Ox and Kingsway
Last night I went to see a slew of great talent at the Media Club. Stumbling upon Kingsway a folk/ rock community project headed by talent RC Joseph, The Grange a rodeo rockabilly troupe and Ox a soulful folk-rock filled with charm and meaning headed by guitar-vocalist Mark Browning.
This was honestly one of the better shows that I have seen in quite sometime. Ox suctions on you so quickly it’s like bobbing in quicksand- accept this is enjoyable quicksand.
The group had so many grains, being only made up of four. Vocals so tightly bound, the harmonies should have been Siamese. The drums were catchy with such a full live large room sound. Keeping every- intensity and dynamic even more responsive, matching the bass that added body and sway. Then there were keys on particular songs that really sung with the two others. The Co- singer (if I am to call him this) would switch between singing + guitar, or singing + keys. While Mark, with such lure, pulled the whole thing together with his story like lyrics and bilingual guitar lines. He has such inventive solos and parts, it’s like the guitar is finally being used the way it should be. -Instead of just chords and solo’s Mark would piece together counter melodies, or variations on the chord progressions using leading tones to move the chords or link his parts to the melody. It was truly so natural and flawless. This group has such a tight stage presence and expert delivery. I can’t even imagine how they’ll sound by the end of the tour.
This was the set for his pre- release for the upcoming album American Lo-Fi which will be officially released on October 17th where Browning mentioned that they’ll be in Saskatchewan. The tour, this is the second one since the album has been mixed (the first was in the UK). It started last night in Vancouver and will move east right to Halifax where they’ll finish off at Halifax’s Stage 9 Lounge. I recommend that you check out Ox’s site for dates and cities because this is a show you won’t want to miss. It’s such a polished act for such a gritty rootsy sound…
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rediculously sik
