KAN - Gig Photos

Jen McGlone from Glow Arts  gave me a shout the other day, just after the independence march in Edinburgh and asked if I'd like to go and take some gig photos of KAN at the CCA. What's the budget I asked? Turns out there was one, so I happily agreed. It's been a good while since I have been asked to go and take photos at a gig and I suspect this is because so many other photographers do it for a ticket, a beer and a bit of craic. Ranting aside, it's good to see people will actually pay for photos these days, it's up to you as to whether or not the quality stands up but I'm confident / deluded enough to think that it does?So aye; KAN. Well I had not seen them before and man was I impressed.I've always been a fan of Aidan he is ballsy, inventive and full of a gallus attitude that gives him a strong and definite stage presence. It must be said the man is hard to take photos of because he is rarely standing still. He puts his whole body into that bow stroke and what a sound it makes. It's nae wonder he's doing so well at the music, not only does he play with a unique and distinct tone he is also a great show man. What can I say about Brian Finnegan that's not been said before, he's not a man I know well personally but his playing with Flook formed a mainstay of my adolescent listening. Like Aidan he is a massively inventive musician, confident, imaginative and expressive. Technically I think there are few that can touch him, especially on the whistles and many of his tunes have already transcended into that legendary folk status known as TRAD. Quite simply the man is a stalwart of celtic music.Together Brain and Aidan create a melody section that is so thoroughly connected, musically and emotionally. The pair of them paint pictures; colourful, rich landscapes that convey feeling, place and personality. Self expression is always prevalent but yet in unison, they create a unified and artful sound that is lush, powerful and exquisite.What really sets KAN apart as a truly modern and cutting edge band, is it's rhythm section. Both from Yorkshire Jim Goodwin (Drums) and  Ian Stephenson (Guitar / Bass) give the band such a solid back bone, tight, rhythmical and more importantly in this case tonal. I was so impressed with Jim's ability on the drums, not only could he play a mean breakbeat but also tease tone out of the drums and cymbals that interacted seamlessly with the bass, the chords and the melody. There are very few things in the world that can lend true weight and power to a band than a well drilled drummer with an ear for music. In fact quite a few of the pieces were written by Jim and I for one take my hat off to the man.Ian's Guitar playing on it's own is beautiful, clever and perfectly in step with the rest of the band. He fills the classic role of guitar player so well, connecting the melody to the drums and bass. This in itself is a remarkable skill but when you consider he is also playing the bass, with from what I can gather using a clever octaving system. Now I'm a true bass fan, I mean it's all I did for about 10 years of my life and Ian's ability to play chords, harmony and Bass all at the same time was quite frankly, mind blowing.So aye, conclusion is that KAN are superb, I'm not even sure the sound they create could be classed as folk music. It is cinematic, innovative and fresh. I'm not even sure what you would class it as; other than totally superb.Go and see them!http://www.kan-music.co.uk/And also support Glow Arts, they are putting on some great gigs.http://www.glowarts.co.uk/