The Peryls, London Antenna Studios

December 12, 2009

Down a dark alleyway in Crystal Palace’s Antenna Studios (an actual recording studio), I find my favourite Victorian folk-pop outfit The Peryls (http://www.myspace.com/theperyls) launching their new EP I Have Not Slept One Wink (available from Amazon NOW and HERE) amidst scenes of fortune-tellers, arm-wrestling contests, people dressed in bonnets and potent absinthe shots flying around the place on trays.

A programme and choir-singers greet me outside and as soon as I enter the Extraordinarium, each inch of space is rammed. I’m ushered into a room to have a tarot reading next, where Zelda tells me to close my eyes and hum ‘Hush A Bye Baby’, put three playing cards on my head and then spin around three times. It’s great. Next up is an arm-wrestle, a complimentary ‘tache and some mulled wine.

Not much of a music review so far, is it? Well that’s to come – it’s just testament to how well-organised and put-together their Extraordinarium is that The Peryls deserve a mention of the little quirks. In fact more than a mention, more admiration.

So, here we go… Robin James is the night’s first musical act, just him, his guitar and their word-heavy songs. Fully captivating, his voice is the unique charm, possessing the duck-like charm of Joanna Newsom.

But onto the main act, The Peryls; it seems they’ve truly taken a step up with their new material.  plodding beat now frames their glorious melodies, them having added a janglier edge to the stern sounds of Victoriana previously explored. It’s as dark and enchanting as ever but with the added bonus of more dexterous cello and even richer, more expansive harmonies. The Peryls are out there on their own eschewing the trends, fads and whatever else is supposed to attract crowds, and the packed audience and general feeling of happiness reverberating suggests that they know exactly what they’re doing.

Here are some more photos of The Peryls (all by Paul Stevens):

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