File
this one under “It never hurts to ask…!” Splendid Street singer-songwriter and
star of Swindon Shuffle Saturday, Nick Parker, announced an early Autumn tour,
both solo headline shows and in support of his mate Gaz Brookfield’s solo
shenanigans. The nearest Nick/Gaz dates seemed to clash with other things, however,
but there was an intriguing “Swindon House Show” on the itinerary. Finding out
it was being hosted by my recent gig acquaintance Grant, I put in a tentative
request to come along, which was thankfully accepted. As I said, never hurts to
ask…!
My
initial request was actually threefold, for mate Rich Carter and for Logan as
well. Unfortunately Rich’s shift pattern changed and Logan was feeling a little
under the weather, so my invite ended up being just for me! I therefore arrived
solo at 7.30 to handshakes from Grant and bearhugs from Nick, and enjoyed some
convivial historical gig and indie rock chat (James and Carter USM particularly
cropping up frequently in conversation!) with Grant’s other guests as they
arrived.
We
eventually gathered on and around the sofas lining the living room, as Nick
took a seat in the window for his first set at 8.30, in front of this small but
attentive audience (Nick commenting frequently at how quiet we all were; just
paying attention, mate!). First set was a run-through of the highlights from
his splendid current album “Besta Venya”, which is rapidly becoming a Rose
favourite in the car. The low-key renditions in this intimate setting suited
Nick’s material perfectly, as it seemed to shine more emphasis onto his clever and
wry wordplay and incisive observational lyrical style. Opener “Departures” was
a perfect example, holding up a mirror to the minutiae of humanity at an
airport departure lounge, and “Simple Song”, a duet with his German friend
Emily, was a sweet and touching ballad. We also were treated to some more
extensive between-song chat and trivia regarding the material, with “Make
Yourself At Home” being a story of his worst ever gig, and “Down With The
Youth” apparently featuring on a forthcoming American TV show! “Es Tut Mir
Leid” closed out the opening set, Emily doing a good job of handling all 4 cue
cards herself!
Pizza
and more rock chat during the interval, including catching up with Nick and
passing along Logan’s “entschuldigung” for his non-attendance. We’ll see Nick
in February in Southampton, all being well! 10 pm ticked around, and a now more
relaxed and “well-refreshed” Nick placed his large glass of red wine on the
open window-sill (having opened the window during the first set with a warning
comment of, “what about the neighbours?” and receiving the general reply of,
“fuck ‘em! There’s more of us than them!”) for the second set, a request-driven
selection of his older material, which was largely unfamiliar to me, but
generally really easy listening, them apples not falling that far from the
tree, after all…! A familiar one to kick off, however, in “Terry And June”,
being face-timed by a fellow attendee for his daughter’s birthday, to Nick’s
feigning awkwardness and her general embarrassment (particularly the preceding
rendition of “Happy Birthday”!). After a Weakerthans cover featuring Emily on
lead vocals, it was back to the oldie requests, with a very Dando-esque “The
Conjurer”, a folksy, Waterboys-referencing “Never Been To Dublin” and an
excellent “Could We At Least Try” (this number being party to my favourite song
trivia of the night, the subject being about a guy finding out his girlfriend
is a prostitute!) highlights. “Oceanographer” was a lovely, plaintive lament,
then “Another Journey Home”, a traditional hum-along set closer, collapsed into
a giggle-fest, so “Come On! Jump Over Your Shadow”, which saw those present
ring each other for strange echoey sound effects to augment the song, actually
rounded off the night.
Chatting,
merch and fond farewells before I headed off home, getting lost around
unfamiliar territory… D’oh! Nonetheless, this was a fun evening in convivial
company, and a performance of 2 halves from Nick Parker; the low-key master
craftsman in one, and the red-wine fuelled jovial raconteur and entertainer in
the other. Nice work – thanks again to Grant. Glad I asked!
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