Tig Digs: Little Brother Eli 'Oceans'

Tigmus alumni and Oxford based band Little Brother Eli, have just released a superb new music video for the track Oceans, taken from their debut record Cold Tales which was released last Summer. They're a hard working and talented bunch of guys who we worked with on a really successful headline show upstairs at Oxford's O2 Academy back in October - certainly a band to keep an eye on, get watching the video below and keep an ear out for new music!

The next couple of Little Brother Eli gigs are 17th March in London, at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen and at the Reading festival Are You Listening? on 22nd April, get down and support them!

Eight questions with Brudini

1. Who is Brudini? (a short introduction)

I am Brudini! A half-Norwegian, half-Thai, modern day nomad. Brudini is the artist name I took when I started writing songs again after a decade long musical hiatus spent in Paris, Tokyo, finally settling in London. I was drawn into a Soho scene of poets, writers and artists, and it resparked my own imagination and desire to create. While I had always played music in different formats in my youth, I was now in my early 30ies, and the songs that came out of me felt darker and stronger. Even my voice had grown darker! I would write and record my material at home at night, and gradually try it out at poetry nights and open mic nights. And things just slowly evolved from there.

2. The info on your Facebook page tells me that your music is ‘a soulful, vagabond journey through darkness and light, darkly evoking existentialist and beat traditions’ which definitely came across in your performance for us in Oxford recently, where you took us all on an atmospheric musical journey. Where does the inspiration for this style of music come from?

I think my music traces a variety of origins, from classical music to songwriter, jazz and krautrock, to more avant-garde stuff, but also poetry and literature. And then I fuse it with my own persona and try to project it all out on a big sonic canvas. It’s a bit eclectic and I always found it hard to fit within a genre. But I like the idea of creating a narrative, shaped by the words, music, and the performance itself.

3. Your debut single ‘The Nightcrawler’ is due for release on 3rd March and has already received support from the likes of BBC Radio 6, Radio X, Amazing Radio and Soho Radio. Could you explain the track to anybody who is new to your music, and feel free to share any interesting stories about producers or session players you worked with on the track!

‘The Nightcrawler’ is a tale of a vagabond’s gritty and raw journey into inevitable darkness - yet in a passing moment overcome by a sudden feeling of warmth and nostalgia. Quite existensialist stuff, and I’ve really tried to build the soundscape to underline the sensory impressions of this worn-out, desillusioned character marching on into the night. I recorded it in a small studio in North-East London with the help of Knut Jonas Sellevold. The studio was awfully cold, and when it rained on the roof it would leak in and we had to stop recording. It probably helped us get in the mood! The drums are by the incredible Siemy Di, and it was mixed and mastered by Jeremy Lucas in New York using only analogue gear, including a tape-reel that once belonged to John Lennon. So a bit of traces of legends in the fabric..

4. The artwork for the track is pretty striking too, what’s the story behind it?

The artwork is by a very talented artist called Tom Maryniak. They are wood cuts - carved in wood with chisel in hand, then soaked in ink and pressed against paper. For me I think it brings full circle the associations to books and poetry - it’s the way book covers were made in the past. And Tom’s work is so moody, beautiful and expressive. And occasionally quite racy as well! You should check out his Grecian porn wallpaper, should you ever wish to make your bathroom a bit more potent. I’ll say no more.

5. Who is your audience and how do you connect with your fans? Any crazy, fun, exciting stories are very welcome.

To be honest, I’m still trying to figure out who my audience really is! I hope my music can appeal to anyone who is curious, yet at the same time I do not really fit into the hipster scene which dominates a lot of indie music today. I had a guy come up to me after a show once saying it sounded so genuine and so different from anything else out there. I think that’s the biggest compliment I could ever get. But I’ve been booed by a bunch of guys drinking beer at the local pub too. Different strokes for different folks I guess, hehe.

6. You’ve got a London show lined up with us the day after the single release to celebrate - what should we expect from the show?

Expect a lot of energy! I’ll have an explosive jazz drummer with me, Derin Bayhan, and Casper Hoedemakers on double bass. And I’ll rotate between piano, synths, quiet guitars and very loud guitars. The George Tavern is one of my favorite venues with it’s ceaky wooden floors and burning candles, so soulful. We’ll turn it into a proper voodoo church! And I’ll have some special guests, come and you’ll see...

7. What would your dream gig look like? Are there any artists you’d love to play alongside, locally and further afield?

My dream gig would be in an old, Moulin Rouge-like theatre, with dancers and tribal drums, an orchestra, cocktails abundantly flowing and trapeze artists flying overhead! I love mixing poetry with music, and have worked with a wonderful Californian writer by the name of Chip Martin in the past which I hope to repeat. A collaboration with Soho poet Jeremy Reed could be quite spaced out.. Further afield.. Jean-Claude Vannier? Or a duet with PJ Harvey.

8. What does the rest of 2017 hold for you?

I just became a father, so it probably does not hold a lot of sleep! But musicwise I have a lot of stuff coming, and plenty gigs.. I am looking to release my debut album in the fall. It’s a concept album called ‘From Darkness, Light’. That will be a big milestone for me.

Brudini plays a single launch show at The George Tavern on 4th March - tickets here, supports TBA!

Eight questions with Catgod

(c) Ian Wallman

1. Who are Catgod, and what does the change of name represent for the band? (a short introduction)

Catgod are a groove collective based in Oxford who combine trip-hop, jazz n’ soul with too many lead vocalists ;) It signifies us moving away from our previously more flamenco inspired sound(as Roberto y Amigos) and towards influences from more souly types like Otis Redding and darker types like Portishead and Massive Attack.

2. How long have you been making music together, and what have the highlights been so far?

Well we started writing for our album around a year ago now. We’ve been working on our live set together for around 4 months. Being played on BBC Radio 6 Music twice in one week was pretty exciting but it doesn’t top the look George and Henry give me when something goes wrong when we’re playing live…

3. Your debut record ‘Ready When You Are’ was launched just over a month ago with a really successful show at ODHHC, how does it feel to have the record out for people to listen to? Feel free to big up everybody who worked on the record and any interesting stories behind how you started playing together!

Personally I felt pretty relieved to get it out there. I think after you’ve released something you’ve been working on for a while, you feel like you a ready to move onto new things and realise it was taking away some of your energy. Think everyone felt kinda proud? Ggguys? Peeps who worked on the album were a mixture of friends from school and mates from other bands. I’ve been trying to steal George Purnell from his other band Homeplanetearth for years now…

4. As the gig in December was such a hit, for any artists reading this who might be looking to organise a show with Tigmus, or have one booked in already, do you have any tips for successfully self-promoting a gig?

It all starts with getting the people who you know to come along. If you make sure 50% of the people you’ve met and connected with are there on the night it’s a great way to get the ball rolling.

5. Who is your audience and how do you connect with your fans?

We connect via fresh dog and cat videos posted straight to our instagram site… https://www.instagram.com/catgodmusic - also signing up to our mailing list is a great way to hear about secret gigs and crazy cat inspired parties.

6. What would your dream gig look like? Are there any artists you’d love to play alongside, locally and further afield?

The dream would be to play atop the Sphinx to a small group of people who wanted to be that high too.

7. We’re looking forward to your support slot for us at the Holly Redford Jones EP launch in Feb - what kind of set can we expect at the show, and how will you be preparing for the evening? Any unique pre-show rituals?

We’ve been working on our group vocal chord warm ups… 1, 1 2 1, 1 2 3 2 1, 1 2 3 4 3 2 1… Know that one? You can expect hot chords, good bass and two drum kits…

8. What does the rest of 2017 hold for you?

We hope to be releasing some new music soon. Really excited to share it with everyone!

Catgod support Holly Redford Jones at her EP launch at Oxford's Fusion Arts on 18th Feb, alongside Calÿpso  - tickets here!