Freebutt, 15th October 2009
Having heard Teitur Lassen’s music for the first time only recently, it was with great expectation that I headed to The Freebutt for what was sure to be an amazing musical experience. One thing I was sure of was that the support act, whomever it might be, would certainly have their work cut out, and as I made my way into building, I was greeted with a sound of sweetly interjecting female harmonies that suggested they may well be up to the challenge. Daintily dressed duo The Wellingtons set the mood with their stripped down and artfully constructed noir folk tidings. The local beauties combine subtle yet confident vocal harmonies with an array of unconventional percussion, all bound together with a single mournful cello. Their minimalist approach results in a sparse and occasionally uncomfortable sound that’s more accurately described as experimental poetry as opposed to songs.
The dynamic shift from acoustic two-piece to Teitur’s full live band was well received by the modestly sized audience (who obviously know good music when there hear it). Lassen possesses a rare power that’s a joy to behold live. His effortlessly smooth voice has a profound effect on the audience, captivating everyone within earshot. Aside from the enthusiastic applause between songs the crowd is respectfully quiet and still, not wanting to miss a single remark.
His set tonight varies from gorgeously uplifting folk-pop such as crowd favourites ‘Katherine The Waitress’ and ‘Hitchhiker’, to deep introspective acoustic numbers like ‘The Girl I Don’t Know’ and ‘We Still Drink The Same Water’. Both sides of his music are full of humility, soul and sincerity yet despite his prolific talent, Teitur remains a humble and perhaps even shy performer, cracking charmingly geeky jokes and seeming genuinely thankful for the audience’s attention.
It’s a shame though that this special talent is not better known. He certainly deserves to be. But then perhaps tonight’s performance wouldn’t have been so extraordinary if every man and his brother came along. Success can after all be a double-edged sword for genuine artists such as Teitur.
Words by James Watts
Photography by Emmest
myspace.com/teitur
