Elaine Liddle: My band of 2009

[Photo: Luke Joyce]

In the first of a series of blog posts in which UtR writers pick their favourite bands and gigs of 2009, and tip acts to look out for in 2010, Elaine Liddle plumps for a band who we featured back in August

They might have been officially around since 2006 - but 2009 was the year I finally began to love Brother Louis Collective. Before January they were one of those names I'd heard in the general chatter, always assumed I'd quite enjoy, but then been distracted by something else before I remembered to investigate them. Then I saw them live and it all started to make sense – so I came back for more.

In case you didn't catch their UtR profile, BLC's music is folky but not too folky, sweet but not saccharine. Put simply, they write good songs about love and life.

A high point in the bunch of times I saw them perform this year was - bizarrely for an accomplished six-piece band - the stripped down version at the Strike the Colours album launch in Stereo. Having apparently stepped in at the last minute, and without half the band, they nevertheless pulled off an engaging and entertaining set.

Recent Brother Louis Collective blogging promises that their very first album will be out early next year (so I guess I'm not *too* late in catching up with them). Ten tracks recorded at Chem 19 with Paul Savage certainly mean there will be more to look forward to in 2010.

BLC - Barren Years


BLC - Squealing Pigs