There’s often something special about a pair of voices that spring from a close relationship. When it’s blood, as in the case of the Everly Brothers or First Aid Kit, it’s pretty obvious that growing up together melded and meshed their larynxes into glorious union. An unfortunately surgical image there, but you catch my drift. But when it’s a couple, it’s perhaps all the more impressive...
So it is with wife and husband duo (Issy) Ferris and (Archie) Sylvester. Currently touring their second studio album, Otherness (although they have released numerous EPs), we caught them in fine form at a well-attended Rescue Rooms for a night of beautiful harmonies and expertly crafted earworms, swept along on a river of bluesy, hard folk. If you’ve not come across them before think The Wandering Hearts or Wildwood Kin.
Since meeting in 2016 as solo acts plugging away on London's gig circuit they have clearly hit on a winning formula – both musically and personally - which has been recognised by Rolling Stone magazine who earmarked them as ‘Americana artists to watch’ and the UK Americana Awards 2023 where they scooped ‘UK Album of the Year’.
My partner and I saw them as a duo last summer in the bucolic idyll of the Forest Stage at Bearded Theory. I wouldn’t have been disappointed if they’d opted for a pared-back set up tonight, although I must confess I was chuffed to see drums and keys on stage.
Much of tonight’s set was drawn from their first album, Superhuman, as well as some maiden outings of their new material from Otherness (including one track that Issy proudly told us we were the first audience to hear). The tender indie ballad of Mother and riff-tastic pop verve of Better in Yellow being particular highlights. But with such strong material, it seems churlish to split the herd.
Archie is a superbly fluid and musical guitarist, clearly schooled in the blues but equally at home in the nearby neighbourhoods of rock and folk. He keeps his powder dry, always playing for the song despite having some impressive axe-noodling chops at his disposal. Issy is a wonderfully driving and melodic bassist, adept guitarist and (briefly) flautist, but her voice deserves special mention. Powerful and on the lighter side of the gravelly spectrum, it’s also delicate and keening, and very much at the heart of their sound and a big part of what makes them special.
Pots ‘n’ pans man Ross and ivory tickler (sorry, I didn’t catch your name) were consummate pros, always playing for the song whilst driving things on and enabling Issy and Archie to fully realise the full fat sound of the studio.
Support acts Vona Vella and Jack Francis were both very enjoyable, but a highlight was when Jack (who has at least one album produced by tonight’s main draw) got up on stage with them to play a cover of Glen Campbells’ Witchita Lineman. The fidelity to the original and sheer class of the vocal harmonies and musicianship were quiet special to experience, and a galumphing great highlight for me.
If you want to catch them, they’re continuing their tour with a few more UK dates (although none particularly close) plus an appearance at Black Deer Festival in June.
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