Elliot Galvin: The Influencing Machine album launch, 21 February 2018, the Vortex.
I first came across the
phenomenon that is Elliot Galvin live at Dinosaur’s Together As One album launch, and in this
trio form warming up for jazz supergroup Aziza at the Cadogan Hall. I was duly impressed on both occasions.
Add in
the social media build up and the pre-release promotion on bandcamp for The Influencing Machine, and I’d whipped
myself up into a something of an anticipatory lather ahead of this opener to the trio's promo tour.
I’m happy to report
that I wasn’t disappointed.
These three startling young musicians delivered a blistering,
interval-free set, showcasing the whole album. As I often find myself saying,
if you haven’t heard it yet, put it on your shopping list.
The Vortex’s intimacy
as a venue provided the perfect setting, allowing Galvin to
interact with a rapt audience, explaining some of the inspiration behind his
compositions, and expounding the virtues of circuit bending by way of a Dora
the Explorer keyboard – wow!
At times Elliot
appeared like a youthful mad scientist; yet his toys-atop-the-Steinway approach
never felt forced, or gimmicky, or obscured his formidable piano technique.
Mixed in with the quirky sound effects, tempo changes and bursts of sonic
craziness was some stunningly beautiful playing. Indeed, this is a band
chock-full of youthful virtuosity. Corrie Dick, introduced by Elliot with the
prefix “amazing”, responded to his bandleader’s spikey improvisations with mesmerising
technique behind the drumkit, while Tom McCreddie spun basslines threading through the space between - I
love those percussive breaks he delivers – and electric guitar excursions.
The InfluencingMachine is out now on vinyl, CD and download, and there are still a few dates of the tour left.
Catch them if you can. Your circuits will be bent for ever more.
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