death Disco resident spins lounge pop. twisted electronica and indie.