- BY TOUTATIS: Disturbing the peace
By Toutatis photograph taken by David Major©
IT WAS a cold northern night at Middlesbrough's central library, but inside a community gathers over hot tea and coffee. As I enter the reference library I quickly scan the room, I noticed the crowd were truly non-disparate, in every sense of the term. The old sporting early winter wear, the young sporting ripped Levis, the BBC Four listeners sat adjacent to the Pitchfork subscribers. Surrounding us are books on the shelves choc-full of local history, penning us in happily like fishes in Northumbrian water. What we all shared in common that night was not the clothes on our back but the will to support something special, courtesy of Teesside's most ambitious and conveniently well-dressed band By Toutatis.
Earlier this year By Toutatis released their long awaited debut album "The Songs We Sang To Death" on Tiny Lights records; this came after rave support from followers and friends of the band. On this record the band's attention to detail resonates with the listener, it transcribes tales of tragedy and celebration, the persistence of memory. Daniel Cochran's sad and aptly somber voice paints thickets of imagery, as the Toutatis musical back drop doffs its hat to the likes of Nick Cave, I Like Trains and Scott Walker.
As Bjork slowly faded out from the speakers, Rick, Matt and Dan wearily walk towards their instruments. Dressed Like Wolves are a project launched by principle Teesside singer-songwriter Rick Dobbing. Their music though painfully sentimental, is dressed beautifully; joyfully sad layers intertwine Matt's multi-instrumental talents are accompanied by his Spector-like ear for music. The many sounds from the xylophone ,organ and guitar both electric and acoustic fused with Rick's childlike voice made for an introspective atmospheric listen; akin to the best american lo-fi you've heard varnished with an Elephant Six influence. Each song performed very well and meticulously. Matt's rapport with the audience was that of a comedian's, laced with Boro-isms and on stage banter, he declared his fondness for the books on the surrounding shelves, especially the ones on teletext.
Shortly afterwards Natasha Haws awkwardly stepped onto the stage, warning the audience of her nerves and her queasiness, and the chips and peas she had ate were making her queasy. As she began to play with each song her voice grew on me, it was much like Fiona Apple if she'd have come from the north-east of Great Britain and ditched her Costello records in favour of PJ Harvey’s whole back catalogue instead. Her honest feminist pop-songs recalling failed relationships remain sincere to the end, a powerful and note-worthy performance.
Although I had seen By Toutatis before, words couldn't describe how well rehearsed and well-arranged their live music was performed. It was literally like an audible head scratch, could they fail to surprise me? The flow of the songs transcribed from their lush LP were performed brilliantly, each song ebbing and flowing effortlessly, the instrumentation second to none, Robbie Major's melancholy violin complimenting Ben Hopkinson's impressive many musical talents (saxophone, guitar, piano) with every number that followed. Cochran's vocal lines lamented with sarcasm, honesty, irony and at times candid fury were second to none.
Songs such as 'Continental Drift' 'Flags' and 'With a Heart That Barely Beats' Toutatis favourites of mine, were played fantastically. In particular the song 'Rebecca' had its crescendos building and breaking again throughout, like waves rising and crashing only to retreat in the sea. The set also featured a traditional English folk performance acapella courtesy of the band's drummer Ben Muriel, it was most certainly sad and ale ridden. The set was defined though by its awe inducing end as a whole brass and string section accompanied the band for an unnamed seven minute performance which was cinematic, lush sounding and quintessentially British. The group then bowed to cheers and a standing ovation one that the Middlesbrough Reference Library was hardly to have experienced before. The audience were full of smiles, utterly satisfied and elated, I had hoped the band felt the same. I remember thinking what a true success the night had been and I was over joyed for everyone who had played as this night was nothing short of memorable.
Below is a video link to the By Toutatis single 'Rebecca' from their album 'The Songs We Sang To Death':
Written by Ryan D. Welsh
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