Altsounds - Alberta Cross Secret Gig [Live] @ South Of The Border, London

So, something better than the Mitchell family can actually come out of an East End pub, what an amazing rehabilitation for this infamous part of London! If you don’t watch Eastenders you won’t know what I’m talking about, but it doesn’t matter really, actually it’s probably a good thing.

I’m one of the lucky industry people admitted to this Alberta Cross showcase/secret gig to introduce new single “ATX.” I must confess I don’t know much about Alberta Cross, I know they’re from Brooklyn and I’ve been listening to their music on Spotify in preparation for this show however, I like what I’ve heard plus I love the idea of a secret gig and the intimacy of a small venue like “South of the Border,” so here I am right on time, waiting for the venue to let us in.

Singer / Guitarist and band founding member Petter is outside mingling with the crowd, chatting and smiling to everyone. His accent reveals he’s not really American; Petter is in fact Swedish, and after travelling for seven years with his singer-songwriter dad between his home country and the UK, he moved to London, where he met original Eastender and future co-founder of Alberta Cross, Terry Wolfers. And in a smoky local (maybe the Queen Vic?), between a pint of cider and a lager or two, a new band was born. The band only moved to New York about a year and a half ago, and some of the Big Apple has already made its way into their sound.

Enough of their history anyway. We’re in, the band is helping setting up the stage. The place is so tiny it feels like you’re on stage with them, and it is populated by a very diverse crowd. Alberta Cross come on about ten o’clock and rapidly they steal the attention from the free bar. Due to the size of the room [I believe], there’s a bit of rebound which makes the sound slightly muffled and the lyrics unclear, other than that it’s all good and everybody in the audience seems to be paying attention and enjoying themselves.

Alberta Cross’ music is clearly influenced by the seventies, even their look seems to be stolen from a hippie festival and that “Almost Famous” movie springs to mind. It’s a melodic blend of blues and folk rock which may not be new but is very well done, and you couldn’t find anything to dislike about it even if it’s not what you would normally listen to.

In my case, even better, this is something I would normally listen to quite happily, and I’m looking forward to adding Alberta Cross to my CD collection, somewhere between old Kings of Leon and Neil Young. Petter’s voice is a gift from God, humanly magnified by his early musical education and his blues and gospel influences. Creative songwriters and talented musicians (although I’m not 100% convinced about the drummer), judging from this cosy appetiser Alberta Cross are set for big things to come.

Tonight´s set list includes tracks from first EP “The Thief and the Heartbreaker” and the latest and debut full length “Broken Side of Time.” “The Thief and the Heartbreaker” is very bluesy and gospel inspired. Uplifting, vibrant, chilled but yet warm, this is what you want to listen to whilst watching the sun going down sitting on your favourite rocking chair, a glass of bourbon in your hand, after a fulfilling day in your farm in Virginia. Then again, it’s also a pleasant, relaxing and emotion-trigging background while I’m typing this review. First full length “Broken Side of Time” explores indie rock territory although still keeping the blues flag held high. Less cheesy and more contemporary, as you can tell by the new single “ATX,” “Broken Side of Time” is the album that might get Alberta Cross noticed on mainstream levels, but don’t take this as they’ve sold out, you couldn’t be any more wrong.

Not one song sounds like the other, although they all hide that same strong blues element somewhere. The blues legacy is even more evident live, and it’s greatly complimented by Petter’s extensive vocal range. I can see Alberta Cross playing arenas in a day that is not too far off at all and by then I hope Petter gets over what seems to be a hint of shyness and learns to interact more with the audience. Even if he doesn’t, as long as Alberta Cross stay on these levels I’m sure they can let the music do the talking.

Alberta Cross are playing in the UK in November, catch them live here:

11/11/2009 Bristol, UK, The Cooler
11/12/2009 Leeds, UK, Cockpit 3
11/13/2009 Glasgow, UK, Captain's Rest
11/15/2009 Manchester, UK, Ruby's Lounge
11/16/2009 Birmingham, UK, Birmingham Bar Academy
11/17/2009 London, UK, Bush Hall

Alberta Cross is one of those bands you have to see both in an intimate venue and in an arena. Don’t miss the intimate venue now, because it will probably be your last chance.