We catch up with CLAYHILL on the last night of a three gig stretch supporting Kathryn Williams on a very warm evening at the Bush Hall.Comprised of former Red Snapper member Ali Friend who tonight's handles the double bass, Ted Barnes (guitar) and former Sunhouse singer Gavin Clark they seem unlikely heroes, especially Gavin, whose hands are folded or in his pockets, while he looks nervous and exposed.
Clayhill kick off the set with "Figure Of Eight", the first track of their debut release mini-album "Cuban Green".Gavin maintains his casual posture with arms folded, arched back and keeping a little distance from the mike, but the vocal he releases ensures everyonesits up. We're quickly seduced by this quiet charmer, his voice does all the boasting for him.
"Figure Of Eight" truly sets the tone with its intelligent, melancholic tune, before "Face Of The Sun" gathers pace and shows expressive build upand change in tempo, and the single "Grasscutter" sways with minimal delicacy.
The audience are starting to show true appreciation, and are simply won over by the fragile acoustics, vocals, double bass and they the elements complement each other perfectly. Indeed, the loudest thing about Clayhill tonight is Ali Friend's shirt, but we can live with that.
'Rushes Of Blonde' and new song 'Watch The Colour Blur' impress again witha casually slowburning feel and are joyous and effortless. Clayhill are starting to relax. They finish their set with "Northern soul", a brooding,reaching number - the amount of people that i can see clutching their EP in their hands indicates Clayhill have won over some new fans. Their music is understated and beautiful and with that all-too special promise of a fine debut album to come, they gain a serious seal of approval tonight.
KATHRYN WILLIAMS is currently touring her new album "Relations" -a covers record - to critical approval and to help herself "fall in love with music again".Having come so close to owning her own mercury music prize back in 2000, this is Kathryn's second album since.
Covers are notorious for being difficult to compliment. It will interesting to see how they translate in this hushed live environment. But as soon as Kathryn arrives on stage its hard not to fall in with hermodest, self-effacing ways. She is accompanied by acoustic guitarist Daveand pianist Lauria, who she introduces as her best friends rather than part of her band.
The set starts with Bee Gees hit "I Started A Joke" and stops almost as quickly as Dave loses his way. Kathryn explains Dave's birthday was a few days earlier and he hasn't quite recovered. Yet after that no mistakes are notiecable. "Devices" follows Kathryn's own tales of bittersweet love and loss, all of which are engrossing and delivered with tinkling glory:elegant, unpretentious and beautiful.
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Quirky tales like "I made The Beatles" - of picked up hitch hikers who proclaimed to have invented popular music and the Beatles and who was swiftly dropped at the nearest lay-by and 'Introduction Song' which comprises of the band saying their name and prompting us to buy her Cds, prove charming and irresistible .
Introducing Lou Reed's "Candy Says" she tells us a surreal story of her talking to Lou Reed over a toasted sandwich, but we go with it anyway, and she proceeds to prove she's a risk taker also. 'White, Blue And Red', and 'Tradition' are darker songs with depth,
Although the real stars tonight are the covers, Neil Young's "Birds", Big Star's "Thirteen" are - in these subtle hands - outstanding minimal reworkings of the originals. Best of all is Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah",which has a bite, and lush vocal bursts which are intense and dazzling.
A heckler shouts to ask her to speak up. Kathryn's smiles betrays an intense joy at having a nice heckler and at last some real interaction with the crowd. Its really hot now but we don't mind. Kathryn explains she's feeling the heat too, unwilling to undo her cardigan because of her sweaty pits.You can't but be comfortable in the company of someone so relaxed.
Clayhill return for the penultimate song, "Baby Blues": a song written for Kathryn's Sister, which is uplifting and refreshing. The last track is their delightful cover of Pavement's "Spit On A Stranger" and it's beautifully simple, with a similarly deft touch.
Kathryn Williams tonight makes you feel special. Her honesty and tender melodies are truly rewarding and being here for this was a rare treat indeed.
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