#nuits botanique

[fleurdefeufleurdefeu]

Avec Christine Divito à la basse et Teuk Henri à la guitare.

[iwannamakelaughtoyou]

En concert hier, aux Nuits Bota’, Bruxelles.

[sashavernaeve]

[sashavernaeve]

[brnsmusic]

[brnsmusic]

New track - "Our Lights"

Hey guys,

  We are extremely excited to finally release a brand new track entitled "Our Lights" off of our first mini-album WOUNDED. 

The record will be released on May 21st 2012 and will be available in most major record stores in Belgium through our distributor [PIAS].

  The official record launch will be on May 20th at the Nuits du Botanique with Blood Red Shoes and Spector.

We are looking forward to seeing each and one of you at our upcoming shows.

<a href="http://brns.bandcamp.com/track/our-lights" data-mce-href="http://brns.bandcamp.com/track/our-lights">Our Lights by BRNS</a>

[twobrainsonanapkin-blog]

You know what? 

I was planning on writing a big fat review for The Tallest Man on Earth's gig tonight, but that will have to wait. This has not really been my day and my head feels like it's about to explode.

But this video might give you an idea of just how magical the show was. 

(And instead of a malfunctioning guitar strap, we got a malfunctioning banjo strap. Still awesome.)

Nuits Botanique 2011, you've been amazing.

[twobrainsonanapkin-blog]

Nuits Botanique #3: Dry The River - Lucy Lucy! - Villagers

My third night at the Nuits Botanique this year was mainly one of discovery, as I only knew (and not even very well) the main act of the evening, namely Villagers.

The first band to play were the London outfit Dry The River, who were in Belgium for the second time, "but the first time was for a house party." No one could tell: they were extremely solid from the very first seconds of their set, and their 40 minutes actually went by too fast. I heard some Low Anthem in what they did, maybe a little bit of The Frames (and maybe I'm just hearing what I want to hear) but the singer's voice is distinctive and powerful enough to make a difference. Definitely a band I want to see again next time they come to Belgium.

The next band on the list was Belgian group Lucy Lucy! I'd heard some of their songs on the radio, but apart from that, didn't really know too much about them. There were a number of things that I wasn't too keen on:

I have a problem with people maintaining a French accent when they sing in English. Lucy Lucy!'s singer is very guilty of this. 

After the raw emotion of Dry The River's songs, Lucy Lucy!'s efforts seemed a bit shallow.

They're not too original. Actually, in my opinion, they sound like a whole other bunch of Belgian bands that have sprouted up in recent years (Piano Club and Isola, for example). 

But enough with the negativity. I have to admit that what they do is extremely catchy. It makes you want to shake your ass, and really, if that's all it does, there's nothing too wrong with that. All in all, their set was a pretty enjoyable one.

However, I was waiting for the final act of the night, namely the Irish Villagers. Conor J. O'Brien, up there on the picture, is the band's voice and face, looks like a choirboy, but sounds nothing like that. The set comprised roughly two types of songs: multi-layered, majestic orchestral affairs such as Ship of Promises (see video above), and intimate solo efforts from Conor and his guitar. These acoustic guitar-driven pieces showcased Conor's brilliant gift for storytelling, and none did that better than opening song Cecelia and her Selfhood. 

The gig lasted for about an hour and a half, and it was an example of pure beauty throughout. It also made me want to listen to Villagers before I went to sleep tonight... And that's just what I'm going to do.

Bonne nuit (Botanique).