Saw the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players at the Soho Theatre tonight.
Describing themselves as ‘an indie-vaudeville conceptual art-rock pop band’, the three piece band buy up vintage slide collections from garage sales, thrift stores etc and then write songs based on the contents of the slides.
Naturally, it’s quirky stuff, with mum Tina, dad Jason and their talented 10 year old daughter Rachel (drums) making a great lo-fi, early Jonathon Richman-meets-60s trash soundtrack to the visuals.
I particularly liked ‘Mountain Trip to Japan, 1959’ and the ‘six part rock opera’ based around a McDonalds corporate presentation!
I’m not so sure if I’d want to buy their records though, but it’s a great night out. Recommended.
Talking of buying records, once again I fell foul to the power of Fopp Records and left clutching a pile of records.
Today’s purchases included ‘The World is Saved’ by Stina Nordenstam – a dark, pensive and reclusive album full of stories of naked tales of failed relationships, despair, redemption and hope.
Equally reflective but more upbeat, is the stunningly beautiful, ‘Now The Hush Is Over’ by my long time faves, The Innocence Mission. Described as a ‘wondrous gem’ by All Music Guide, it’s an album to curl up in bed with on a cold winter’s night and fall asleep to. Think Nick Drake meets The Sundays and you’ll get the idea.
Other CDs filling my bag included Joanna Newsom, KT Tunstall’s ‘Eye To The Telescope’ (yet to be played) and ‘The Ultimate Northern Soul’ collection….
Oh, and before I go, don’t forget to check out the photos from the last Offline club night at the Dogstar!
