Music

Two Spot Gobi album launch gigs in the West Country (interview)

03rd April 2009

Since their last West Country show, soulful and funky alternative pop outfit Two Spot Gobi have conquered an audience of 8,500 in San Francisco, opened stadium shows for US star Jason Mraz and performed for the stars at a high-profile Oscars after-show party in Los Angeles.

So it will be a rather bolder, more confident and buzzing band stepping out on stage to launch their debut album at a 120-seater Plymouth theatre this month.

Singer James Robinson, proud West Country frontman of the six-piece Brighton-born band, says: “Up until a couple of weeks ago, the San Francisco show was probably the biggest, grandest, most special musical moment for all of us; it was just crazy, a sea of people in front of us – but that was before Portugal...”

That involved 5,000-capacity sell-out shows in Lisbon and Porto – again opening for the delightful Jason Mraz – where the guys were overwhelmed by the rapturous crowd response.

“We were first on the bill, followed by this brilliant acoustic singer songwriter Marit Larsen. But the crowd went so bananas for us that the atmosphere was a bit lost afterwards, so they swapped us to second on for the next show,” says James.

Jason Mraz, from the beautiful Californian city of San Diego, spotted Two Spot Gobi playing a gig in Plymouth when he came to the city as opening act for James Blunt at the Pavilions a couple of years ago.

The singer songwriter, whose latest album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. is a worldwide hit, has been supportive ever since, inviting the band on tour and helping them with US contacts.

“Jason is a phenomenal live performer. It’s funny that he was one of the first artists to influence me when I was first really getting into performing and finding my voice at 17 or 18,” says James.

“Now it is pretty surreal being on tour with him, seeing him backstage, singing a song with him.”

James describes Two Spot Gobi as “brimming with confidence” as they embark on some high profile UK supports with Jason ahead of the albums launch and their own handful of headline dates.

He’s personally relishing the thought of a very different, intimate homecoming gig at the Barbican Theatre to showcase a recording that represents the story so far.

“It’s going to be very special,” reveals James. “People down here are used to us just going wild, but this is going to be a mix of mellow and upbeat, with our friend Dave Webb, one of the greatest tenors in the country, as a guest singer.”

The album, Everywhere You Should Have Been, boasts 12 tracks honed over the band’s three and a half years together and recorded in London with producer Jonny Male (former Republica guitarist). It’s packed with numbers that are familiar from their live set, including cool, summery single Sunshine Lady.

The unique Two Spot sound took form when James (also in charge of the band’s artwork and graphics) teamed up with classical cellist Rob Lewis (a godsend in the band management role), rock funk guitarist Dino Randhawa and percussion maestro Ben Matthews at university in Brighton.

After a couple of line-up changes, they recruited jazz graduate Matt Ellis on trumpet and most recently bassist Matt Harris, fresh from the ranks of Columbia signings The Stiff Dylans.

The noise they make is a fresh and funky, moody and melodic musical melee that is proving its appeal with audiences across the board. Another album is already on the cards, with recording sessions to be booked in San Diego.

Meanwhile, Two Spot Gobi also play the Tigga Bar, Exeter on April 24 and The Hippo, Plymouth on April 25 and will make their mark at a number of West Country summer festivals including the Goldcoast Oceanfest in North Devon on June 20 and Relentless Boardmasters in Newquay on August 8.

Two Spot Gobi perform at the Barbican Theatre, Plymouth, on Saturday, April 11. Buy tickets, £9 or £7 (concessions), from the B-Bar on 01752 242021 or from www.ticketweb.co.uk (plus £2 booking fee).

JACKIE BUTLER

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