Sentient by Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Walta

I read a lot of comics and graphics, and thoroughly enjoy them all, they're one of my means of escape, comics are my bag, I love 'em. Though occasionally I come across one's that stand out, which just grab you, real gems, 'Sentient' by Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Walta is one of those gems. Ostensibly a simple story, though really much more, very cleverly written by Jeff Lemire, well, he's got form for great writing, hasn’t he. I don't want to give too much away, so simply, it's a story of children on a ship carrying families to an outer colony, and their interaction with the ships AI. As I say, it's cleverly written, leading you to think you understand what's going on and what's going to happen, before showing you, you don't. This illustrations too by Gabriel Walta are beautifully executed, very nice lines, expressive faces and the measured use of subtle colours are perfect for conveying the story. I consumed all 163 pages with gusto, and was left wanting more. A recommended read.

https://www.comicextra.com/comic/sentient

Sentient @ The King Arthur, Glastonbury 29.10.2016

It's kinda like Déjà vu, man, back at the King Arthur to watch Sentient, but then not so. Yeah, the King Arthur's the same, a public house/venue par excellence, populated with friendly, funny and vibrant staff and punters (more of that later).  Such are the frequency of our visits for gigs, it's taken on a very comfortable homely feel. But Sentient, man, Sentient! They may have been the same four fellows up there on the stage, four musical giants of boundless talent and originality, but each time we see them they bring something new to the party. A tweak here, a nudge into a new direction there, a familiar sound forged anew. What I'm trying to say is, each time we see Sentient they just keep getting better. How the fuck do you consistently improve on what appears perfection? All I know is that they do! For those who don't know, Sentient are: Steffe Sharpstrings on guitar. Steffe's a purveyor of many musical flavours, although he's probably best known for his work with Here and Now and Planet Gong, his glissando and noodling skills are both instantly recognizable and outstanding. Bass is provided by the legendary Mike Howlett, possibly most famously of Gong, although he has many more strings to his bow. When it comes to great bass players look no further, Mike's passion and skill on bass (to my mind) are hard to beat. On drums is the magnificent Steve Cassidy notably of Planet Gong and currently Here and Now. Steve's drumming is clean and powerful, able to drive and maintain the most rhythmic of numbers. Finally on keyboards and synth, Mr twiddly knobbery himself Joie Hinton. You'll know Joie from Ozric Tentacles, Eat Static and currently Here and Now, and, man, does he know his trippy noises. Yeah, I think you've guessed it, Sentient are a kind of counter culture super group.

The room was packed (and, why wouldn't it be!) when Steffe and Joie took to the stage and together began to create some wondrous sounds. Steffe's glissando was bliss, as was his noodling, top shelf stuff and then something new as Steffe played this guitar in a style I'd not heard him play before, fast clean rock shred licks on a jazzy tip (or some such), far out!  All the time Joie, leaning into the keys was watching for cues, smiling, twiddling and tweaking, forming textures for Steffe's guitar to glide across. Way good, man. It's amazing what wonderful musical textures and soundscapes a guitar and keyboards in the hands of great musicians can create (for another great guitar/keyboard combo check out Music of the Andys.) Steffe and Joie played two tracks, both really really nice.  Now Steve and Mike took to the stage to join them, and of course the sound took on new dimensions and directions. The tracks (whether they're 'tracks' or rather the framework for improvisation) appeared to have a stronger funky jazz flavour to them this time around (maybe Mike Howletts influence). I'm not complaining, mind, you gotta love the funk. The sound was rich and deeply layered, inspiration being drawn from diverse musical wells. As well as the funk and jazz elements, there's a dub, space rock, psych feel, as well as the unmistakable echo you hear in a Gong family band. It was bloody beautiful, man, the magic flowed! I love Steffe's guitar style, so natural, he makes it look like a meditation, it's pure guitar poetry, and he looks like he's loving every minute of it, feeling every note. Throughout both sets his glissando and noodling was flawless. Joie was on good form tonight too, his twiddling and tweaking consistently hitting the spot, adding some fantastic synth textures and forms to the mix, which are always welcome. As for Steve's drumming, what a very understated drummer, looking calm and relaxed whilst maintaining a solid unfaltering groove, dropping in great accents and embellishments, as and when. He drove the tracks along. Even when he's going like the clappers, he looks decidedly pedestrian, boss drummer for sure. And then there was Mike Howlett, bass player of behemothic talent and standing.  What a musician, man, his funky bass licks and riffs were something else, with a consistency which was amazing. You couldn't help but stare in awe at his style and presence, faultless bass on every number, the bass flowing through him. I said it last time; the Howlett/Cassidy combination gives Sentient a rhythm section beyond compassion, and that was only re-enforced this evenings performance. I loved the glances the band throw each other, how good a musician you must have to be to improvise and freestyle to such a standard as these fellows achieve. Justifiably, the end of each track was met with loud and sustained applause, the audience were fucking loving it, it was a good audience too, as I previously mentioned, the room was packed. Then there was then a break for refreshments. I noticed a couple of musicians in the audience this evening, Andy Roger of Music of the Andys and Here and Now, and Cary Grace, whose fantastic new release 'The Uffculme Variations' (review to follow) features Steffe (it's an earworm of an album). At the end of the intermission Steve took to the stage and performed some nice solo drumming for us, before the band joined him and they were off again. The second set continued along similar lines to the first, there was a nice reggae-ish number, a rich feast of psychedelic rock flavours with thick layers of jazziness, and plenty of funky flavours too. The band were laying down some seriously sumptuous musical vibes. It was all just so good, man, such a tight sound and yet so free flowing. The band looked to be enjoying it (always nice), and the audience certainly were, most people were up dancing and everybody was certainly having a damn fine time. The evening finished off with a reworking of an old school Here and Now track, and the crowd loved it.  What a spectacular performance, stellar stuff!

Life can be shit sometimes, man, unrelenting heaviness can drag your spirit down; it's nights like this, that help keep that black dog muzzled. The energy from these evenings resonates far beyond the gig itself. I think Abba hit the nail on the head with, '(music) who can live without it. I ask in all honesty, what would life be?'. Word! The power of a good gig to raise and renew ones spirits cannot, and should not, be underestimated. I am truly grateful for the music. And yeah, I referenced Abba, so what! And the 'Arthur', well, as always it was a joy, every box ticked and many stars awarded. The sound guy was on top form again, you wouldn't believe the sound quality for such a small venue, clean and clear, bravo that dude! Now, if you've read any of my reviews of previous King Arthur gigs you'll know we always meet lovely friendly characters. Tonight whilst sitting in the comfy sofas towards the back of the pub, we spied a familiar face (usually we never seem to meet the same people twice). It was sweet Annie (literally from Frome) from our last visit, she was completely bewildered as to who we were, though after chatting a while I think the mists cleared. We recounted our last encounter, and remarked she was more together this time, to which she replied 'Annie, similar, yet not the same'. You've got to laugh. It was lovely to see Annie, you can't beat nice people, especially in to today's world.

Anyways, another top night was had, for which I give big love and thanks to all involved. If you've not seen Sentient or visited the King Arthur, you really need to rectify that.

Sentinet @ the King Arthur 13.8.2016

Fucking astounding! I could just leave it at that, a two word review of last nights Sentient gig at the King Arthur. I could maybe add a couple more exclamation marks, for emphasis. But, as powerful and succinct as that may be, it would just be too lazy and Sentient deserve more... much more ( also, I'm rarely succinct).

I've seen Sentient a few times now, all wondrous, though tonight’s manifestation was imbued with added excitement, as there were new band members on-board. Gone was bass luminary Subs, now that position was taken by the legendary (really, legendary isn't a good enough adjective) Mike Howlett on bass.  When it comes to great bass players Howlett is right up there, his passion and skill shine through brightly, he doesn't just play bass, it flows through him and it shows. Also, Tanya Horn wasn't on drums this evening (although was in the house), that position was filled by the equally magnificent Steve Cassidy. Though a friend who saw Sentient perform Kozfest said they both played, which sounds way cool. Cassidy's drumming is clean and powerful, able to drive and maintain the most rhythmic of numbers.  That wizard of twiddly knobbery Joie Hinton maintained his position at the controls of keyboards and synth. And of course there is Steffe Sharpstrings on guitar. Steffe's a legend, as are his glissando and noodling skills, both instantly recognizable.

As has become commonplace with decent gigs these days, two sets were played of about an hour each, with a small break in-between. What we were served this evening was a tasty feast of, what appeared, improvisational pieces, made up from a myriad of beautifully blended styles and influences, all delivered masterfully. There were psych, dub, space rock and jazz flavours to name few. There was less glissando and more noodling from Steffe this evenings sets that previous gigs, and can the man noodle...yes, and some! Steffe deftly threaded magical paths through the bands improvised sound-scapes, his performance an experience as much spiritual as musical. Mr Howlett was a conduit to the place where bass is born, the bass lines fair burst out of him, as if he were a shaman with the power to birth them. Which he must be, it's the only explanation. Both Steffe and Mr Howlett morphed into space goats at several points, so powerful were the musical vibrations. Well, it's impossible not to. Occasionally Joie, smiling mischievously, would lean over his keyboards towards the audience as if judging just the best moment to lay some mind melting extreme synth twiddling on us. Of course he nailed it every time. Throughout, with steadfast resolve, Steve Cassidy beat the skins, never dropping a beat and making it look effortless (which clearly drumming can't be). What a fantastic drummer, man. The addition of the Howlett/Cassidy combination was something else! (Have mentioned how bloody marvellous a bassist Mike Howlett is?) They certainly elevated Sentients rhythm section to new heady heights (not that the previous Subs/Horn combination wasn't right up there too). Last night we were spoilt, what a performance!

I don't think my descriptions ever do performances real justice, though I can honestly say, I was fair blown away this evening, smiling slack jawed at the wonder of it all. When magic's created it's undeniable, and magic certainly filled the back room of the 'Arthur' last night, and, the audience loved it. Everybody was blissed out, man. One by one they took to the dance floor to swivel, frug and throw shapes, while the end of each track was met with rapturous applause. There were also a couple of notable musicians in the audience last night. Gregory Curvey of The Luck of Eden Hall whose latest album 'The acceleration of time' is a great listen. And, Cary Grace who'll be performing at the King Arthur in September and is well worth catching live. The 'Arthur' was a delight as usual, what a top venue with lovely staff and friendly regulars, and the sound, again, top notch...bravo sound guy. If there was a recording of last nights gig, I'd love to see that available, nudge nudge, wink wink. 

All in all a splendid evening, although I do have one complaint, not about the venue nor the band. But people. Where the fuck were you? Yeah, there was a good turn out, and yeah, we all thoroughly enjoyed it, but the 'Arthur' should have been overflowing, the calibre of musician and quality of music on offer. For a fiver too! My fear is we either 'support them or lose them', and our lives would be diminished by the latter. Whether it's lack of publicity or apathy, it's not good enough. We need innovative and original bands and the local venues for them to perform.  Where ever you are, if you get the chance, support them.

Sentient @ The King Athur Glastonbury

This evening I boarded the interstellar space schooner Sentient for a journey through the audio multiverse. The crew were: Steffe Sharpstrings (whose strings were indeed as sharp as ever) who wove wonderfully organic and fluid threads through the magical synth landscapes created by master knob twiddler Mr Joie Hinton, stonking basslines were provided by Subs, which were complemented beautifully by Tanyas excellent drumming, both drove Sentient forward and kept our course true.

Our musical journey was to be in two parts. On the first leg (about an hour) the band delighted the audience with a series of wonderfully rich musical landscapes travelled through with magical grace. Some tracks were transcendental as Steffes exquisite noodling and sublime glissando (using technical vernacular I'd certainly describe it as shit hot) and Joies tweeking and masterful Synthesis took hold of your senses and sent them soaring. Whilst other tracks got the audience energetically moving, with Tanya drumming some shamanic beats which woke your primal dancer and Subs' deep rich bass really driving the whole groove home and people really love it. Mix into all of that some elements of jazz and funk and it went something like that. The second leg was a mighty 45 minute jam, not your regular jam, no sir, this was a top shelf special reserve conserve of improvisational genius. It would be hard to adequately describe the music we were gifted and I couldn't do it justice anyway; so I'm just going to say it was MENTAL. The musicianship of all involved was first class and was complemented nicely by a groovy light show provided by DMTV. What a fine evening, Sentient are going from strength to strength and long may it continue, I can't wait to see them again. Too gushy a review you say? Well, you weren't there, they were bloody marvellous! All that said, I was bemused as to why the venue wasn't overflowing, what's wrong with folk? If you see Sentient are playing near you, get out and see them, you wont be disappointed.

I should say a little something about the King Arthur in Glastonbury. Upon entering the King Arthur I was welcomed by Brun who was sat at the bar energetically expressing himself through both word and gesture (I imagined him to be their concierge, unofficial I'm sure, although he did greet warmly all who entered). Brun introduced folk to me and showed me where everything was; later he could be seen dancing erratically or sat on the edge of the stage throwing the occasional shape or random arm gesture.  A nice fellow. There's a fine vibe about the place, all the staff were lovely and a really friendly atmosphere. The performance area is at the back, it isn't big, though neither is it too small. Overall the King Arthur is a great pub/venue of the type much needed in our increasingly corporatized venue/music landscape. And they put on bands like Sentient, so, all hail the King.