Review: Princeton @ Old Blue Last, May 10th.
Posted by: nick
Our love of Princeton is no secret. Their debut album ‘Cocoon Of Love’ didn’t get an official UK release but we grabbed it on import from Kanine Records in the U.S. and it proved one of our favourites of 2009. The band are currently in the UK for a handful of dates and last night we were at Old Blue Last to enjoy their performance and take some shoddily lit video.
Twins Matt & Jesse Kevel lined up as ever side by side and switched vocal, bass and guitar duties throughout the night. After a bit of near confusion the brothers vow that from now on whoever sings the song will be responsible for dishing out thanks for applause!
These two are certainly in sync but there are subtle differences between their voices and more noticeably between their musical preferences. Matt’s clearly more into the Americana side which we see on the likes of ‘Worried Head’ and their impressive Yo La Tengo cover ‘Sugarcube’.
Meanwhile you can see how side project Kisses is a natural progression for Jesse as he tends to go for the more disco-tinged (think more Jens Lekman than Bee Gees) numbers like new(er) song and set closer this evening ‘Clamouring For Your Heart’, a hit in the making as soon as they get around to releasing it.
Another two new songs aired tonight see some fine keys/synth work from Ben Usen who lends a calypso-esque riff to one of the more upbeat of the two numbers. On this evidence the future looks bright for Princeton.
Princeton are at Madame Jojo’s tonight if anyone reads this in time and opening up are the rather excellent sounding Norwegians Harry’s Gym and enticing Ozzies Dappled Cities. Quick quick quick!
