Dark Dark Dark

There's something utterly charming in the way that music acts as a rare force to find beauty in sadness and heartache. Fortunately, this is the case for a band such as Dark Dark Dark, who given their name, have never been expected to write a unifying, fist-pumping radio anthem for the masses. With the release of their third album 'Who Needs Who', singer Nona Marie Invie and multi-instrumentalist Marshall LaCount together documented the disintegration of their romantic relationship. As far as Friday nights go, needless to say, this isn't exactly a normal night out on the town.

That the band has stayed together in spite of the inner turmoil which could have so easily engulfed them, suggests both a creative dependency and quiet confidence in their craft. This is apparent in the way they present themselves on stage, looking more like a gang of second-hand booksellers than your standard band, the focus is solely on their music, only briefly pausing to acknowledge the crowd and the stifling summer heat.

Rather than being self-indulgent and miserable, the tone of their music evokes a plaintive sense of reflection, particularly on 'Meet In The Dark', with the final refrain of "I'll never get tired of singing these songs" proving just why the band found the strength to keep on despite the change in their personal life. Elsewhere, 'Tell Me' may well be the jauntiest break-up song of all time, which sees LaCount's usually intricate work on the electric banjo swirling into a thrilling crescendo, whilst his former partner sings "I want to live in the time where you cherished me, to go back to the place where your hands moved over me." How they manage to avoid a sense of awkwardness is impossible to fathom, but perhaps these things pale in comparison to the importance and power of what they're doing.

Whereas songs such as 'Tell Me' seemingly act as a cathartic tool for Invie, it's the brooding and desperate 'Hear Me' which proves to be the highlight of the evening. There's a heightened sense of darkness and drama as an elongated intro from trumpet and accordion player Walt McClements makes way for Invie's repeated, tender cry of "hear me." It's a truly arresting moment in the set, which ensures every single member of the audience is doing just as she asks.

Opening the encore, towards the end of the almost-solo 'Patsy Cline', Invie gently sings "but now you're gone, my life goes on", a line which resonates long after the band leave the stage. In spite of their personal struggles, on form like this, it seems as though Dark Dark Dark have every intention of sticking around, finding courage through art. Those already in the know should feel blessed that that appears to be the case.

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.