Yep, as our latest and hopefully last line-up, we finally got that gig under our belt. Much like the belt of a Midwestern trucker, it was on the last notch and underneath the large stomach of quickly fading dreams, drinking in the last chance saloon. Yes, we really did need to get this gig out the way.
Three at last. April 2016. Photo: Rebecca Deeprose
Of course, nothing goes quite to plan in the world of The Sweet Ordeal, and so various nefarious things tried their best to stymie us. Much like Darlene keeps keeping our trucker hanging on at the saloon, saying she will leave Karl this time, just as soon as her next pay-check comes in. And so he is stopped from following his dream of being a beekeeper in Vermont. Anyway, I digress.
A combination of a disappearing mixing desk, sound engineer no show and the dreaded lurgy getting me and John, meant the gig was a struggle. Having to set up and sound check ourselves whilst cobbling together two of our own mixing desks was not the most auspicious start. Trying to untangle leads and work out which jack went in which hole took an hour. Getting the levels right was very tricky. So tricky in fact we probably got them wrong. It was hard to say as when we started playing we couldn't really hear ourselves. In addition, with troublesomely placed mics we occasionally experienced worse feedback than David Cameron's offshore tax interests.
The Sweet Reveal. Playing live at last. April 2016. Photo: Rebecca Deeprose
Boo hoo, poor us.
Yet afterwards our lovely audience gave us some good, helpful reviews, even when I pressed them to be honest. Feeling that waterboarding was a touch over the top to double check they meant what they said, I had to accept that as is often the case when a band is sad because of technical problems, those watching don't really notice.
Funnily enough, the song I was most bothered about -Pity- got the best reviews. With that lurgy, for me later diagnosed as pneumonia, there was concern that we wouldn't be able to manage the vocals on a song that starts with a Capella harmonies and has me singing at the edges of my usual capacity.
But your brave little boy managed it backed up by Hannah and John. Pity wasn't so shitty after all. Which was good as it second in our set and one of our tunes on our demo recording. And, as far as we can remember it didn't include coughing and spluttering.
Our actual set was:
- Where Do I Go From Here?
- Pity
- Slow Down
- Chinatown
- Feet of Clay
- Museum of You
- Without You
- God Loves A Trier
- Still You Fell
- In Sun Bled Yellow
Or, and yes, I know I have done this before, but its my dead horse and I'll flog it:
- A song about Chris McCandless who died in the Alaskan wilderness of either food poisoning or starvation.
- A song about lack of intimacy.
- A bittersweet song about children growing up.
- A song about a one night stand.
- A song about fallibility in relationships.
- A song about the unwanted end of a relationship.
- A song with lyrics by John, so I am not sure what its about, but its definitely downbeat, so don't worry.
- A song about fancying someone. And rain.
- A song about infanticide, based on a true story.
- A song about dumping someone at the airport.
Or, more succinctly:
- Death
- Sex
- Sadness
- Sadness
- Resignation
- Breakdown
- Probably sadness
- Sex
- Death
- Breakdown
Or: 1-10 the usual indie folk subject matter, if its not fey and pastoral.
In the end highlights for me were getting the handclaps right in Chinatown, John's frown of disapproval when I halted Feet of Clay after messing up, and seeing how happy Hannah was playing an 18th century cello. Thanks Evie! And let's not forget the lovely Jon Arthur who supported us and gave that memorable reworking of Freedom, including his much anticipated kazoo solo.
Hive Five Hannah. April 2016. Photo: Rebecca Deeprose
As I say, those who came were wonderful and kindly clapped in all the right places, except at the end of the aforementioned restarted Feet of Clay when there was a deathly tumbleweed moment! Tut tut!
Best of all was the fact we raised about 60 quid for Heads On mental health charity. Though even better than that? I think I know which hole that jack went in after all.
Best of all was the fact we raised about 60 quid for Heads On mental health charity. Though even better than that? I think I know which hole that jack went in after all.
