Dancing Years Delight For Homecoming Gig At Brudenell Social Club
Published
Untuck your shirt, unplug the phone - we danced all night at the Leeds lads’ homecoming show.
Tonight is the homecoming show for local band Dancing Years at Leeds Brudenell Social Club. A fantastic homely venue that is ideal for the pre-Christmas finale of the quintet’s European tour with Australian indie-folk act Boy & Bear. The Brudenell has always been a favourite, a non-profitmaking venue that embraces both music and art. They serve cheap drinks in an unpretentious inclusive atmosphere with a distinctly unhipster feel. Think pimped up working man’s club, purveyors of a relentless schedule of new and old talent.
It feels like everyone knows each other here tonight and there is a supportive camaraderie between all the acts performing. The evening starts well with the impressive vocal talents of Sam Griffiths, a young York songwriter who has studied English Literature and Philosophy and is influenced by; The Mountain Goats, Giant Sand and Randy Newman. He entertains us with a plethora of songs that he dedicates to such diverse individuals and characters such as the Reverend Gary Davies, Debbie Harry and Bill Pullman’s character in ‘Lost Highway.’ His song ‘Remedy to Rust,’ reminds me of the penetrating stylings of Jackson C. Frank. Every song has a story and he is not shy about bringing cinematic references to his candid folk tales. He manages to integrate retro country with a blues post punk mash up performing an interesting cover of ‘Heart of glass.’ Griffiths is an impressive opening act with the attentive crowd in the palm of his hand.
Next up are The Bronze Medal from Bristol who are performing songs from their self-released album ‘Darlings.’ This was recorded in Iceland at Greenhouse studios with Valgeir Sigurðsson, a producer and collaborator of Bjork, Sigur Ros and Bonnie Prince Billy. Their set is very much a slow burner. They perform their song, ‘Tunnel,’ with their heads down layering different instruments to produce an emotional minimalist sound reminiscent of Bon Iver.
Finally it is the turn of the homecoming boys. The indie folksters, Dancing Years have developed an expanded line up from the duo Joseph & David. They are five school friends who list amongst their achievements contributing to a BAFTA-nominated soundtrack. Numerous festival appearances include The Great Escape, Dot to Dot, Deer Shed, Wilderness, Standon Calling and Reading & Leeds. They have also supported Wolf Alice, Dry the River and Benjamin Francis Leftwich.
Influenced by Damien Rice, Sam Amidon, and Sigor Ros, the band is made up of David Henshaw (vocals/guitar), Joe Lawrenson (piano), Dan Fielding (guitar/bass), Dom Butler (violin) and Joe Montague (drums). They are also joined by their friend Johnny who introduces a flute mid set. On their first track ‘Explorers,’ Henshaw vocalises about the ‘little things that tear us apart, over searing strings. His commanding yet poignant falsetto is accompanied by orchestral swathes. His versatility is striking. One minute the strength of an operatic lead, the next a meek choirboy.
The charming thing about the band’s performance is its homespun quality. There’s a song about not being romantic enough and one about fatherhood. ‘We danced last night,’ is a domestic vignette. They talk of tired hands kissing worried heads but then we are encouraged to ‘untuck your shirt, unplug the phone,’ to cut some shapes on the kitchen lino. This culminates in a compelling chorus and is clearly a set highlight. Family and friends star in the video (most of whom are present tonight, it would seem).
A quirky cover is always welcome and Broken Social Scene’s, ‘Anthems for a 17 year old girl,’ will do nicely. At this point we see a more childlike side to a band that exude maturity and professionalism. ‘You used to be one of the rotten ones and I liked you for that,’ they whisper playfully. Their debut single, ‘Here’s to my old friends,’ seems highly appropriate, given the setting. It is a genuine ode to friendship that was written when they were 18 years old. Much has been said of the atmosphere and the personal lyricism but what brings together the performance is the rich instrumentation.
These guys are time served players who play surprising pieces chock full of stirring guitar riffs, faltering keys, deft violins and spiky brass. The vocals ebb and flow between verse and chorus. Zealous yet serene, you always feel like you are experiencing the calm before the storm. Dancing Years are the real deal if you appreciate a folk song and an indie tale. We danced all night, and we will again!
Click here for the Sam Griffiths Facebook page and
here for the Twitter feed.
Click here for The Bronze Medal Facebook page and
here for the Twitter feed.
Click here for Dancing Years website and
here for their Facebook page. Words by Mandy Williams
