And So I Watch You From Afar

Poster design:
Errol Tan of KittyWu Records.

It was only in 2011 that I took notice of Belfast pop-post-rock band And So I Watch You From Afar (ASIWYFA), when their first album 'Gangs' appeared on my playlists.

Thought I was imagining things when bits of Irish jig meters and rhythms popped up in the rock elements. Quite awesome. They're not as metal prog-rock heavy in that sense. Rather melodic. Lots of ever-changing time signatures between their songs.

The band was just so into the moment, into the music, and they were so good together live on stage. Had to wear ear plugs of course. One hour flew by too fast. Great sound. Loved the show. Exhilarating. Absolutely marvelous to catch up with loads of friends too. A shared love for a certain genre of music.

Grabbed a copy of their setlist. The way they abbreviated the songs is hilarious. Floored for about five seconds by 'BUMCHAMP' and 'SPA'. Then realized they respectively meant 'Beautiful Universe Master Champion', 'Search Party Animal'. I love love love 'Set Guitars to Kill'. Here's a vimeo of the song that won 'Best Live Video' at the Irish Music Awards 2009. How rad is it to also have opened for Them Crooked Vultures in a 2010 gig.

But what's the fascination with coconut water, dear lads? That nice? Really? Hehehe. Have an awesome rest-of-the-tour to Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Manila (where they're opening for Caspian!!!), Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and to Europe. They didn't play this song tonight, but I like it much- the super cheerful 'All Hail Bright Futures'. Aiiight!

February 2014 at Zouk, Singapore.