Ezra Furman And The Boyfriends, Hannah Lou Clark.
Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. Monday 13th July 2015.
Relatively unknown in his native USA, it is here in the UK that EZRA FURMAN is busily cultivating plenty of ear pricking interest. Indeed, at present he is fast becoming one of the most talked about artists of 2015. With his new album "Perpetual motion people" released just days ago and with the distinct possibility of going top ten (if not higher), it was with a great deal of anticipation that Clubs Roar and Biscuit presented this evening at Esquires. The promoters certainly got what they hoped for as the venue is packed to capacity, quite a mean feat for this town on a Monday night.
This 28 year old singer songwriter has had a varied career spanning nearly ten years. After three albums with his then backing band The Harpoons, it was with his 2012 offering "The year of no returning" that he went solo. The following year saw him release "Day of the dog" and it featured the first appearance of The Boyfriends who are with him tonight. A loud cheer greets the first glimpses of the five musicians who arrive on stage just after 9.15. A small slight figure is the centre of attention. Ezra is attired in a smart jacket, but his legs are bare. He gazes upon the collected gathering and in a soft American drawl announces "Hell, good evening!". The crowd are immediately treated to the sounds of "Cherry Lane".
Unlike some egotistical musicians who have previously graced the Esquires stage throughout the years, Ezra Furman is frequently and fully conversant with his audience of knowledgeable fans, most who seem to know each and every song this evening. He tells of "subjective adjectives" and "songs from the homeland" cause "it's important"! With a cheesy grin he proudly announces "I'm from Chicago". This array of comments brings about a little bit of fan worship as a member of the crowd shouts out "I love you Ezra". This is a musician who is not afraid to disclose that he is wracked with a bit of a personality crisis, split is perhaps too tame a word for it. He possesses such subtle chameleon like talents. Throughout the set tonight, Ezra emphasized the darker side of existence. His words are far more succinct; "This is pure dark". With a controlled snarly rage he performs the patriotic "American soil" with The Boyfriends energetically assisting. Ezra is quite convivial about "the morning routine", we all have it, although personally I don't "crack a little egg". Mr Furman does on "Haunted head".
As the set develops, I ponder. Some artists are bland, almost laboratory manufactured to bypass criticism, sell bucketloads of albums and, no doubt, scoop plenty of Brits and Grammys. This fella does not fall into that category. With a tight backing band that sound collectively like The E-Street Band, Ezra Furman reminds some of a young Jonathan Richman. Musically it compares at times to Bob Dylan fronting The Rocky Horror Show! This enigmatic musician hungrily grabs at experimentation, tinged with both genius and madness. Halfway through the set Ezra removes his jacket to reveal a most fetching little black dress. It is, as he calls it, "gender policing". The crowd lap up what is essentially 'toilet venue' theatre, especially with "Caroline Jones" and "Ordinary life", which is described as a "song about regular living". "Ordinary life" is dramatically performed and Ezra cries out "I'm sick of this concert already". "Mysterious power" is a contrasting older composition. "Lousy Connection" sees him singing with a controlled hysterical vocal delivery, twinned with a fifties doo wop sound. The concoction reaches a zenith with "My zero" which is played "in G sharp" and ends with a spectacular sax finale. The songs come thick and fast and end on a high with, firstly, "Can I sleep in your brain" and then his last single "Restless years". The latter has a marvellous fuzz guitar interlude. At the close every person present applauded with their arms aloft, quite remarkable for a Monday night. Eighteen songs (I think) and a much requested three song encore. It's easy to see why Ezra Furman is building up a following of devotees who feel like he does. They love the raw energy of rock 'n' roll. Perhaps he will join the pantheon of artists whose voices can take you, simply just take you. The virtually three generations of fans mesmerised here tonight would say yes to that.
Opening and returning to Esquires (she supported The Thurston Moore Band in May) is singer songwriter HANNAH LOU CLARK. Thankfully for this reviewer she is without her drum machine. She discloses "it's broken". I feel that Hannah is much better without it. Armed with just her guitar she plays a short set of beautifully crafted and melancholic compositions. These include the bass heavy sounds of "Cowboy Joe" and a touch of distortion for "Kids in heat". Her new one "It's your life" is an instant winner for a lady that reveals that she "was born in Bedfordshire". Our county should be proud of her efforts.
Review by Martin Stapleton. www.bedfordalternativemusic.co.uk