Edwyn Collins launched his new record label AED with an exceptional live performance from label signings and Neon Filler favourites Rotifer at a party held at Notting Hill Arts Centre.
Analogue Enhanced Digital Records is the work of Collins along with James Endeacott, A&R supremo who found the Libertines when at Rough Trade and launched 1965 records- home to The View, but everyone’s allowed off days.
Rotifer
Throughout October the label release a single a week, the second being Rotifer’s Canvey Island, released October 10. Rotifer’s sixth album is also due out on the imprint later this year.
AED signings Broken hands and Wide Sea also made live appearances as well as Collins and Endeacott DJ sets, with extra showbiz pazzazz from cocktails mixed especially for the event- an Edwyn Collins, a New Morning Glory , and a not so appetizing sounding Rob Rot Roy.
Despite being a fairly small venue and being first band on, Rotifer quickly filled the performance area within seconds of taking the stage- everyone had been milling around the bar sampling the cocktails obviously.
The trio, completed by Ian Button on drums and Darren Hayman- yes, that Darren Hayman- on bass, didn’t need to work too hard as they were preaching to the converted, but that didn’t mean they were about to hold back.
Melodic 60’s tinged indie-pop is what was expected, and received, but Rotifer quickly dispelled any notions of twee as Hayman’s funky and somewhat erratic bass playing hugged the simple yet effective guitars.
The Cosmonaut Who Never Flew in particular was one of those songs where story-telling and melody combine in a gentle poppyness, while maintaining melancholic understatement.
Rotifer’s music is not exactly ground breaking, but when there are three musicians brought together by a love of indie-pop and melodies and oozing natural enthusiasm this barely matters.
Chummy band banter was scarce but this freed up time for an unplanned song between The Frankfurt Kitchen and set closer Canvey Island, gifting the audience an unexpected treat.
Rotifer produces gloriously simple indie which is timeless while acting as a compass to what AED hope to achieve. With help from other singings, Broken Hands, Wide Sea and Linden, and of course Collins’ and Endeacott’s contacts, it’s a label which is destined to generate a unique style and fan-base.
8.5/10
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