Sound of Rum. Y’know, like what you order in a pub!

This week I had the experience of witnessing Sound of Rum at XOYO. It was my first time at XOYO, I quite liked it. The bars are covered in some kind of blow up casing. It reminded me of a boxing ring a little bit.

Anyway, I’d heard quite a lot about Sound of Rum. It’s really not my typical kind of music at all but they still inspired a post due to the fact that they are incredibly creative, interesting and good at what they do.

Sound of Rum are rapper and poet Kate Tempest, guitarist Archie Marsh and drummer Ferry Lawrenson. After forming in 2008 they have beeen gigging all over the UK and are now regulars on the festival circuit.  Their music is observational and poignant, it is delivered with sincerity and the lyrics are clever and are made to make you think.  The thing that grabbed me the most was how much this trio actually enjoy what they are doing. They are humble and greatful to be in the position that they are in and overall believe in what they are saying and doing. It screams authenticity.

At one point during the set Kate rapped acapella. In the packed room of Jamie Woon fans awaiting his arrival on stage, everyone just shut the fuck up and listened. The experience seemed a bit overwhelming for the young poet. Over the years there have been a lot of British hip-hop and rap artists who write about the mundanities of every day life but Kate’s lyrics were so close to the bone they could make some people feel uncomfortable. It’s observational writing at it’s best and delivered with an honesty and frankness that could never see it sugar coated.

Their second single (on Sunday Best) is to be released early 2011 with their debut album to follow.

Sound of Rum – Slow Slow (soundcloud stream)