It’s niche, I grant you, but for some people somewhere (probably, in all honesty, Sheffield) the news that there is new music from folk/indie poppers Monkey Swallows the Universe, and a live date as well will be causing great excitement and gnashing of teeth and vexing of cattle and the like. Possibly.
To be fair, its not exactly new music, but Nat Johnson and her merry band are re-releasing Sheffield Shanty today, the II being Aye Aye rather than the number two, apparently. In its original form its this perfect sliver of folk indie that name checks various places around the city, as well as stealing a little bit from Paul Simons You can call me Al, and now it comes with added brass for no extra charge. Well, unless you pay for a download I guess. Which you should, obviously. Its accompanied by a video where Nat plays Chevy Chase and Kev plays Paul Simon. You know, right?
To accompany it, there’s news of a live performance where the band will play debut album The Bright Carvings in its entirety, to celebrate ten years since its release. Selling out at its original venue in Sheffield within a couple of hours its been moved to the bigger Queens Social Club on Easter Sunday, 27th March.
Digital-only single out Fri 26 Feb: “Sheffield Shanty II” b/w “Groucho”
Tickets for the gig at the Queens Social Club on 27 March are £10 in advance from harleylive.gigantic.com
