| 19 August 2011
Nestled beneath the Fringe-filled streets, Cabaret Voltaire served up a fine, indie-rockin' bridge between Edinburgh and Seattle in the form of Blank Canvas and The Cave Singers.
First on deck was Blank Canvas, the lovechild of Modest Mouse's melodies and Brandon Flowers' (The Killers) chanting croon. Fresh-faced, well-dressed, and bent into its instruments, the members of Blank Canvas seem to be a rather genuine product of the noughties' indie movement; while nothing especially innovative was happening onstage, it was clear that they'd done their homework, they'd found the formula, and they sounded good as a result.
It was tonight’s main act - Seattle-based rockers, The Cave Singers – who set the mood for me, and who, I might add, perfectly complemented the dark, low-ceilinged venue. Aided by a harmonica and a melodica (look it up, kids), The Cave Singers' bluesy sound made it impossible not to yearn for a day of driving down a dusty road in a southern state, taking in the sticky, golden sunlight and the occasional weathered porch.
Strange as such nostalgia may sound here and now, I assure you it wasn't difficult to lose oneself in the fantasy inspired by The Cave Singers' set: Pete Quirk’s raspy twang, full beard and farmer’s fedora; too-thin gray cotton tanks and plaid button-downs; and an impassioned fist raised to the beat of a persistent bass pedal. This is the kind of music that will make you feel impressive in your dirty jeans, will make you want to start a quiet riot with some obscure instruments and, if nothing else, will get you feeling downright sexy. Go on. Get down with yo' folksy self.
The Cave Singers, Cabaret Voltaire, 17 Aug, 7.00pm
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