"The aggressive character of primitive competition leaves its mark on every type of discourse about the Little Other."

The above is a picture of David and Joachim from Montt Mardié performing 'Paraply', their Swedish language cover of Rhianna's 'Umbrella', at Little Other's evening of Special Sounds, last night at Oliver's, Greenwich. The 'cathedral' reverb setting on David's voice rendered every word a wave washing interminably through the crowd, with the piano keys like pebbles washed up in the surf. Earlier in the evening, Same Actor worked up a maelstrom of digitally manipulated sounds from his sitar and dulcimer, Moustache of Insanity charmed us with their sing-along Casio pop, and Monster Bobby belched, mid-song, into the microphone, by way of a tribute to Brian Wilson's performance at Glastonbury 2005. Interval music came in the form of mixtapes made by Steve Reed and Niklas Vestberg, later to be given away as prizes for our Dr Who-themed quiz. As only two teams entered the quiz, and one of them was disqualified for mentioning David Tennant, the cds, hispanophone sounds from Steve and a tasty cocktail of Helen Love, The Shaggs and much more from Nik, were won by a certain mr. Timothy C. Holehouse. Little Other will return to Oliver's, with more Special Sounds, on September the 23rd. I trust I will see you there. . . 

"He practises it with the help of a small bobbin, that is to say, with the LIttle Other."

Whoops! Tomorrow at Oliver's Music Bar, Nevada Street, Greenwich, Little Other presents... Special Sounds! This month there will be swoonsome balladeering from Stockholm's favourite son, Montt Mardié, Casio pop, fumbling and facial hair from Moustache of Insanity, avant-garde instrumental electronic soundscapes wrung from a sitar and MaxMSP software from Same Actor, and the usual bobbins from me, Monster Bobby. Doors open around 8, interval music will be in the form of mixtapes specially selected and segues by our special guests - this month, Mrs. Reed and Nik of Moustache of Insanity and Records Make Great Pets. There will also be a short lecture on the philosophy of Spinoza and a fiendishly difficult quiz. You know full well you'd be a fool to miss it.

"I'll be as solemn as nine owls. But you must excuse a momentary excitement."

Nine Owls in a Baguette at Oliver's Music Bar, Greenwich, Wednesday the 29th of July.

Rod Hull 3000
Monsieur Hibou
Dr Sandfax
The Seal of Approval
What now indeed? To find out more . . . 

Steve's Special Sounds Sketches

Sketches from Steve at Club Silencio (aka Mrs Reed) of the various performers at the last night of Special Sounds at Oliver's Music Bar, on Wednesday July 29th. Steve would like to apologise for his apparent inability to "make pretty girls look pretty" and hopes it doesn't cause any offence.Dave, from Nine Owls in a Baguette (and Nervous Squirrel, custom electronic instruments), emailed me the day after the show:

"We had a fantastic time, and the other artists were amazing - Kaz Simmons especially (I think that must be the name of the singer who sang about sitting on the garden wall etc). It was a bit worrying playing after such good people.

We just about managed to cope even though the power supply to one synth cabinet shorted out at the beginning of the evening (meaning no synth drums or spaceship noise!) - a wisp of smoke showed that either the synth needs more work to make it road worthy, or that I should learn to play the harmonica instead."

Our next night of Special Sounds at Oliver's will be on Wednesday the 26th of August.