You know a band has that certain ‘something’ when they’re stopped from playing in the street because they are causing a traffic hazard. It was certainly true for country-rock band ahab (note the band’s use of lower case), whose attempts at busking in East London became such a hit they created gridlock.
“It was lots of fun, but we ended up being banned from busking by the police,” says 12-string guitarist and singer Callum Adamson, who, like the rest of the band, is jointly responsible for writing their infectious brand of alternative country. “They told us not to perform at markets as lots of people turned up and the crowds were blocking the streets. That didn’t do much for the coffers.”
Despite not having a studio album to their name, ahab’s career already has a touch of magic. They have, Callum admits, always had a knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Starting off as a two-piece, founders Callum and Dave Burn struck gold early, being invited to the spiritual home of country – Nashville after someone in the Tennessee city heard their self-released record. The duo recruited friends Seebs Llewellyn and Luke Price, whom they knew from the East London country scene, and played a residency at a Country Music Awards festival – playing two shows a day at Tootsies Orchid Lounge for a week. For a budding country band it was the equivalent of winning Euromillions.
“It was incredible,” says Callum. “That was where Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Ryan Adams started out.” Back in the UK they honed their distinctive sound – a blend of four-part harmonies and lively folk-flavoured melodies – and were spotted again – this time by the team behind Oxfordshire’s annual feast of folk, roots and country – Cropredy Festival. Their set in front of 15,000 people at the 2010 event was hailed as the highpoint of the festival.
“That was where we got our break,” says Callum, speaking from his mum’s home near Edinburgh, where he has stopped en route to an Inverness gig. “The guy behind the festival had seen a video of us busking in Brick Lane on You Tube. I’ll never forget it – nor the sight of Bob Harris standing five feet to the right smiling and dancing.
“Because of that, playing in Oxfordshire feels like a homecoming, and that’s why we’re so excited to come back.” The band, complete with drummer Steve Brookes, play the Jericho Tavern on Saturday in what is certain to be a lively night.
“We have been on tour ever since that Cropredy show,” he goes on. “And the style is the same – although the clothes have changed.”
So how would he define his style? “Country,” he says succinctly. “But we are not typical country – we are more alternative. And we play music which is made to be performed live, without anything to hide behind.
“Country, like folk, has been used as a dirty word in the music industry for far too long. But it’s just a branding issue. Folk, country, pop, alternative... we are everything.
“Music has been muddied by technology, but we are going back with strong melodies and good performances – it’s all about our instruments and voices.”
And, with no less than four songwriters in the band, there’s no shortage of talent – though, I suggest, it must present its own challenges. “Somebody has an idea and the rest help to shape it,” he says. “It does cause arguments though, especially as we live in each other’s pockets because we tour so much.
“But we are only here because we want to be and want to be the best.” And, he says, that has been their phsilosophy all along.
“We have always stood in front of people and played – that’s where we come from. We don’t rely on anything else. It gives us a great sense of security to know if all fails we’ can carry on playing. Not many bands can say that.”
It’s not only music that the lads have a reputation for; Callum admits to being quite the party animal.
“We try to be good but do have a reputation, but when we come off stage we are excited,” he says. “We say ‘lets do this and that’ and before we know it it’s 3am and we have a show to play the next night.” Inevitably comparisons have been made between ahab’s tight harmony, and laid-back rivals Mumford & Sons.
Callum has heard it all before and is not impressed.
“They are a good band but not as good as us,” he says. “And we haven’t even put our studio album out yet. We look forward to stepping into the ring with the Mumfords though and putting their mettle to the test. I am very happy to throw down the gauntlet.
“That kind of trendy folk will be short-lived; we will be the ones who survive. We’ve done this for years but are only now starting to get attention because we are a band who have always just wanted to play.
“None of us wants to be surrounded by gold and jets. “We are doing this for people who love music, not fashion.”
- ahab play the Jericho Tavern on Saturday October 20.
- Tickets: £8 in advance from seahorsepromotions.co.uk
- New album Live In London will be available on the night
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