Sylvan Esso was never meant to be a band. Rather, Amelia Meath had written a song called “Play It Right” and sung it with her trio ‘Mountain Man’ back in 2010. She approached Sanborn, an electronic producer working under the name Made of Oak and asked him to remix the track and after remixing it, Sanborn realised that there was something more than this one time collaboration and such was the birth of Sylvan Esso.
 
I discovered Sylvan Esso only a week before their gig at Green Door Store and with Sylvan Esso’s vocals sparking similarities between tUnE-yArDs and Laura Veirs with a hint of Billie Holiday – Sylvan Esso were already set to be a long term favourite in my book. SE then mixes these delicate yet rich-tone vocals with grimy beats, clever production and song writing which gives Sylvan Esso their edge.
 
Not only is their eponymous debut album one of my most exciting finds this year, but have secured the spot for my top new live act of 2014.
 
Lead singer Amelia Meath is clearly a trained dancer and uses this to aid her captivating performance. Meath seems to draw performance inspiration from both traditional African dance moves yet with the edge of contemporary dance, and whilst her performance is rich and strong, never is there even a slight hint of pretentiousness about her. Not only is Meath heavy on the performance aspect of gigging, but her partner in crime Nick Sanborn (who is in charge of electronics, samples and synth), mirrors her enthusiasm yet cradles the entire set allowing Meath to hold only a microphone and continue her grand show uninterrupted by instruments. The relationship they share on stage is one of great intensity – they clearly share a lot of love for each other which is driven through their passion for music.
 
I have never been to a gig in such small a venue as Green Door Store where there was such an explosion of cheers and clapping after each and every single song. Meath even had to wait a few minutes at one point for the audience to stop cheering before she was able to announce the next song during which she looked at Sanborn in amazement at how much enthusiasm they were getting from their Brighton crowd. Not only did Sylvan Esso put on an excellent show, but the relaxed and loving atmosphere they created in the room was one of pure happiness (and sweaty bodies!)
 
Not only do I recommend you buy a copy of their album and see them live but I implore all other Sylvan Esso converts to chain their friends to the floor, sit with them and be hypnotized together whilst watching the beginnings of a new Sylvan Esso fan being born.
 

 
Website: sylvanesso.com