La Tortilla Asesina, Inverness, 3 June 2007

Heart Shaped Box (photo - Fraser Welsh)

THE FIRST time I heard Heart Shaped Box was at the Ironworks in March of this year when they supported the Edinburgh-based fusion group, Salsa Celtica. Having enjoyed their set, I was bemused not to be able to find any information about them; Goggle searches only turned up pages with the Nirvana song of the same name.

Coming into contact with the band for a second time, however, the reason for this became clear. Heart Shaped Box had only formed in 2006 and had not set up a Myspace or been mentioned by the press at that stage.

But how had such a new, relatively unknown group managed to land a spot supporting the world famous Salsa Celtica?!

Doing a little digging, I was informed that singer, songwriter and guitarist with Heart Shaped Box, Terry Small, had apparently just turned up at the Ironworks one day and announced he would like to audition for a support slot.

Now, this isn’t the normal route to becoming a support act, but then it seems that Terry Small is no normal guy. With a musical career that already manages to span the production of influential dance recordings such as Detroit Techno, conducting large traditional ensembles with Feis Rois, and working as a tutor in Summer Rock Classes for young people in the Highlands, Terry certainly brings a wealth of experience and passion to Heart Shaped Box.

And, hearing them for a second time at another Spanish inspired setting, Inverness tapas restaurant, La Tortilla Asesina, you soon discover that Heart Shaped Box are no normal band.

The evening began with free wine and tapas, a different, social and delicious way to start a gig. (If only all concerts were like this I could perhaps forge a career as a food critic as well!)

Moving upstairs, the audience were then treated to the unique charm of Heart Shaped Box first hand. They played an extensive set of original songs which belie the band’s short time together. The songs, for the most part, seemed to fall into two categories.

Those crafted by lead female vocalist, Debbie Mackenzie, were simple, beautiful love songs, such as “Close To Perfect.” Those written by Terry Small, meanwhile, had a more experimental vibe, evoking the peace-loving sixties and edging into the prog-rock of the seventies, with the tambourines, chimes and poetic/political lyrics to match.

Heart Shaped Box’s vocal arrangements were skilfully harmonious and note perfect. Debbie has an exceptional voice and Terry proved to have an impressive range, sounding not unlike Matthew Bellamy from Muse at times. Helena Stewart and bassist Kevin Colclough added depth to the sound with competent supporting vocals.

And the band’s rapport with the audience was also a pleasure to watch. Terry Small fell naturally into the roll of a laid-back and light hearted front man. His series of John Peel-esq technical crises (such as dropping his guitar in a moment of embarrassment and exclaiming “Christ! Who let the drummer in?” when his keyboard produced an unexpected cymbal sound, simply endeared him further to the crowd.

Terry Small’s daughter, Freya Thomsen, was also in on the act. Along with her friend Gillian Fleetwood, Freya makes up the Celtic harp duo, The Duplets, who added delicate ripples and intricate melodies to several of Heart Shaped Box’s songs over the course of the evening.

Simply put, the gig was a success and a sell out. With such a talented and down to earth group of musicians you get the feeling that Heart Shaped Box could be on the cusp of bigger things. The band now plan to have a second gig at La Tortilla next month and, whatsmore, you can check their shiny new Myspace for details. Tapas, anyone?

© Susan Szymborski, 2007

Links

• Heart Shaped Box