“A combination of melodic harmonies, strong guitar rhythms and poetic lyrics lead the listener on an atmospheric and emotional journey.” “A breezy grower that pops along in acoustic simplicity.” “More than a touch ahead of what your rough and ready Indie types can do.” “Salon Society make music of truthful honesty.” 01 March 2009 “It’s a Sunday afternoon and the Apple Store has a steady flow of customers browsing its shelves. For the first time the store has decided to offer a platform for acoustic acts to grace the ears of the local shoppers. Salon Society are a band playing the first event today and they appear to have caught the attention of both staff and shoppers. A small group gathers to listen to the bands interplay of clever harmonies and gentle rhythms in combination with their renowned catchy melodies. Guitar player Dorothee manages to promote the Apple products in between songs raising a smile all round. The understated theatrical performers enhance the atmosphere in store from that of a lazy afternoon browse for shopping to a quietly exciting venue for up-coming artists to stimulate the customers at what is becoming a popular event." 31 August 2008 Live coverage of Hydro Connect Festival Inveraray The Sunday Herald is reporting live from the Hydro Connect festival being held in the grounds of Inveraray Castle. Full reviews of the bands and blogs by our correspondents Edd McCracken, Alan Morrison, Paul Dalgarno and Jamie Lafferty SALON SOCIETY @ SPEAKEASY CAFE For Salon Society, winning the Sunday Herald competition to play at Hydro Connect was relatively easy. Getting the band together and travelling back from Germany at a week's notice? No problem. It was all going smoothly for the Glasgow band until they tried to make the final 500m journey from the festival gates to play at the Speakeasy Café. "That was a nightmare," says lead singer Roxanne Claxton. "The guard at the gate said our passes weren't valid and wouldn't let us in." Cue their best pleading voices and anxious phone calls. But the trio of Claxton, Dortothee Weber, and Luci Jones made their date with an expectant crowd with moments to spare. And now they've caught their breath, they're quite taken with their rather louche surroundings. The Speakeasy Café, sponsored by the Sunday Herald, is, according to one of its organisers, pioneering the look of "junk shop chic". Kitch lamps sit atop mismatched tables, while vivid paintings by a local artist hang alongside multi-coloured throws on the walls. "This place feels great," says Claxton, "and fits in with what we're doing. We're called Salon Society after the 19th century Parisian culture where artisans would be taken in to perform. So the vibe here really suits us." Among the artful clutter, gaggles of people sit curled up on sofas, Glasvegas are reading the papers, with the smell of coffee and homemade banoffee pie wafting from the small stall in the corner. It's certainly the most welcoming junk shop in Argyll, and one full of the eager sounds of some of the best new bands in Scotland. Like the best curio shop it is full of gems waiting to be uncovered. Later in the day, after the strains of Salon Society's acoustic set have faded, author Allan Bisset will read extracts from his work. The bohemian mix of art forms thicken as the night wears on. Comedians Phil Kay and Phil Nichol are likely to pack out the tent as many seek refuge from a hard days festival going. And on Sunday it will start all over again with the likes of hotly tipped Frightened Rabbit competing with freshly baked brownies for people's attention. Best get there early. |