ALTRES w/ special guest ELECTRA - Bannermans, Edinburgh 24-05-07
The last time the electronic/guitar band played here was way back in the days of the Full Moon Club, and tonight marked their first appearance in Edinburgh since then. Recently the band has undergone something of a renaissance, gathering together a bunch of archive and more recent recordings for a double self-pressed CD, an doing a couple of live concerts where their method of structure and improv has seen the added asset of the completely improvised percussion playing of Cath Costello, providing an altogether extra dimension to the band. So, it was always going to be interesting seeing how the quintet was going to perform and sound tonight, since an even greater extra dimension was to be provided, courtesy of the guest vocals of Electra, one of the most underestimated voices in rock and indie music today.
However, with Cath out of action due to flu, the quartet came to Edinburgh and Electra came too. Set up on stage, with mic at the ready, stage front, the previous band had elected to leave the drum kit set up, so, while Altres began proceedings with a dense cloud of drifting electronics tha soon led to a trademark sequencer run and the band gradually coming together in a hail of choppy guitar chords, expansive rhythms, treated guitar fx and spiraling keys, Electra sat behind the kit and listened. You see, Electra has performed live with Altres before, most notable at last year's West Scottish coast gig, but essentially, while she's heard their music, has had no rehearsals with them, has got nothing prepared and is singing during the times in the set when the inspiration strikes. Thus it was that the second track was the first on which she stood up, looking replsendent, and moved stage front and started to sing - or rather speak - and sing. The track opened with this clock-like electro-percussive ticking rhythm that was soon embellished with an equally paced electronic backing, as the band slowly built up the layers of sound and the density enshrouded the venue like mist from the sea. Over this, Electra provided a breathy soundtrack that related a scenario based around the USA and which was ineterspersed with wordless vocals and sung lines, all completely improvised over the Altres music, and utterly spellbinding. From there on, the Altres wand worked its magic through tracks with a Middle Eastern sound, one track that strayed really close to synth-meets-trance and was so strong with all the layers that were being played on top of the core rhythmic foundations. Electra sang and soared ona couple of the tracks, becoming ever more mesmerising from a vocal and visual standpoint as it went on, perfectly in keeping with the music and remarkably flowing through the airwaves to captivate a totally appreciative audience. Altres endedd the set with the traditional King Crimson-goes-synth rock styled finale as the ferocity finally kicked in and the band delivered one storm-force finale, Electra electing to listen and watch this time around (she joined in on this one at the first observatory gig, to great success, but not tonight).
Overall, magical was just one word to use - amazing, inspired, enjoyable, hypnotic, powerful and impassioned were others. A remarkble night's music and singing, and it now remains to look forward to this year's West Coast gig to see the full sextet in action - and that is going to be an experience to be remembered, for sure. I only hope I get to see it.