This Is Guernsey

By Emily Burden

Singer Nessi Gomes held it all together with her smooth vocals. (0569452)

FUNK da Rock is now becoming a well-established event in Guernsey’s music calendar.

‘The atmosphere was brilliant because it was really quite an intimate gig,’ said organiser Sam Evans, of last Saturday’s.

‘I think the choice of line-up worked perfectly and I was really pleased with it. We are able to have a completely different line-up each month, so you have to give credit to the local musicians.’

The night saw Jamie-Lee, Sugar Cube and DJs Mr Flab, Vinyl Matt and the T.S Collective, all helping raise money for the Mines Awareness Trust.

Jamie-Lee has to be noted for being a strong talent. Although I missed his set earlier in the night, I have seen him play before. He has a unique, hybrid picking-style of guitar playing, which he beats like a drum at the same time. It’s a method that never fails to captivate and impress audiences in the island. Popular artists who use this technique include John Butler, but I doubt Jamie-Lee bases his influences on him. Instead I’m sure it is safe to say that he himself is the influence.

Sugar Cube took to the stage next. At first I wasn’t sure what to make of it all.

All members are notable musicians, one being Richard Sherwell, who has proved over the years to be one who can lend his talents to any genre. The singer, Nessi Gomes, had a calm, smooth voice. It made a nice change to see a female singing – there seems to be an absence of them in the local music scene. At times the band reminded me of Morcheeba. It featured a unique combination of guitars and beats from a laptop.

An example of one of its diverse songs was a drum and bass beat with an acoustic layer on top, though at certain points I felt the sounds were a bit disparate, as they had so many samples and instruments meshing together. It was Nessi’s vocals which seemed to be holding it all. The sound it was achieving probably would be incredible when studio recorded and it is doing something no other band is – it’s one which has the ability to improvise, using many genres in one set.

Next was a turn for TS Collective, filling the room with breaks, beats and basslines. The three local lads have an array of dirty records, which always seem to get the crowd dancing.

‘All the acts did FDR proud this month,’ said Sam.

‘It should be a place for musical diversity and variety and it’s great that it still establishes itself like that – we can’t see that ethos ending either.

‘I have to note the team as well: Kevin Taylor is our latest recruit as sound engineer and I am very grateful to him along with the doormen and The Fermain Tavern for helping Funk da Rock. Without the help of these guys, FDR would not function as well as it does. We raised just over £400 for MAT.’