Tom Hancocks
(Vocals, Bass Guitar)
Jamie Gray
(Piano, Synth, Bass Guitar)
Adam Scott
(Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Andy Hancocks
(Drums)
Sounds Like
"Evocative piano suggests expansive imagery, like ILT stirring crisp jazz chords to life. A sound emanates that threatens structure then abandons the thought forming the root that flows and ebbs throughout Black and White Tango’s inspiring sound. There’s movement within the blend of keys from Jamie, guitar from Scotty and vocals by Tom, as the band tonight a trio, contribute some very different ideas and motifs. Then elements are cut short as tightly wound piano keys ring out. It’s like watching a beautiful, complicated sonic creature evolve before my eyes. The final number a new track has a standout vocal that works well as a hook, something vaguely recognizable for the crowd to hang on to. A way in maybe this one should open sets in future?
Seeing the band in this semi acoustic setting seems to allow, closer inspection of the differing sounds; more time to move through you, the vocals play around the quietest intricate melodies and jazz guitar flourishes. The shifting genre and tempos may bewilder and hinder the new and the uninitiated but there’s no denying even during the most introspective moments everyone listening is rapt with wonder. Questions arise, as questions often do as Black and White Tango respond then pose more of their own challenging you and themselves with each outing."
Recent years have seen some serious cross polinations of the musical genres,
jazzpunk, crunk, ska punk, nu rave and rapmetal. Okay, so maybe not so much the last one but you get the idea. It seems that the more genres you can get into your musical arsenal the better your music, but Tchaikovsky influenced-indie-rock crossed with flamenco guitar flourishes and jazz leanings? Seriously?
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Black and white Tango. Combining vaudevillian dancehall elements with alternative rock. From the ghostly and grandiose piano courtesy of Jamie intro on "The Ballet" that shows definate influences from the spacey pianos of Muse ("don't ask Jamie about muse!" Tom had warned me earlier) or "Cosmic Love" which slides and blends seemlesly from rock to techno rock through a classical piano solo. It shouldn't suprise you then to find out that bands unique musical vision took over a year to perfect "
We didn't gig for the longest time" explains drummer Andy "it was a year before we had our first gig, and although we had a few songs we were experimenting more with sounds then anything. It takes you out of the loop of all the music going around and that's good because it gives you a chance to develop your own sound without sounding like everyone else on the scene"
"It just gave us a chance to make music that sounded good to us" agrees frontman Tom "I didn't want to play a gig and then the time came, I can't remember when and I just felt ready"
Another group that crops up in descriptions of Black and White Tango are Radiohead , and although certain elements do seem to owe a debt to Thom Yorke and his crew the similarty is more in the bands willingness to push themsleves and do something unexpected and groundbreaking."I don't think it's because we sound like but more because we are trying to do something like them" agrees guitarist and backing vocalist Adam.
Like their music the bands name was deliberated on for a long time until one was finally settled upon "Our name represents the imagery we try to present in our music. Our first song the Ballet was originally called Black and White Tango because it conjured up an image of a black and white movie, the contradiction between the two colours" explains Tom "and I guess that also reflects the different types of music we play with each song. I try to tell a story with each song rather then writing about life and relationships, It's like writing music for a film"
Unlike most bands combining musical genres, Black and White Tango are constantly searching for more elelements to incorporate into their music. "our new song is salsa influenced" comments Tom "I Think the song were most proud of is always the next song we are working on, the newest of the bunch and seeing were we can take it next"
URBAN CONNEXION LIVE @ Pentecost Festival Connecting U 2 Christ
Saturday, May 30TH , 5:30pm Waterloo Action Centre, 14 Baylis Road, Waterloo, London SE1 7AA. ADMISSION IS FREE
Live PA's from Silas / Adelaide Mackenzie Potent Vybez / Karl Nova A.Maze / Gems Changel / ICI Cadet / Catalist Promise / Jimmy Wisperz Chozen Spargon / Prince Akan Ife / Topman Host Michael K
CONFIRMED BANDS FOR 2009 INCLUDE... NINE BLACK ALPS KID BRITISH WAVE MACHINES MISTY’S BIG ADVENTURE THE TRAVELLING BAND TEN BEARS THE VORTEX THE MAYBES KARIMA FRANCIS THE JESSIE ROSE TRIP FRAZER KING CASIO KID GIDEON CONN THE GAY BLADES THE WHISKYCATS TEN BEARS ..... with around 200 bands over the weekend
**** CHECK THE MYSPACE BLOG FOR FULL MUSIC AND ARTS LISTINGS ****
Hi
As the sun is out we are in a great mood and so are offering a special MAY SALE!!
For a limited time only, we are offering rates at £180 per day (including producer/ engineer)!!!
If you are interested in booking or would like more info, please go to contact Simon at simon@covertmusic.co.uk.
Cheers
Simon
Studio & Producer Manager
07958 958 541
simon@covertmusic.co.uk
Hey thanks for checking me out and its amazing you like my music. You can download my songs Walk With Me and The North Wind online and my album will be out later in the year so stay in touch.
Thanks again for your support, it really does mean a lot.
Yes... I'm quite clear about the evening at the Adelphi now... The fact that you were first on was neither here nor there... It was very entertaining and uniquely different... even the audience thinned out considerably after you finished! - I'll make a point of looking out for Black and White Tango again..!! - See you around, Tim.
New self entry INPUT SYSTEM coming ups on thisisull Jamie your gig is on there in ADELPHI lISTINGS PLEASE USE TO ADVERTISE ALL YOUR SHOWS THANKS mICH X
hey Jamie, tried to leave a comment ages ago which didn't work... Anyhew wanted to say that your music is cool; really original sound. And that it was nice to meet you back whenever it was.. Hope you're well, Jenny (All night long singer) (-:
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