'I
Virgiia
PEOPLE IN THE UK SAY THE ALBUM MAKES THEM WANT TO MOVE TO VIRGINIA
i Beguiling singer and storyteller Devon Sproule’s songs are so evocative they could be used as adverts for her home town. Rachel Devine gets in a state
f the Virginia tourist board eyer needs an adyertising jingle to sell their leafy state. they could do worse than ask l)e\'on Sproule to pen them a song.
Sproule's latest album. Keep Your Silver Sliiiii'il. is the sound of Virginia condensed into ten songs. It is balmy nights on the back porch and langiiorous walks through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's ye olde America from a fresh perspective for a new generation.
"I‘he thing that tickles me most about people who like the album in the l'ls' is that they always say something about how it makes them want to moye to Virginia.‘ says Sprotile. in her treacle drawl. 'People tell me it sounds pretty nice in Virginia and that perhaps they might like to sit on a porch there. It‘s so far away from the way y'alls life is so I guess it feels homey btit exotic at the same time.’
Keep Iiiiir Silver S/iiiii’il is Sproule‘s fourth album but when she talks about how it was made it becomes clear that she sees it as the start of her musical journey. ‘lt's way better and best.' she says with a litter of self- satisfaction. It was written during the most important love affair of her life. her engagement and marriage to her husband Paul (‘urreri who will share the bill with Sprotile on a tour of Europe this month. including dates in Glasgow and Iidinbtirgh. guess it‘s natural that hits of my life make it into my songs.‘ says Sproule (the artwork of the album is made tip of her wedding photos). ‘But it also came about as a result of me discoy'ering genres of music that I felt comfortable with and that suited the feel of the record. I didn't feel limited to playing music that's indigenous to Virginia or anything.‘
64 TME LIST 31 Jan—k1 Fet‘ LOGS
Born in (‘anada and brought up in a commune in the
Virginian countryside. Sproule started playing guitar
from an early age and was already performing by 15. singing coy'et' Versions of LII. I’hair songs at open mic sessions in and around her home (‘harlottesy'ille Her particular brand of Americana occupies a space balanced with the feisty folk charms of Joni Mitchell and the ja/l and swing sounds of the l‘)3()s and 4(ls. It‘s sunny and optimistic btit tinged with gentle pathos. Dressed in her 1940s dresses. with an oyei'si/ed \ intage (iibson slung around her neck. she wouldn‘t look out of place in the Carter Family.
But touring with her husband. with whom she works closely in and otit of the sttidio. has its drawbacks. ‘We do like being apart because it keeps things special — but I suppose being away from Virginia keeps things special too.‘
While they are missing a traditional Valentine‘s Day duet concert they play eyery year in (‘Iiarlottesy'illo the pair will finish ey'ery' night with a few romantic duets. Sproule is reluctant to reveal the set list btit admits one is by reggae band Black L'hui‘u.
‘You don‘t want to do it in a Jamaican accent but you also don’t want to be too white about.‘ says Sproule with a nCt'Votis laugh. 'lt's just a really cool song. People can make tip their own minds when they hear ii.‘
If it makes them want to move to Jamaica then Sproule really does haye the magic touch.
Oran Mor, Glasgow, Sat 2 Feb; The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Sun 3 Feb.
town of
Welto There's something stirring in the north. at this new night of DJs. spoken word performances and music. including live folk from HMS Ginafore. the experimental electronica of Sarina (pictured) and even the odd funky house DJ to keep things. as they put it. ‘loose‘ . The Village. Edinburgh, Fri 8 Feb. (Rock 8 Pop)
The NME Awards Tour Joe Lean and the Jung Jang Jong (good band. bad name). The Cribs (bad hair. good songs), The Ting Tings (good hair. better tunesi and Does It Offend You, Yeah? (Stupid name, stupid mu5icl fly the flag for British musical dexterity in the 213i century. See prevrew, page 66. Barrow/and, Glasgow. Fri 7 Feb. (Rock 8 Pop)
Damn Shames Two shows for Glasgow's newest wanton guitar rebels. with the excellent Fangs and Stinky Munchkins supporting respectively at each date. The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Thu 37 Jan; Art School, Glasgow. Sat 2 Feb. (Rock 8 Pop)
Georgie James Lovable duo of feel good indie popsters from Washington DC endorsed by Conor ‘Bright Eyes' Oberst. Nice ’n 'S/eazy. Glasgow, Fri 7 Feb. (Flock 8 Pop)
DMX Crew The musical madrigals at Miso host an evening with England's original electro don. The Ivy, Glasgow. Sat 9 Feb. (Rock 8 Poo)
Black Francis and XX Teens Erstwhile Pixies head honcho resorts to his other stage name (keep up!) for this most Pixie-ish material in some time. Garage, Glasgow. Sun 70 Feb. (Rock 8 Pop)
radio.string.quartet The music of jazz-fusion behemoth the Mahavishnu Orchestra would be high on the list of least-likely subjects for a string quartet to tackle, but this Austrian outfit not only make good musical sense of the project. but bring out fascinating new facets in the original work in the process. City Hall, Glasgow, Thu 74 Feb; The Lot, Edinburgh, Fri 75 Feb. (Jazz)