We live in an increasingly strange world, one populated by grassroots bands that either make a living playing live local shows and never record their music or who make music available for download purchase but can’t afford or don’t have the inclination to hit the road and tread the boards. There was a time when the live album was the ultimate balance between these worlds, but it is becoming a rarer and rarer commodity.
This is why I appreciate Is-Y-Deri and the people behind this five-track ep, Secret Garden Gathering. Meaning “Beneath the Oaks” in Welsh, this live collection marks a return for the band after 12 years away, and it proves that they not only have the songs but also can replicate this charming, delicate, and drifting music in the live space.
“Talking Numb3rs” lays out the sonic stall perfectly, straddling the fringes of pop and folk and dreamscape indie as the instruments mesh together to create a sonic cloud that rolls over the listener, the vocals dancing on top. “Fallen Leaves” ups the ante somewhat by introducing additional vocal textures via some cool, boy/girl call and response.
And by the time “You are the Darkness after my Dawn” has wandered between haunting spaciousness and ethereal, anthemic crescendos, we have the perfect reminder of why Secret Garden Gathering was found sharing stages with the likes of Low Anthem, Jane Weaver, Wave Pictures, and Lanterns on the Lake back in the day.
It’s a great EP, a reminder of the power and presence of live music in the right hands, and a fantastic calling card to say, ‘ Guess who’s back. ‘
