The Future is Brightblack

Posted on 28th May 07 by Contributor | 0

Artist: Brightblack Morning Light " Live at Roisin Dubh
Author: Hubert McIntyre

Brightblack Morning Light" Roisin Dubh" Galway" 18"5"2007

Brightblack Morning Light's Nathan Shineywater speaks in slow"motion Alabama twang" a good natured stoned drawl that sounds a little like Shaggy off Scooby Doo to someone who doesn't know their American accents well. He doesn't mind that it's a miserable rainy night: "Aw I like all the weather" man. But yeah" I brought some crystals with me" you know"". Brightblack Morning Light are big into their crystals" their website says things like" "Tote a crystal to give and receive light"" "We hold our crystals against war and racism"" and "Touch the left owl to view the upcoming Peaceful April Crystal Totem Turr "sic"".

Its easy to be sceptical about new"age mumbo"jumbo" but Brightblack Morning Light have the lifestyle to go with the tree"fancier speak. They've spent several years living in tents and renovated chicken coops in Northern California" and their self titled debut album on Matador records is the fruit of that experience" as Shineywater himself says: "These words were written far into the wilderness away from Babylon System". In American music journalism" Brightblack Morning Light are part of a larger folk revival scene that goes by the name of "New Weird America" or "Naturalismo". Other proponents of the scene are Devendra Banhart" Animal Collective" and Joanna Newsom. None of these artists however" while reportedly friends" sound like they come from the same musical planet " even the same solar system.

On record and live" Brightblack Morning Light's music is infused with the spirit of gospel and Ry Cooder's wilderness blues. Languid and deep" every groove takes its sweet time to develop. Their Rhodes organ is lined with candles as it gently burbles along to Nathan's widescreen tremolo chords. The vocals are unintelligible" elongated and breathy" with a female backing singer's harmonies adding to the dreamy sensation. Snares are gently tapped with brushes and the kick drum is muffled beyond recognition. The overall effect is full of mystical rustic charm" and the occasional mini"eruption of volume can be a welcome and even mildly startling occurrence.

Tonight however" Brightblack Morning Light are too sedate. The perfect way to listen to them would be sitting in a field with a herbally enhanced cigarette drooping from your bearded mouth. Standing in a room full of people guzzling pints on a Friday night just doesn't do them any justice. Dancing is absolutely out of the question too. The only way you could possibly move to this music would be sitting down" hands on knees" eyes closed" with your head swaying like a balloon and a herbally"enhanced cigarette drooping from your bearded mouth.

As the gig goes on" more and more people start to chat" and soon the level of talking is higher than the level of music. The band plays on oblivious" swaying in a lost reverie. At the end of the gig" Nathan thanks the crowd" revealing for the first time that lazy southern"fried accent. They shuffle off stage and the audience applaud briefly and turn back to their conversation.

Before the chance to review this gig came up" I had never heard of Brightblack Morning Light. They're an absolutely unique band and their album is really a beautiful thing" full of delicate flourishes and easy charm. Their music would be ideal for a peaceful camping trip or an idyllic festival" but they're altogether too mellow to work in a venue like this on a Friday. All in all" I'm definitely glad I now know of their existence and I strongly encourage you to click on the links below to get acquainted with them " and see for yourself.

www.thebrightblackmorninglight.com
www.myspace.com/brightblackmorninglight