I recently interviewed Carol Hodge, and reviewed her new album The Crippling Space Between, for the Ginger Quiff (read it here), during our chat we talked about streaming gigs, and how over the period of lockdown, we initially religiously tuned into every stream going, but eventually got tired of doing so, longing for the real thing.
However, two of the most memorable live streams for me were the two I stayed up into the wee small hours for, both “live” from the Big Apple. One was to watch the wonderful New York Junk supported by an incredible set from Beechwood and songs from a host of other supporting acts (including Glasgow homeboy and friend of the blog, Jonzip).
The other was from one of my favourite NYC bands, the brilliant GIFTSHOP, who I resolve to seeing live in the flesh before I die (hopefully that is a good while off yet…) even though trips to NYC are blocked by some hurdle or other at every attempt.
Never mind, at least there are, not one, but TWO new songs from the band to keep me sane while COVID threatens to launch itself into an Autumn peak, and I attempt to save some pennies for when international travel might become an option again…That’s cool with me.
Kewl With Me
And Kewl with Me is one of these singles. Matt signalling their arrival with crunching riffs, Jordan solid with a pounding attack on his kit, Damian’s subtle bass keeping everyone in check and Meghan’s comfortingly familiar vocal offering to help “you find the thing you seek” as the band come together in perfect harmony in this nitrous fuelled full throttle anthem.
More Than That
On the exquisite More Than That, Matt kicks things off again with some understated riffs, with Damian’s mellifluous bass coming to the fore and Jordan’s drumming providing a sympathetic foil to the two. The stresses and strains of modern living is the subject; “mental illness is going to kill us yet…” sings Meghan before her heartfelt and sincere refrain of “I’d stop the pain, I’d stop the fear, of wasted time and wasted years.” This repeated refrain is layered gloriously both instrumentally and vocally. Both new songs are highly addictive and have me pressing repeat several times, but this is probably my pick of the two.
And still, I want more than that… but these two will suffice for now.
What’s more, If I’m right, a wee GIFTSHOP (well a large – lockdown didn’t come without its challenges) t-shirt is currently winging its way across the Atlantic, so at least I can be at their upcoming shows in spirit…GIFTSHOP – you’re more than kewl with me.