Bill Ryder-Jones - With Clara Mann, Hare and Hounds, Birmingham, 24/4/2023

  by Jay Dyer

published: 3 / 7 / 2023

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Seeing Bill Ryder-Jones live has for me been a long time coming. I have had many opportunities over the years, but the stars have never quite aligned for me to be available to go. However – finally – the wonders of a Monday night show at Kings Heath’s The Hare and Hounds gives me to the chance to cross another name off the list of people that “I need to see.” As I wander into The Hare’s downstairs bar, in search of a Guinness, I take a brief glance around the room to spot whether anybody I know is waiting for the venue doors to open. Instead, I find the figure of a man sat in the corner; cross-legged and head down buried within the pages of a book and sipping on a lager. This is the mythical Bill I have been searching for. I know that the time before a show mid-tour is precious, so rather than disturb him I place myself down and read about the new kebabs the venue sells. 8pm – doors open. The sole support act tonight is Clara Mann, a Bristol-based musician that I am intrigued by from what I have heard from the records. She cuts a solitary figure on the tall Venue 1 stage, dimly lit in monochrome. The music begins, and immediately the room is still – completely fixed on every vibration of the guitar string, every quiver of the voice. The songs are a blend of folk, blues, poetry. There is a great sense of fragility in the music, almost desperation in the way that they are delivered. This is wonderful and she presents the dark undertones of the music very well. Clara stares out over the heads of the audience members into the lights, which is something that she jokingly acknowledges she does later between songs. The guitar playing is soft and the use of down tunings really connect the dark passion of the songs. Clara’s vocals are almost operatic in parts, and in others she patterns her vocals in the style of Leonard Cohen. Together they have me completely locked and immersed in the set. She connects with the audience extremely well and lets us know that Bill Ryder-Jones had fallen asleep backstage watching ‘Peep Show’. I really hope to see Clara Birmingham way again. Next is Bill. He finds his way to the stage and sits with a brief smirk towards the audience before him – which has reached a capacity level. There is such a great rapport between the stage and the crowd, with Bill taking the chance to let everybody know that the set will be very free form and request driven. He also acknowledges that he has just woken up, and he is aware that Clara Mann had already informed the room – “That’s her off the tour,” he quips. The music is very low-key, understated, and intimate. It felt very special, and not what I was expecting seeing videos of the full band live set. Bill proceeds through songs such as ‘The Lemon Trees ‘#3'’, ‘Daniel’ and ‘Seabirds’ – exploring all facets of his catalogue. His guitar playing is immaculate, providing softly humming melodies through the room. His vocals are warm and engaging, and they host the unmistakeable notes of a Merseyside accent. Bill has a fantastic way of just being himself – nothing but complete and utter honesty. It is no secret that Bill has suffered anxiety and other mental health issues in the past (something I can very much relate to), and it plays its role through recognition within his music and performance. The songs are brutally honest reflections upon life, both mundane and heart rendering. This is the soundtrack to somebody’s life as they sit and wonder what their place is in this world. I love it, and watch the set wind up feeling grateful to have shared the experience with so many in this intimate venue.

Band Links:-

https://twitter.com/BRyderJones
http://billryderjones.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/billryderjonesmusic
https://plus.google.com/108676043003208220910
https://www.facebook.com/bryderjones/
http://billryderjones.co.uk/

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