Thirteen Senses at the Welly - 4th November 04 By Michelle Dee

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Photograph Gallery   Mando Diao Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3,   Gallery 4,   Thirteen Senses Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Paddingtons

Cornish band Thirteen Senses formed when keyboard player Will and guitarist Tom met up with college friends Adam bassist and Brendon on drums. They played the pub circuit in Cornwall showcasing original material vowing never to play covers. Due to the paucity of suitable venues in Cornwall they looked further a field to try and reach a bigger audience they did gigs in and around the Bath, Bristol area. They decided to relocate to Bristol and had found a property they wished to buy when they received a call from Mercury Records.

They had sent demos to everyone and anyone who they thought could possibly help them become established. In the autumn of 2003 they were signed and commissioned to do an album. Four months later their debut album The Invitation was completed. Unusually the album contains a hidden track not at the end of the disc but halfway through. The title of this track was the inspiration for the album title. The band are now based firmly in London though have spent the last half of the year touring constantly.

They were due to support Travis and Starsailor for special one of performances. Thirteen Senses are also due to support Embrace in their first tour for a number of years.

They told me they approach every gig large or small with the same enthusiasm. The energy levels increase or subside depending on crowd reaction. Brendon told me that they prefer the more intimate gigs where the audience can really feel involved in the musical experience. It also allows Will and Adam the chance to make contact with their fans.

This desire to break down the much talked about gap between artist and audience (by me any way) was clearly demonstrated tonight when Will invited the crowd to come closer.

At the start of the performance there was in front of me, that wide open space that none dare cross. After their opening number and after the encouragement from the well spoken Will, the crowd moved forward en masse. I have never seen such a collective response from a Hull crowd. Thirteen Senses represent the softer side of Indie music a more reflective, introspective feel. Pushing against the raw energy of guitar led bands are the purveyors of piano based tunes.

The way has been paved for Thirteen Senses by the likes of Radiohead, Coldplay and more recently Keane. Comparisons could be made to earlier artists as well, such as Floyd and I noticed a certain Brian Wilson quality. This perception was later confirmed when Will told me he grew up listening to the Beach Boys and the Beatles, he counts The White album as one of his favorites, but this announcement seemed to stir up a lot of discussion in the band and pleas for other titles such as The Bends and rather curiously Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to rank alongside it. They are clearly open to all genres of music and listen to the usual suspects in the gathering Britpop and rock surge, as well as the odd bit of thrash metal on the tour bus: which looked mighty impressive, with a rather sweet little white trailer behind it. An odd sight for 2am on Beverley Rd.

There is something very different about going to a gig where for the most time the lead singer is sat down; albeit creating beautiful music, but sat down, calm in control. Will swapped his keyboard a number of times to play guitar, which served to reflect a different side to the band. The quality of musicianship on show tonight was high, with the slower more intricate pieces you have to be able to play well. You can't hide a lack of ability behind a barrage of noise and posturing as some acts do... At this point I must mention the Tuesday Club.

Two of their members; currently the only two they are looking for a drummer and a bassist so I am told, kindly interrupted the interview I conducted with the Thirteen Senses after the gig. One, I think his name was James proceeded to, mid question I might add, pull down his jeans and proudly reveal to us bemused on lookers the black T tattooed on his right buttock.

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Photograph Gallery   Mando Diao Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3,   Gallery 4,   Thirteen Senses Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Paddingtons

Photographs courtsey and Copyright © Darren Rogers 2004

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