Back in the 80’s, I was very into what was called “new wave” (Depeche Mode, who are not bullshit, but then a lot of MTV bullshit bands too) and then also “alternative rock” (The Cure, The Smiths, etc.). I don’t know what happened to either category title. Supposedly back in the 80’s the term “indie pop” was born (from the UK) and there are some overlapping borders between all these categories—now you can also hear “power pop”, “indie rock”, “indie pop rock”, and so on.
Suffice it to say I grew away from the genre, but I will always have a profound appreciation for the musicians in these categories who wow me. There can be, in some cases, an air of artsy pretension with no real musical skill or talent to back it up. Fanfarlo (from London) wowed me. They are not pretension: they are talented and creative musicians.
I don’t have an accurate head count—I was far from the stage (and listening with eyes closed)-- but there must have been at least 6 people on stage when I saw them, and impressive is always the band whose musicians never over-play their instruments—who know their musical parts and places. The heart of the band is the troubadour/guitarist Simon Balthazer (if I have the correct member here..), with the exquisite complement of Cathy Lucas on violin and backing vocals. Their songs range in style from catchy to emotive to compositionally compelling, and it beats me what any of the songs are about. (I was too caught up in the sensation of the moment to pay attention to lyrics.) Added to this troubadour and violinist duo: drums, bass, trumpet, another guitar, mandolin, xylophone, synchronized hand clapping.. each facet taking turns and coming forward appropriately to take its places in the well crafted compositions. Some folks suggested they are a direct nod to the band Arcade Fire.
It’s been a few decades since my ears embraced English melodrama, and it was my delight to revisit it Fanfarlo-style in 2009.
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