The Glasgow PodcART

When the other PodcART folks heard I was going to this preview there were a few little grimaces of jealousy. If there is any residue of this feeling amongst them, this article will merely reinforce that residue and turn it into a crustacean of envy (insert evil laugh).

Set in the wonderful tiny little cavern of joy of the Liquid Ship, French Wives take up stance on the make-shift stage. This was to be my first live encounter with this band, and my impression of them until this point was that they were a quiet, unassuming yet talented bunch. My impression upon seeing them (aside from feeling really old) was that my first impression was totally correct! On the eyes, they’re a charming bunch and just looking at them made me feel proud to be Scottish.

The intimacy of this particular event detracted nothing from the happiness French Wives generate. If you like your music jolly and toe tappy then this is a band you have to see. ‘Greet Me By The Doorway’ combines all the bouncy rhythm you need to have a slap of the thigh. Throughout the track Violinist Siobhan gives it a gorgeous celtic melody. I’ve seen comparisons to Arcade Fire and Camera Obscura when reading about this band, and while I agree to certain extent I believe there is a much more fun loving, youthful vibration with French Wives.

You certainly cannot escape their talent, throughout the set they changed their positions and swapped around, which is something I always think adds a real touch of authenticity to any set. All of them build on the lilts and harmonies of each song vocally, and instrumentally they’re full of strings and brass, but there’s still that pop touchdown within the arrangements that make this band particularly contemporary.

The band really shined a light on the reasons why we should be watching them. The audience (yes, I am talking about you Mr Gellatly) were literally bouncing along with each track. ‘Me Vs Me’ has to be the cheerful song of the year, starting explosively with all instruments blazing and if you manage to resist the urge to throw cool to the wind and chuck your hands up to clap and sway then well done you. The use of the line “I think my body’s giving up on me” is instantly catching, if you close your eyes you can imagine this lyric being chanted back at the band, festival style, in the summer.

The band commented on their feeling that no one pays attention to them, which if they do feel is true then it wont last long because frankly I don’t understand how they can have stayed under the radar as long as they have! The single ‘Halloween/Dogfight’ was released on the 26th October, and sold out in Avalanche pretty much immediately, which the band are obviously ecstatic about. There were no copies to be had at the gig either sadly, but this can really only mean that they’re about to be thrown into the next level as they so desire, and not undeservedly so.

The aforementioned single was played on our podcast a couple of weeks back and is really the gem at a French Wives show near you. The band themselves have been blown away by people already singing along to the songs at shows. This isn’t really surprising as ‘Halloween’ is a helluva track. ‘This Halloween feels more to me like New Year’ is a perfect lyric to sum up the tone of the song, it’s a gorgeous tribute to getting on with it and moving into the future. It’s so uplifting and inspirational; whatever the reason these guys got into music, I would hope to see one day in the glasgow podcart, future that French Wives, this track in particular, are the reason other bands are inspired.

I can only now beg you to make sure you check the band out if you haven’t already. PodcART have been a fan of these guys for a while and they’ve have been getting loads of attention lately. They’ll stretch a smile across your face just when you need it most, there will be ‘I heart French Wives’ t-shirts everywhere!

Visit the MySpace HERE and look out for upcoming chances to see them live.

Nicola Blair