The Jepettos with support from Feet For Wings
Sunday 15th December 2013 – Sunflower Bar, Belfast
The Jepetto’s launched their new EP Trouble and supporting them was Feet for Wings. The four piece folk band, exploit their own individual edge to create a subdued ambiance that fell over the attic of the Sunflower Bar. The crowded room fell to silence to their distinctive sound that’s perfect for chilling out with, especially on a Sunday evening. The rustic guitar rhythms work surprisingly well with the layering of the vocals. Falling under the folk genre they push the boundaries with a peculiar twist, particularly on ‘Cathedral St’ from their recent EP Homes which started mystically and built into an unexpected climax. They also back tracked to wrap things up by playing ‘If Dawn Doesn’t Come’ and ending on a perfect tone with their single ‘Rose before Bloom’. The audience were very appreciative and it truly was a perfect setting for this band to perform.
The Jepettos kicked things off with Good Times from Start New People, lifting the spirit of everyone. They interact with the audience, giving the audience an insight of where their inspirations come from. The vocals are the one thing in particular that sets The Jepettos a league above every other folk band in Belfast; the harmonising is so dazing. Mike and Ruth both have a quirky twang to their voices that work effortlessly together. The diverse instruments that are used through the gig help to keep things fresh and it has to be attributed for the range of instruments that Ruth herself alternates between that helps add that extra appeal to the gig.
‘You’re Not Listening (Hear Me Out) from their new EP Trouble, is worth a listen, the trumpet adds a bit of funk to the tone of the song and it is one of those songs that gets stuck in your head. The Jepettos got the balance of their new and old material spot on, alternating between the two and keeping the punters smiling and totally absorbed with what’s to come next. They recently got some airtime on BBC Introducing with ‘Even Though’ from their new EP, it is truly an entrancing track and would be very hard to switch off. ‘Goldrush’ was their first single released last year and it pretty much sums up the band; the lyrics, vocals and twinkly music combine to create this vividly distinctive track. Rebecca, Tabitha and a banjo joined them on stage for ‘Orchard’, a pleasant surprise to this evening. The textures of their voices were a delight to listen to. ‘Chemicals’ from their new EP is no exception from their already high standard, it ticks all the boxes for another great single. The night is drawn to a close but on a high with ‘Water’, a perfect ending to a perfect night.
