En-route to BLEACH there was a wicked gale whipping down the street. Hair blew across punters’ faces who were stood outside the venue, sucking on a crafty cigarette before entering the upstairs room. Upon entering, I noticed the glowing orange lighting from behind the bunch onstage; I say ‘bunch’, this phrase is used lightly as it was in fact seven of them that peered down from above – much more than the term ‘bunch’ would imply. The lighting was glimmering above their heads as they tucked into their funky, blues driven music. Instantly a grin was brought to many faces as Storm Imogen that raged outside had become all but a distant memory, this was to be some exceptionally absorbing music and was to leave nobody unattended.

Astro Kat are a fresh, new inclusion into the deep and mystifying Brighton music scene. They consist of members of all ages, this is evident from the large, brash beards on some and the mere peach fuzz on others. The music they play is exceptionally driven jazz, soul and blues, it demonstrates their individual talent and their collective musicianship. The group released their debut album in October last year; the album titled Truffle Shuffle is a brash interpretation of everything from Aloe Blacc to White Denim and John Mayer. It is confident and ambitious in every note or time signature that is displayed, it takes dynamics and utilises them to every effect to give the music the movement and temperament of an agitated child in a highchair.

As the band began, they took assuredly to tracks off the album such as the title track, ‘Truffle Shuffle’, a song that from the off abrasively grapples with the crowd. Together, the keys, bass and brass section play on the offbeat behind the vocals as front-man Louis Checkley leans into the crowd and teases them into dancing and letting loose. As crowds go, this is fairly slim, however you can’t help but feel that these are a lucky few who are having the first bite of the Astro Kat apple before it grows bigger and better. Slower numbers such as ‘Backfoot’ take what was probably previously titled as ‘baby-making music’ and really play up to the phrase. Smooth, silky guitar lines hum along whilst the bass of Tom Ward rumbles throughout, teasing you from beat to beat, acting as the platform for Checkley’s voice to dance along to. Mid-way through, the fuzz of Sam Brooks’ guitar breaks into a Jack White-esque tone before bringing you crashing down upon the climatic section. Elsewhere the set demonstrated Brooks’ guitar skills further in numbers such as ‘Gun It Kid’. A track that points to the likes of White Denim and The Smith Westerns, Brooks confidently took to these challenges and played perfectly with drummer Billy Joyce’s testing rhythms.

Ultimately, the most captivating part of Astro Kat’s music is their ability to tamper with timings and tempo, not just their ability to do this but to ensure it is so tight at all times. What this leads to is music that generates such a great, funk-driven groove, it is captivating and deserves to be danced to.

This is music that perfectly adheres to the questioning of Glastonbury’s West Holts stage. With more confidence, there is no reason that this could not grow into something the size of Vintage Trouble or The Steepwater Band. That was my only slight gripe with the show; with more enthusiasm from the group onstage, a crowd that was desperately keen to play along with the sound was kept slightly static. However, taking into account this is still a growing band, you can’t help but get the sense that this is an early day motion as to what is yet to come. As they play more and develop more confidence, you should expect to see them hitting larger venues up and down the country. I for one, really, really hope they do. Their sound is something exceptionally unique to Brighton right now and one that is very important.
Tom Churchill

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