REVIEW: Aronas at MOGH
- Posted on July 9, 2007 6:49 PM
- 0 comments
Aronas
The Queen Boadicea'
and the Museum of Garden History
Review by Katie Spain
I've seen Aronas twice in a week - not bad for a double dose of New Zealand talent on opposite sides of London.
I rarely see the same band twice in a month - let alone in the space of seven days (there's just too much on offer in the Big Smoke!). However, Aronas is no average band - and these two gigs were about as similar as little ol' me and my giraffe of a sister....
Aron Ottignon is the front man 'of sorts' of this funky modern day jazz band. He is joined by Josef 'Teets' Secnik on bass, Sam Dubois on steel drums/percussion and Alex Nunez who plays musical havok on his drum kit. Aron has a list of quotes to make even the most demanding of PR agents pass out with glee but a chat with the young Jazz prodigy reveals a humble man concerned with the music and nothing more. His aim is to represent the beats of New Zealand and to spread his take on it throughout the world. For the record, during his last few years in the UK he's done his homeland proud.
Humble or not, a seal of approval is a seal of approval so I'll spout a few for effect. He was the 'TIME OUT' Critics Choice for this year's East Festival and is hailed as one of the 'future of jazz' artists by the Observer Music Monthly magazine. But wait, there's more...
After a stint in Sydney, Australia his debut CD 'Culture Tunnels' was nominated for the Australian ARIA award for 'Best Album'. I felt privileged when I caught him in the intimate surroundings of North London pub 'The Queen Boadicea'. My mate and I sat on a stage-side couch and wound down beneath a blanket of intricate piano-based jazz. The pub was packed and although the crowd at the front bar may have enjoyed the 'background' music, those close to the band enjoyed his residency slot for its private show value. You can see Aron play accompanied by his sister Holly O; a talent-packed stunner with a soul-packed voice. My companion nearly shed his dreadlocks when he met her. She's not just a pretty face though - you have my word.
My second brush with Aron Ottignon came a few days later. The band was billed at a venue with a difference. The Museum Of Garden History is exactly 'what it says on the label'. By day, it is (we even spotted an Australian banksia or two), by night a picturesque event venue. We hadn't come for the 'The Pineapple: King of Fruits' lecture (though I must make an effort to make it down there for that one) but we had come for Jazz - and this is something they do often; and extremely well.
The closest tube is Lambeth North or Westminster and it's a bit of a hike but the effort is worth it and the views along the way set the 'mood' to Soul mode. There's something magical about a moonlit walk along the Thames... do yourself a favour and give yourself some time to meander - a look around the Museum grounds is also advisable. Above all, the food is not to be missed. Bugs and foliage is lovely but the sweet potato bake with lentil salad sent us wild. I'm not sure whether is was his dashing accent or vegetarian culinary skills that got to her but I almost had to hold my friend back from the chef. There should be more research into the aphrodisiac effects of legumes.
Speaking of lovin' I recommend you take a date along to this venue for a night of Jazz. Aronas served us a buffet of rocking jazz tunes and addictive New Zealand beats. As we sat with a glass of wine in hand we smiled along with the band. They were having fun - and beneath the piano stool, Aron's bright trainer-clad feet twisted to the music. If he'd chosen a career as a fabric weaver, Aron's handiwork would be blankets made of rich threads infused with bursts of colour - unique enough to make replication impossible. Collectors would seek the one-off works of art and fellow artists would envy the intricacy with which they were made.
The band have youth on their side; vibrant as the fresh cut flowers from the gardens outside, they lit up the whitewashed walls of the museum. It's good to know that the future of jazz is in good hands - and funky hands at that. The band members are as diverse in backgrounds as they are in looks; headwear alone told the tales of various nationalities and character traits. A yellow trilby bobbed to the rhythm, a baseball cap rocked to the beats while a head of curls bobbed above a thumping drum kit.
The crowd was mixed too; old Jazz fans, young couples and groups of friends fresh from the office were amongst the mix - united by a love of the beats. We loved it, the punters loved it - give them a try... chances are, you will too.
Aronas are off to Roskilde this weekend but are back with a stack of gigs... check out the site for info. If you too want to experience the lovin' vibes of The Museum of Garden History, check out Australian legend Tim Friedman when he hits the venue on Tuesday 31st July (doors 7pm) and Wednesday 1st August (doors 7pm). Full details here.
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