The ultra-chilled Karl Wilson was a welcome distraction from the stuffy heat that had poured down on us throughout the day, making our clothes feel stickier than a jam and chewing gum sandwich. I don't know if being in the form of a sandwich would make the jam/gum combo any stickier, but presumably you wouldn't want to have them together if they lacked some sort of bread-related binding. Assuming, of course, that you'd want to have them together at all.
With his band of merry somethings, namely Matt and John Calvert (equally brilliant on their respective instruments of guitar and bass), Karl rocked on through his sets with tuneful ease. The light-rocking frontman has a knack for writing catchy tunes that incorporate a wide range of influences. His album, "Eleven Songs", is superb, and, while you don't get the full band feel at PAS, you can still hear the songs that make it so good.
The PAS team have known for while that Little Pictures, previously Are & El, are brilliant. It's a simple fact of life. Rozie Gyems' soulful vocals are fantastically emotive and smooth, and Leon Cave's funky, genius-level guitaristry is a wonder to behold. Their songs groove and rock, clap and shout in pure enjoyment. It's fabulous. We're a bit excited at PAS because they'll be coming back three times (three times!) in the next two months. There's the Platform on the 22nd July, and they'll be supporting Angel Anderson twice in August. It's going to be amazing.
Rokhsan's PAS debut blew everyone away. Her beautiful voice was at once tender and powerful, her songs innovative and thoroughly enjoyable. Her slight London accent means that comparisons can easily be made to the current crop of female singer/songwriters such as Lily Allen and Kate Nash - one of the quotes Rokhsan has on her MySpace reads, "[Rokhsan] is a bit urban, but without the exagerrated Kate Nash accent." Personally, I'd say "Rokhsan is a bit like Kate Nash but not annoying and a hell of a lot better." Sweet songs, a sublime voice and a songwriting brilliance that few possess. What more can you want from your artists?
Dave Knight
The
Portobello Acoustic Sessions is held every Thursday night from 7:30 at The Metropolitan bar, Westbourne Park.
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The PAS Diaries: Karl Wilson, Little Pictures and Rokhsan
Underminer live recordings, Karl Alvarez benefit