THE AUTUMN DEFENSE + Plush (Liam Hayes solo performance) + Paul Cook

Wed 3rd Sep 2008

The Luminaire presents
THE AUTUMN DEFENSE
+ Plush (Liam Hayes solo performance)
+ Paul Cook

Doors 7.30
£8 via WeGotTickets and TicketWeb
£10 door

The Autumn Defense arrived with the 21st century, capturing colors of a bygone era. The Autumn Defense is the result of a collaboration between John Stirratt, longtime member of Wilco and formerly Uncle Tupelo and musical compatriot Pat Sansone (who has worked with Joseph Arthur, Andrew Bird, Swan Dive, Josh Rouse to name a few).

Between noontime highs and slipping sunsets, The Autumn Defense create a sound which both embraces and resists the moods of autumn, and so defines their name. The multi-instrumental duo chase the sun westward to the California coast, gathering inspiration from classic L.A. pop and well-crafted melody in the' 60s and '70s traditions. Between gentle harmonies and instrumental texturing, the associations are tempting: a trace of the Beach Boys or a Wilson brother? The Byrds, brothers Gibb, Bread, Zombies piano pop?

Between John Stirratt's busy touring schedule with Wilco and Pat Sansone's multitude of production engagements, they've woven earthy folk-pop, exuding ameliorative qualities, where horns and strings are used because they sound nice, not out of a self-appointed duty to past musical idols.

Sunny acoustics and vintage keys over lazy brushes set the character, reminding the listener of an old Gordon Lightfoot album, only to have the notion reinforced by the wave of strings and gentle background shakers that follow.

Support from Plush (in Liam Hayes' solo guise) and Paul Cook

Ahead of it's release on August 25th, Plush's 'Fed' received a full page 5 star review in Uncut, a superb lead review in Plan B and 4 stars in both Mojo and Q.

"Fed is beautifully excessive, ornamented with dazzling soul/pop arrangements. And the songs are glorious..." (Uncut *****)

"Fed is something of a lost classic." (Mojo ****)

"Fed can be finally heard as a testament to Hayes's widescreen obsessions." (Q ****)

"Perfect takes time." (Plan B)

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