Norwich based 8-piece band The Vagaband have been making a name for themselves on the UK festival circuit from Glastonbury to Bestival. Capturing their vivacious live performance in a studio was a challenging prospect but their exceptional debut album ‘Town & Country‘, released this month through their own label ‘Eggsong Recordings’, is a worthy testament to a hugely talented band, a veritable smorgasbord feast.
Combining a rich concoction of americana, swing, ragtime, blues and rock they create a unique sound which has great breadth but an overall British feel. The interplay and arrangements are slick, tight and infectious. The songwriting of Jose McGill matches the musical heights of the band making this a well rounded serving. Thanks to their early streetband years they know what moves an audience and they have bottled that and served it up in super strength on Town & Country.
The album is anything but predictable from the jazzy opener ‘Lend Me Your Ears‘ they follow-up with a heady mix of americana on ‘An Ocean‘ with its lush pedal steel and resonator slide. No trademark sound to this band, every track is fresh and unexpected. ‘The Bad & The Ugly‘ takes a page from Morricone with a Mexican Mariachi crossed spaghetti western theme on which Jose is joined by the lovely vocals of Lauren Dove. Whether they’re laying down a whiskey drinking alt-country number (Send in the Cavalry) or re-inventing Tennessee Ernie Ford on their cover of ‘Sixteen Tons‘ they bring great originality and an overall sense of playful fun.
Make sure you catch them live, plenty of dates below, many of which are free!
Town & Country is released September 3rd 2012, distribution via Shellshock.
Video: The Ballad of El Molino
Stream the Album
Live Sessions (Not on Album)
Gigs
Septemeber 2012
Fri 14 Live at The Institute, Kelvedon, Essex
Sat 22 Doc Tavern, Gorleston On Sea @9.00pm free entry
Sun 23 The Falcon, Pulham @2.00pm free entry
Sat 29 with Feral Mouth: Epic, Norwich
Sun 30 The Maddermarket Theatre Folk & Beer Festival @4.00pm free entry
October 2012
Sat 06 Southern Comfort Steamer, Private @7.00pm free entry
Sun 14 The Cottage, Norwich @4.00pm free entry
Sat 27 Real Halloween Party, Holt @12.00am free entry
Sun 28 Real Halloween Party, Holt @12.00am free entry
November 2012
Sun 04 Doc Tavern, Gorleston On Sea @3.00pm free entry
Sun 18 The Green Dragon, Bungay @2.00pm free entry
Thu 22 Rose Tavern Norwich @8.30pm free entry
