Something In Construction night – The Old Blue Last, London 14/04/08

In case you didn’t know already – TLOBF are hosting a free mixtape called Building with Strings from the folks down at Something In Construction records. It’s actually frigging excellent and anybody who’s anybody has already downloaded it, so you might want to get your act together and get it yourself before someone brings it up at a party and you embarrass yourself by being the only person there not cool enough to know who’s on it. Anyway, the launch for it was at The Old Blue Last – an e-mail tipping me off about some free tequila and a free gig had me scurrying down there like the freeloading, music-loving boozehound before I could finish reading it, I can only assume that TLOBF intended for me to write something about the night also…

As I enter the upstairs room at The Old Blue Last I’m cheerfully informed that there’s a free raffle going on and am offered a ticket. I gratefully accept and begin to wonder about possible prizes. Then I think for a couple of seconds about how raffle is quite an annoying word.

I gravitate towards the bar and immediately enquire about the availability of free shots before I part with any money. There aren’t any quite yet (I’m a bit early) but already a free gig and a free raffle up, I decide not to push my luck. Lager in hand, my thoughts turn to Sons of Noel and Adrian who are opening proceedings tonight and are milling about the room. I finish my drink, and head to the bar collect another as the announcements of the free raffle are announced.

When I return I find that my accomplice for the night has been singled out as the winner of a second or third hand mini-hoover. As he holds it gingerly and looks around for somewhere appropriate to put it, we are welcomed by the compare to the ‘album launch for Christian Silva’s Onward.’ It crosses my mind that I’m actually supposed to be at a sampler night for Something In Construction, but since I’m only aware of one pub in Shoreditch called The Old Blue Last, I’m fairly confident I’m still in the right place.

I’m draining the dregs of another drink as Sons of Noah and Adrian take to the stage and as they begin plucking and stomping their way through their set. I find myself swaying along happily and decide that I’ll probably give the free tequila a miss. Possibly aided by the warm sense of well-being that often results in healthy dose of alcohol mixed with some live music, I’m experiencing a renewed enthusiasm for Sons of Noah and Adrian, by the end of their set I’m doing that stupid head-bobbing-moving-one-leg thing that people do when they forget how silly it looks.

There’s a relaxed, jovial atmosphere and Christian Silva takes to the stage. He provides a particular treat, flaunting his array of talents confidentially to the small room, the audience’s enthusiasm is quite papable at this point as he croons, gyrates and switches instruments, delighting onlookers.

How do you complete a decent night out? With burlesque performers, that’s how. It’s all in the little touches, isn’t it? This night was packed with great music, and lots of fun stuff, my happy-happy mood as I staggered onto a tube at Old Street can only be partially explained my alcohol – it must’ve been helped along by the reminder that there are actually still people out there who know how to throw a decent party and put a good mixtape together, confirmation of the survival of skills that are of the most paramount importance to the survival of humankind, in my opinion.

SiC & TLOBF Presents…Building With Strings

1. Plushgun – Just Impolite
2. Christian Silva – Great To Begin
3. Akira The Don – I Am Not Dead (Yeah)
4. A Million Billion – Wait….Animate
5. Sambassadeur – Final Say
6. Boats – Scenic Gorges
7. The Gay Blades – O Shot
8. Alvin Band – Tijuana
9. Twin Thousands – Like You A Lot
10. Emmy The Great – Gabriel
11. The Leisure Society – Come To Your Senses
12. Sons Of Noel and Adrian – This Wreck Is Not A Boat
13. Loney, Dear – Take It Back
14. The Silent League – Let It Roll
15. Young Husband – French Grammar
16. The Depreciation Guild – A Room, A Canvas
17. Other Passengers – Credits
18. TSL vs 69CORP – Catbird (Upsetter Dub)
19. Damn Arms – Cormorant (Midnight Juggernauts remix)