Communion was formed in London in 2006 by musicians Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons), Kevin Jones (Bear’s Den), and producer Ian Grimble (Manic Street Preachers, Travis, Beautiful South). Quickly gaining underground success in London, the night moved to Brighton and then gradually to 15 cities in the U.K, then the U.S. and it now has a home in Australia in Melbourne at the Toff In Town.
Already in its short time the Communion stage in Melbourne has hosted: Matt Corby, Fraser A. Gorman, Hayden Calnin, Ainslie Wills, Mike Noga, The Preatures, Sophia Brous, The Trouble With Templeton, I, A Man, Yacht Club DJs, Willy Mason, Thelma Plum and many more.
With this years season just announced with the first show on Sunday 20th October with Bear’s Den (UK), The Tiger and Me, Grizzly Jim Lawrie & Kate Martin, we decided it would only be fitting to ask Maz Tappuni who hosts Communion Presents on X-FM radio in the UK program a mixtape for us.
Bear’s Den – ‘Sahara’
Bear’s Den will be in Australia supporting Matt Corby through October. They’ll also be headlining our Melbourne night on the 20th. This track is the first cut from their new EP Without/Within. An atmospheric builder that hits at the heartstrings. Good souls.
Asgeir – ‘King And Cross’
Asgeir is only 21 and has become a sensation in his domestic music scene. His songs are vibrant and melodic and we really took notice when he released a free download of his acoustic toe rag sessions. However, this “folktronica” track is vibey as hell.
Aidan Knight – ‘Dream Team’
Aidan Knight is a Canadian songwriter. I actually got sent his demo via email and was totally blown away by his record Small Reveal. For some time, Aidan was know as a backing musician playing pop-rock bass lines to pounding hardcore drums. He managed to find time to record his own songs and played all the instruments himself. Aidan Knight, we salute you and your experimental folk project.
Volcano Choir – ‘ByeGone’
Communion have always been and always will support songwriters. Justin Vernon is one of the best songwriters, in my opinion, of our generation. Lyrically, some of it is quite hard to get your head round, especially on the second Bon Iver record, but the arrangements on this song and specifically the new Volcano Choir album are undeniably majestic. One of the best songs and albums of this year.
Catfish And The Bottlemen – ‘Pacifier’
One of the most anthemic songs I’ve heard in the past 2 years. The Llandudno four piece have been making waves over the past year by pretty much touring constantly. Their live set is tight and punchy. They make any venue sound like you’re in an arena. Van McCann, the front man, is one of if not the best front man I’ve ever seen. Shame he looks like Austin Powers.
The Tiger and Me – ‘Other Friends Have Flown Before’
I came across this band recently through our Melbourne rep. There’s a diverse sound to their recordings. This particular track should be called ‘Last Drinks’. It conjures up an image of stumbling out of a bar with your mates at 5am. It’s also just been picked up fitting to soundtrack the new Tim Winton film trailer.
Dan Croll – ‘From Nowhere’
We came across Dan Croll about 3 years when he was playing great folk songs. Much has changed and the production on this track has made this one of the best feel good tunes of 2013. One foot still in the folk world and one foot in the electro world, it seems to work pretty well. The live show consists of four-part harmonies, a full band, and a backing track on some songs. Worth noting he was also educated at LIPA where Mikhael Paskalev and members of Bear’s Den and The Staves both studied too.
Phox – ‘Slow Motion’
One of my favourite new bands in the world. I stumbled across these guys at SXSW earlier this year and instantly fell in love. The lead songstress has one of the softest and most soothing voices I think I’ve ever heard. This seven-piece multi-instrumental band put a smile on your face. They are one of the most genuine bands I’ve seen play, and very creative.
Rosie Carney – ‘What Have you Been Looking For’
Rosie Carney is a 17 year old singer songwriter from Donegal, Ireland. This song is sparse and haunting but it’s Rosie’s voice that really grabs you. If she can carry on writing songs of this quality then we may have a new Laura Marling on our hands.
Lanterns On The Lake – ‘Another Tale From Another English Town’
‘Another Tale From Another English Town’ is taken from the band’s second album Until the Colours run. Their songs are a beautiful mix of epic post rock and melodic ambient folk. Another band that need deserve more recognition.
Communion @ Toff In Town, Melbourne
Sunday 20th October
Bear’s Den (UK), The Tiger and Me, Grizzly Jim Lawrie & Kate Martin
