Mothlite – Corsica Studios, London, 15/08/08

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A buzz reverberates around the room. Tucked away in an old underground railway alcove, hidden from the blinding lights and pounding bass lines of Ministry, an unlikely looking bunch take to the stage. For a band that has been performing live for just over a month now, Mothlite have attracted quite a crowd this evening.

There is something quintessentially English about front man Daniel O’ Sullivan tonight, perhaps it is because he is dressed in a suit reminiscent of that flat cap and Whippet that he seems to love so. But actually, when I think about it there is something quintessentially English about Mothlite: English like Lewis Carroll or Pink Floyd.

Mothlite have come equipped with a whole host of instruments from the standard drums, keyboard and bass to a bassoon, a flute and a gong, not to mention the fact that half of the stage is dedicated to the electronically talented Antti Uusimaki. O’Sullivan and Uusimaki are the driving creative force behind Mothlite, and with a story of inspiration that entails the plight of the moth during the Industrial Revolution I’m not really sure what to expect in the next hour.

The symbols shimmer as the band launch into the first track from their debut album The Flax of Reverie, ‘Riverside.’ Gently, the interweaving of the guitar and drums builds in layers around the core melody from O’Sullivan’s mock ivory keys. The song becomes mesmerising, as the haunting melody helps to create a rather sinister atmosphere whilst a drone-like chant can be heard in the background “The shadow on the riverside/The shadow on the riverside.”

As they move through their set, O’Sullivan’s deep, echoing vocals quiver and shake as Uusimaki generates strange squeaks and crackles. This beautifully disjointed aesthetic transforms into a looming and impending instrumental, with a heavier metal edge that is dark and threatening. And then suddenly we are in the eye of the storm with simpler rhythms, as an ambient hum of psychedelia resonates around the captivated audience. The dream like soundscape is simply hypnotic.

I can see now why the room is so packed tonight; the incredible energy of Mothlite is hinted at on record but lost to the cleanliness of production whereas here, in a live setting, there is nothing holding them back, every crackle, every croak and every tremor can be heard.

Mothlite on MySpace