Julian Plenti's stripey jumper looks like something his nan knitted last Christmas.
His fresh face and boyish good looks are drawing wolf whistles every couple
of minutes. He glances up at the balcony before shooting his gaze across the
room and announces, quite seriously, "I'd like to dedicate this next song to
my mum."
One song later a male member of the audience has managed to work his way
onstage and plant a kiss on his right cheek. "That's my man," he deadpans as
his guitarist leans over and plants a cheeky one as well. Shortly
afterwards, he sings the first chorus to the classic carol Let It Snow.
Is Plenti really the same Paul Banks of Interpol we've come
to know? In body yes of course, but in person seemingly not this evening. No
icy stares, dry scowls, Armani suits, dark atmospherics; just a bagful on
tunes and smiles along the way. It actually suits him.
Backed by a full supporting band including a cellist, Plenti is a rare
opportunity for Banks to return to his pre Interpol days as a
singer-songwriter. Whilst Is...
Skyscraper is a fairly underwhelming listen until it's spun a good few spins, it
has some real gems which hit the spot tonight. The lounge ballad Madrid Song
drifts across the Scala in a moment of perfect serenity. Girl On the
Sporting News bluesy bar room feel weaves under Banks' gentle baritone
whispers.
A blinding beam of white light goes off as a surprising rendition of
Pixies' Into The White gets aired for one of the evening's heavier
moments. The interchanging jams between cello, piano and guitar which fade
in and out of the On The Esplanade and Skyscraper add a folk dimension to
the gig. It also makes you wonder why Interpol don't use more of this in
their own repertoire, which at the worst of times gets a little formulaic.
One suspects a few of the band wouldn't be caught dead playing these songs. Or dressing down.
The Interpol album currently in the works may confine Julian Plenti to
the status of a pet project for now, but if solo projects by front men of
successful bands is sign language for these were my ideas and they're
better or that old chestnut musical differences, Julian Plenti
could indeed map how rosy life after Interpol could shape up for Paul Banks,
with a smile or two for good measure.
ALBUM:
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