Rattle and drum: Rattle live at Nottingham Writers' Studio - Photo by Paul Klotschkow
Deep down in the bowels of Nottingham Writers’ Studio, a former pram shop at the bottom end of Hockley turned in to a sort of workshop space for local wordy types, it’s hot and stuffy as what must be the building’s hot water system zig zags above our heads. A couple of drum kits are set up in the corner of the room, their stools soon to be occupied by Theresa Wrigley and Katherine Eira Brown, the duo that make up Rattle. Aside from a few fairy lights that have been strung up on the wall it’s a simple space that’s used well, a more than apt setting for tonight’s gig then.
If you’ve not seen or heard Rattle before, think music that has been stripped down to its most basic ingredients and all that’s left is the bare minimum – in this case drums and voice. Or just watch the video for their song Stringer Bell. Don’t worry though this is nothing like being dragged in to drumming circle hell while trying to enjoy yourself on the arboretum. This is furthest away from the bongos and bare feet brigade as you can imagine, thankfully. The band use their drum kits and other percussive bits and bobs to create textured skittering beats.
Looking around the room people are reacting to the music in different ways. Some are doing that kind of awkward bending at the knees on the spot shuffle often witnessed when indie-rock type gigs edge towards getting a bit ‘dancey’. Others have their feet nailed firmly to the ground, gazes fixed somewhere as if the music has infiltrated their headspace and sent them in to a sort of reverie.
And this is where Rattle’s music exists. The two drummers’ insistent percussive beats are heavily textured and nuanced. Stripped of everything except percussion and voice, this skeletal dance music not only has the ability to get even the most awkward of people attempting to move as witnessed with some individuals tonight, the repetitive and constantly circling nature gives Rattle’s music of sort of meditative trance like feel - I wouldn’t be surprised if some of tonight’s audience have been regressed back in to a past life.
Playing their just released debut album in full, the band’s sound is fleshed out by three backing singers who add to the intertwining vocal harmonies and also lend a hand with percussion duties. At one point a spray bottle is utilised for its satisfying ‘shhh’ sound.
There will be some people who will no doubt listen to Rattle and complain about the lack of ‘proper tunes’ or other instruments. But those people are missing the point. Rattle are showing that working within your limitations and setting yourselves strict boundaries is a rewarding and fulfilling way to make music. This is dance music at its most elemental.
Rattle album launch was at Nottingham Writers’ Studio on Friday 12 August 2016.
Rattle’s self-titled debut album is available to listen to and purchase via I Own You Records.
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