boakes.org

When, by chance, we saw The Velvet Hearts at The Edge a couple of months ago, we were left with the overriding impression that this was a band who had taken a step beyond the norm and were producing something really rather special. We saw them a second time at the sunny Portsmouth Bandstand, and were again impressed, not just by how well the sound translated from the tiny Edge venue, but also by the way the band handled (and revelled in) a stage invasion by a dozen primary school kids, without missing a beat – in terms of stage rapport, think of Barenaked ladies and you’re getting the picture, they enjoy what they do, and it’s infectious.

Tuesday saw TVH return to the Edge, so we were looking forward to seeing them in the same small venue, to properly assess if we were just deliriously happy the first time we saw them, of if they really, really are that good, that well rehearsed, and that entertaining.

They did not disappoint, with now familiar songs from their debut EP and some new ones, along with a great version of Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison. Their hour long set was studded with the same tangential harmonic gems and compelling grooves that had previously caused us to sit up and take note. Subtle variations in pace and style on couple of tracks (compared to their debut EP) illustrated just how hard working the band is, and how many gigs they must be rattling through to be so comfortable with their experimentation.

They seem to have all the right ingredients, musical talent, songwriting talent, an engaing stage presence, a charismatic front man, and possibly most importantly, the ability to have fun whilst creating something really special – which will hopefully keep them going long after a lucky record company exec stumbles onto them and gives them an opportunity to meet a larger audience.

The only problem with “making it big” is that, like a tiny restaurant that builds a loyal business based on word of mouth, there is always a risk that the magic could be spoiled and the undeserving may influence the menu and hog the dessert trolley. Ok, it’s a strange and selfish analogy, but TVH are producing an audio gourmet feast and most who see them are immediately rebooking the largest tables in the restaurant, so that their friends can try the menu.

If any record execs are about to offer these guys a contract and happen to read this, please give us prior notice of any deals so we can book our table in advance. If (and hopefully, probably, when) it happens, it couldn’t be to a nicer, more talented or harder working bunch of people.

---

The Velvet Hearts Debut EP can be purchased from IndieStore for £2.99, there are several videos of studio performances on youtube, their tracks can be streamed on last.fm, and they’re on myspace.

Catch them live at one of their upcoming gigs.