FIFTY3FRIDAYS: ISQ – THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING, LIVE!
A change of format this week as we herald The Silence Is Deafening, the new album by current Fifty3Fridays favourite, ISQ. You may already recognise the name as the band led by Irene Serra has featured twice in these columns in recent months. To refresh, ISQ is the project of notable jazz-pop vocalist Irene Serra, supported by a trio of outstanding musicians; guitarist Luca Boscagin, bassist Richard Sadler and drummer/electronics meister Chris Nickolls. I was fortunate to attend ISQ’s album launch last week and hear the songs in the intimate space of The Crazy Coqs in the heart of London’s West End.
The Crazy Coqs is styled on a 1930s Parisian cabaret club, located in the basement of Brasserie Zédel, a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus tube. The restaurant boasts a huge, stunning dining room with an authentic Art Deco interior. Well worth a visit on its own for the prix fixe menu.
All photos of ISQ by Kevin England
Back in the cabaret space, the stage seemed hardly big enough to fit ISQ, the four-piece being accompanied by two backing vocalists, Ineza and Joy Ellis, both recording artists in their own right to complete a high grade line-up. Set cabaret-style with every table taken, the compact room was similarly occupied and with no elevated position, it was impossible to get a clean photo of the full band without them being partly obscured by the audience. The hum of expectation was silenced as guitarist Luca finger-picked the warm, welcoming opening to “On Shoulders Of Giants”, the first track on the new record.
Irene’s soft, graceful vocal in this song took us from the Italian Alps, with the sense of perspective the mountains offer, through to gratitude for the achievements of those who have gone before and hope in the positive aspects of human connection. It was sung and played just as intricately as on the record with a particularly lovely guitar solo and a touch of scat singing from Irene adding a spaciousness. Bass, drums and backing vocals equally played their part in a stunning opener.
Bass and guitar next conjured a different mood laying down a funky groove aided by drums, much of which was played on rims, in "Faded", a song co-written by Irene and bassist Richard. Here Irene’s voice added a soulful, reflective flavour as she examined the signposts in a controlling relationship which bring you to realisation and a sad resentment at gaining such clarity. A chilled middle section of the song added to the spacious feeling which became a feature of the evening.
Further variation in delivery came in the next two songs, “No Time at All” and “Kindred Spirit”, tracks 3 and 4 on the album; the former presenting country music textures, giving the song a homely feel. Inspired by time spent with family as Irene contemplated the value and finite nature of time, it was sung in an easy-going drawl until its abrupt ending echoed the fact that time naturally will run out. A lyrical guitar solo was a particular highlight too. Built on a descending melody line, “Kindred Spirit” referenced Irene’s mother's transit from Sicily to Denmark in the early 80s and more broadly the refugee/migrant situation today. An instrumental storm gained momentum towards the end led by inspired drumming.
The set now took a break from the new album with three songs from earlier LPs: “Pictures On My Mind” and “This Bird Has Flown” from ISQ’s 2012 self-titled debut and “Zion” from the aptly named follow up, Too. The first of these, co-written by Irene with drummer Chris, featured another bold instrumental passage; almost a meeting of jazz with prog rock. A jazz bass solo opened the moody second with scat vocals and a staggering guitar solo thrown in. The final one of the three, a heartfelt ode to a loved one, was deftly served more as a torch song.
The last four tracks from the new album then followed. “Animal” comes across as a companion song to “Kindred Spirit”, exploring family relationships, in this case between mother and daughter, from Irene’s perspective. Featuring a soft, jazz-infused vocal from Irene, cool backing harmonies and an unexpected filigree guitar solo, the song’s spacious, considered vibe came across superbly live. The mini synth which Irene used on selected songs tonight added a warm glow.
Throughout the evening, Irene took time to introduce the songs, giving some perspective and adding to the sense that tonight band and audience were all one family. She coyly let it be known that some of the inspiration for “Lady Death” came from a book on the female orgasm! The song explores male and female perspectives. Rocky with bluesy tones, a touch of funk and even a Dave Gilmour-style guitar solo, it offered a different, darker taste. Inspired by the ‘Ask for Angela’ safeguarding campaign, “Angela” struck a more sombre note. The song’s pretty, country-tinged melody contrasted with the sadness of its theme, yet that seemed to make it even more touching.
The last song on the album, “She Walks Through Fire”, acts as a kind of summary of the themes running through the record. Live, it provided a meditative ending, placing feminine wisdom, resilience and care for the earth at the centre of ISQ’s discourse. Through her songwriting, Irene challenges how society considers older women, seeking greater respect for female voices and wisdom. It was a comparatively quiet end to the set, the whole of which though was enthusiastically lauded by the audience and an encore, “Look For Rainbows”, duly followed. Sadly, like time, South Western Trains wait for no man and we had to leave as the requested song began. I exited with the feeling that we had witnessed something really special and thoroughly commend The Silence Is Deafening.
I have written previously that it is always tempting as a writer to refer to other musicians when commenting on a different artist’s work. Sometimes it can give the reader some kind of yardstick in a review like this. However, I think that ISQ has developed a cultured niche for its music that defies easy labelling. I thought it would be interesting to ask Irene to take a retrospective look at influences that come to mind now that the new album is out. Here’s her response:
“I always find it tricky to pinpoint my influences, because there are so many — and they're certainly not all musical. But the artists I love inevitably find their way into what I do, sometimes consciously and sometimes in ways I only recognise afterwards.
I don't tend to think stylistically when I write. I follow the song and then realise, "Oh, this one's leaning towards folk," or "This one's a little jazzier or funkier." I love allowing that to happen. My music collection goes from Bulgarian choral music to deep house, so that probably tells you something! If it's great music, it's great music.
Listening back to The Silence is Deafening, these are some of the artists and songs that come to mind. Some influenced the writing or production; others feel like musical relatives I've recognised along the way.”
On Shoulders of Giants
Fiona Bevan — "Dance Around It" and "Sweet Demons"
James Taylor — "Fire and Rain"
Faded
Groove Armada — "At the River"
Morcheeba — "The Sea"
No Time at All
Norma Winstone — "Celeste", composed by Ralph Towner with lyrics by Winstone
Kenny Wheeler — "Consolation", from Music for Large & Small Ensembles.
Kindred Spirit
"Canto de Ossanha" — the versions by Elis Regina and by Toquinho and Vinícius de Moraes
Animal
Yebba — "Where Do You Go"
Lady Death
Janis Joplin — "Summertime", particularly her live performances.
Angela
Tracy Chapman — "Behind the Wall", for its powerful treatment of domestic abuse through an unaccompanied voice.
Norah Jones — "Miriam", for its dark, folky atmosphere.
She Walks Through Fire
Björk — "Hyperballad", for her quirkiness and the wonderfully strange musical worlds she creates.
Hozier — "Eat Your Young", particularly the production.
I’ve collated these references for each track on this impressive new album and put them on a Playlist as a companion piece. You can view it below or access through my Spotify page.
You can hear The Silence Is Deafening by ISQ by on all the usual platforms HERE.
