Mutual Benefit first came to my notice when I heard single Advanced Falconry on the radio early this year. It was one of those down-your-tools, headphones moments – it stopped me in my tracks and commanded my attention. It also got me on to listening to their LP of last year, Love’s Crushing Diamond, which is a real beauty, ideal for rainy afternoons, or post-break-up lovelorn lamentation.
And then there was the chance to see all this beauty and feeling played out live at the Union Chapel. It was my first visit to the much-loved north London venue, which providing a suitably stunning setting. If you’ve never paid a visit to Union Chapel, do yourself a favour and book something soon. The fully operational church makes the most of its manifold assets, all stained glass and dark-wood panelling, by hosting many live music acts, and it is a real treat. You can even get a nice cup of tea in a proper mug to enjoy during the performance (and I did – times have changed).
Mutual Benefit has been described as both a one-man band, and sprawling collective. It’s mostly the work of the transient American Jordan Lee, the only permanent member of the band, but he’s joined by contributing and changing regulars, which on Friday night included three other band members, on guitar, violin and percussion.
They played largely from Love’s Crushing Diamond, the lush songs of love and loss resonating around the cavernous church hall. It was all intensely felt and very moving. They’re sentimental songs, but beautifully done, with heartfelt emotion, harmonies and the occasional bit of electronica, all rolled into one. It’s music to fall in love to, and there were certainly a lot of loved-up couples in crowd looking to capitalise on the cuddly mood.
Songs moved seamlessly between each other, a tinkling of chimes and subtle percussion leading from one to the other, a gentle merging of intricate, delicate music, blurring boundaries inducing an almost trance-like state, at times, comfortably overwhelming.
It’s all sweetness and light with a bit of water-based imagery, and it was easy to be swept along the currents of beautiful instrumentation, the plaintive, wistful sounding violin echoing lyrics about travelling, transience and tormented love.
The band’s shadows playing long and large against the church walls added to the ceremonial feel with an almost reverential respect from the audience. In fact, a mention should go to whoever did the lighting because it really did add something special.
They performed an encore to a standing ovation, Lee swigging from a bottle of wine and commenting that this was their second London gig – both in churches. But I can’t imagine a better venue. It is the sort of music to sit down, quietly, and just listen and appreciate. At times, it was so quiet, everyone hanging on every note.
The only thing missing was perhaps the female vocals that the LP boasts, but that’s a small criticism for a night of lovely, lovely music that got my long weekend off to a great start.
by Patricia Turk
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