Grass House – ‘I was a Streetlight’ Launch – The Lexington
It’s sweltering, it’s cramped, and I’m fairly sure I’m the only person in here without a beard or wool trousers. That can only mean one thing: it’s a Grass House gig. But it’s not just any gig. It’s the single launch for ‘I Was A Streetlight’, the new track from their forthcoming album, and I am jostling for position with every aficionado and scenester within a four-mile radius of this famous little venue.
Grass House deserve the praise of all these punters as they continue to compliment their artistic direction with artistic merit. They do so again tonight with a visual show to back up the audio pleasure. But before the green splendour of Grass House, we were treated to Dark Bells and their own brand of atmospheric rock.
They took to the stage and represented their name to the utmost with the stage lights turned down and the crowd left peering into the dark stage except for a flash of guitar or a bolt of vocals, which would periodically come hurtling out of the alluring abyss. Apart from the irony surrounding this choice of a support act considering the single’s title, Dark Bells provided the perfect aperitif visually, as Grass House took the dark stage and suitably lit it up.
Coming onto the stage with a casual nod at the crowd and walking on with a knowing nonchalance, they reach their LED-laden mics, and the backdrop visuals begin. We are all welcomed into the Grass House.
‘I Was A Streetlight’ is a perfect example of Grass House’s music, instrumentally astute as well as lyrically poignant. It takes us on a familiar path to an unknown destination, a beautiful combination. There is a country/folk element running through this otherwise indie-based sound as they dabble with Americana and toy with what it means to be British.
As I previously mentioned, the Lexington on this night (as on most) was full to the brim with either people in the know or people who think they should be known, but that’s not a bad thing. This kind of melodic rock n roll demands attention with its wry lyrics, concrete rhythm and guitars like an artist’s paintbrush. This is the kind of band that attracts scenesters, mainly because it’s creating its own scene.
Check out the track below.
