By Ewan Bissell
An anagram of his full name, Harmer Jays spawned as part of Harry James’ desire to take on a broader creative scope after leaving his old band Tell The Hoi. I spoke to Harry about his eclectic influences just before the show. Citing the likes of FKA Twigs, Olivia Dean and Sylvian Esso, the attraction to these ever-tinkering perfectionist songwriters was clear to see as he took to the stage. Basking in the light of this divine all consuming organ and rippling drums, Harry stood utterly majestic in a knit vest and slicked hair. I’m not sure if he’ll appreciate this but seeing him up there I couldn’t help but think of his namesake Mr. Styles, though I’d make the case that Harmer edges him out.
Backed up by a three piece band featuring a range of succulent keyboard tones (one for every mood, one for every feeling) the band’s work in tandem with Harry’s stunning vocals. His voice was so emotive, each word clear and cutting to the soul. They break out into this beautiful keyboard line. It repeats itself as the band throw a new chord at it, taking you round the houses and dropping you back where you started, Harry half serenading, half lamenting to the gathered crowds. Combined, Harmer Jays achieve such a broad palate of emotion in their music and it speaks to their intelligence as songwriters and as performers. The hooks are so bright but they draw in to this understated sense of mutual recognition.
Much like the best pop singers Harmer Jays makes you feel understood and seen, sketching a picture of a glittering, brilliant landscape. The set went on through more sleek and stylish tunes eventually reaching California In Bloom, which became the towering centrepiece at the heart of their show. An empassioned ballad with a brutal ripping synth under the chorus, Harry leaned over his keyboard addressing the crowd like a sorry pastor. Singing of times, and tides, and deserts, and lovers, it was a song everyone could sing.
You can listen to Harmer Jays on Spotify including their 2022 single California in Bloom, and you can catch them at Crofters Rights on the 31st of March.
For Fans Of: Joji, Mac DeMarco, Cory Wong
I spoke to Sweet Juno before their soundcheck, and immediately clocked that they were the couple of boys looking slightly baffled earlier at The Louisiana’s exterior. A more traditional four piece – Joe played a paint splattered bass and sang lead with Lily on rhythm guitar providing gorgeous backing vocals. Alongside them was Kieran on lead guitar (the eponymous character in their self proclaimed favourite song to play – Kieran’s Song.) as well as stand-in drummer Hugh. For reference their usual kit basher was in a casino down the road – working, I’m assured. We spoke about Teenage Fanclub and Elliot Smith and then they were whisked away for soundcheck.
By the time it got round for them to start the room had started to fill and I got squeezed up against the sound desk. Hugh sat at the kit. He looked like he belonged. He sounded like it too, the chemistry great for a group missing a regular. Their openers were jaunty offbeat indie affairs, and you could see how much fun they were having on stage. That stuff is infectious. They had fun with the structure too, with a big, speeding transition into the third song. Even though this incarnation had only played together for a week, engaging with the format like that shows their know how. Really they’ve been together for four years. The music is so tender, full of love, and melancholy running through it. A prime example being Walk In The Park, a matter of fact indie epic with howling guitars and an off kilter beat. And there she goes, out the door/I think I could love her a little bit more sings Joe. Lily cries out with this haunting backing, in a way that reminds me of Regine Chassange of Arcade Fire – so powerful and desperate.
By the end of it they were swinging from my heartstrings. The playfulness combined with a misty-eyed view of the world transcended everything, their look, their mood, their music. It’s taken them four years to get to this point but it doesn’t feel narrow or particularly refined rather it feels all encompassing, tender, overwhelmingly emotional, warm hearted and
welcoming. Sweet Juno come highly highly recommended - you can listen to a few of their singles including Walk In The Park and a new self titled single on Spotify, and you can find their next gig announcements on Instagram @sweetjunoband.
For Fans Of: Sparklehorse, Camera Obscura, Flaming Lips, Guv’ner, Arcade Fire, The
Shangri-Las
And then it was time for the main event. Ellie Evans has been on an interstellar trajectory over the last few months and it's easy to see why. Her singles The Friend I Kiss and Breakfast on the Roof are both smash hits and have been embraced by the indie-girl-bedroom-pop-tiktok community. There were even a couple of diehard fans outside The Louisiana from half five. I spoke to them for a bit before the show – Erin and Courtney had started listening to Ellie after hearing Breakfast on the Roof on Tiktok, and found themselves at The Louisiana for Evans’ headline debut.
For a group who had only been together since November, she and her band were formally very impressive. Her vocal power was breathtaking, reminiscent of the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, but her mic skills went beyond her singing. Ellie was a natural on stage. Chinwagging with her adoring crowd, joking with her band, and introducing songs like a seasoned professional – “This one’s about someone who made me feel like shit” elicited a particularly strong chorus of boos. The tunes were emotional and satisfying. Tina Turner esque power ballad The Friend I Kiss has a chorus with such heartpounding momentum a live performance is a must see, while Grace - an ode to a friend featuring a big build up and release to a magic piano hook - was one of the most moving numbers.
Then Ellie introduced the next song as an ABBA cover, and almost shying away from the bonafide pop star credentials she had built up over the last half an hour they leapt into a mad, desert rock version of Lay All Your Love On Me. Seeming to quote from the likes of Green On Red and Chuck Prophet, the confidence and skill to pull this off in the middle of a belting pop set only bolstered Evans’ burgeoning star status.
During the closer, Breakfast On The Roof, I took some time to reflect and realised that something special was unfolding. Here I was, at the back of the room as Evans’ fans sang along, knowing every word off by heart. It felt as if Evans’ name might just fit in the same breath as those great artists who’d played that stage before soon. The cherry on top was a raucous encore of Voulez-Vous with Evans again shying away from her pop heritage – “We’re not an ABBA cover band, I swear!” A breathless show, she left us all desperate for more.
The thing is, even when an Ellie Evans gig is finished, it’s not really. I’ve had The Friend I Kiss stuck in my head for days.
Follow Ellie on Tiktok and Spotify to hear her stuff and stay in the loop for new releases, and follow her on Instagram @ellieeeevans for her next gig announcements.
For Fans Of: Avril Lavigne, The Cure, Billie Eilish
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