Mesadorm present their lush fusion of electronic and acoustic elements, alongside bohemian jazz/folk pioneers Whiskey Moon Face, in the beautiful surrounds of the Round Chapel in Hackney.
MESADORM
Mesadorm's emotive and skilled melding of the pastoral and synthetic is the result of a unique combination of experienced musicianship, diverse cultural tastes and strong bonds of friendship. Their songwriting is firmly aimed at the space between the piercing domestic observations of Suzanne Vega and the elemental other-worldiness of Bjork, drawing on contemporary influences including Caribou, Grizzly Bear and Sylvan Esso as well as legendary female luminaries like Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Kate Bush.
The band's 2018 debut album Heterogaster, produced by guitarist Aaron Zahl, forms a sublime melting pot of heartfelt anguish and celebration, combining shuddering electronica and tender instrumentation, balancing memorable hooks and leftfield themes. It both pops and fizzes, hurts and soothes.
Aside from the emotional heft of Mesadorm's music, the pedigree of its members is also not to be underestimated. Between them, Mesadorm's members have played with Paloma Faith, Goldfrapp, Rae Morris, Frank Turner, The Unthanks, The Magnetic North, toured with London Grammar and fronted major-label signing Vaults as well as singing on a John Lewis 2016 Christmas Ad. But whilst Mesadorm is a band founded on a history of professional musicianship and successes, it is now propelled forward by a renewed passion for creative endeavour and ambitious expression.
The album's emotional weight has been felt by audiences nationwide as the band toured the record throughout the last 2 years, before turning their efforts to the more delicate yet equally affecting Epicadusreleased on Babylegs Records in April 2018, and produced by Tim Allen (Bat for Lashes // Adrian Utley). This acoustic album illuminates the abilities of the band to wring universal sentiment from subtle arrangements: think of it as the subversive birdsong that follows Heterogaster's epic downpour. The band are now working on their next album with Tim Allen at Invada Studios in Bristol.
In the space between the personal and the global, the throb of the night and the glint of the dawn, the crushing weight of a significant ending and the promise of a fresh start Mesadorm's music awaits.
“Some of the most interesting music this year” - The Guardian
"A beautiful record” - Huw Stephens, BBC Radio 1
“I’m absolutely addicted...really affecting and beautiful…I love it” - Lauren Laverne, BBC 6 Music
“Absolutely fantastic...one of the debut albums of the year, no question” - John Kennedy, Radio X
“[Easy] Has just about finished me off” – Verity Sharp, BBC 3 Late Junction
WHISKEY MOON FACE
The result of a thousand drunken nights, countless dreamy days, and years of musical adventuring, Whiskey Moon Face take you on a voyage into a bohemian underworld which you never knew existed.
Born into a puddle of whiskey beneath a stark winter moon and raised by cold winds, schooled in the warming spirits and hungry for more, Whiskey Moon Face manage a natural, graceful sound built from many ports. Songs which speak of the unspeakable, with understated humour, captivating storytelling and a transcendent spirituality.
Always innovating and improvising with stark originality, Louisa Jones’ troupe of underground musicians play with a virtuosity you could never expect, with clarinet/saxophone addict Ewan Bleach adorning each moment to perfection and Dakota Jim adding bass, backing vocals and his own unique vibe to their performance.
"The music of Whiskey Moon Face is charming and difficult to categorise... Jones’ songs are a wonderful jumble of styles." - London Jazz News
"The end result of listening to One Blinding Dusky Dusk is akin to having been at one of those wild and joyous youthful parties in somebody else’s parents’ house that you’ll remember for years." - Folk Radio UK
This event will feature another very special headliner, who will be announced soon.