ALL MENDICANT ALBUMS NOW AVAILABLE ON ITUNES
just search 'MENDICANT' in the itunes store!
NEW ALBUM 'NUMB' Now available...
NEW VIDEO EVERY FORNIGHT HERE - A STORY IN 13 PARTS FOR THE NUMB ALBUM
Previous album 'MUD' is a 'hokey pokey' feel good cafe bar type album with the brass and wind section giving it some honk and flutter.
Even more previously; The Story Album is a classic Mendicant style tale. Amongst narrative and raw blues and banjo splatters the intense artwork fold-out to illustrate the story of a stranger in a crossroad bar set in a twisted world of broken hearts, fighting, drinking, thinking and drug fueled conversations.
'M' being the first album wraps the traditional twist inside a very new way of songwriting. Still to be defined as a genre, look out for the white covers and hand printed ink, it might still be wet..
M ALBUM ITUNES STORE
MUD ALBUM ITUNES STORE
TOURS:
Octon Festival June 2008 (S.France)
The finalist tour from '3 (mobile) first cut awards 2007 'the next big thing in music'
tour with The Rumblestrips, Holloways and Fratellis
Pass That Whiskey with our own brand of Whiskey bottles with our 10 year single malt taste... mmm mmm! this is a live video.
if you know how to spot a live video - keep your eyes on the whiskey bottles on the table. do you see them going down? so next question is....... how many takes did we do?
Pass That Whiskey
Add to My Profile | More Videos
We were in the 'Critics Choice' of things to see last Christmas Season in TIME OUT - Click on this to have a better look:
time for the biog:
The fact that Mendicant stick exclusively to acoustic instruments draws initial comparisons to the likes of Tom Waits and Nick Drake,
a welcome branding that is dispelled almost as immediately as it is cast. A wider sphere of influence is clearly audible, with acts
such as Mogwai also present in the music.
Listeners have frequently commented that the bands eclectic mix of reference points has
developed into something coherent and new, which is what makes them so interesting. Its hardly surprising when you consider their
complete immersion in music and the arts. Anyone who's visited the labyrinth that is Antenna Studios is made instantly aware that
they live and breathe creativity. Indeed, its their livelihood, with Antenna operating to offer a home to professional designers,
musicians, artists, dancers and whatever other creative minds pop their heads in for a space in which to work (and possibly live).
The studios function a bit like a buzzing undercurrent of the arts set against Crystal Palaces gritty backdrop. But don't think
Pete Doherty and those other pricks harping on about a quasi-Bohemia sound tracked by a sleep-inducing commentary on drugs and how
life's so unfair. That would be off-putting! Consider these guys more as a bunch of people who have forged a respected career
from working with the cream of London's talent as well as that of further afield.
Ever since Barnaby first started rehearsing with Jakob, a neighbour he had spotted dragging a cello through the streets at the age
of eight (sixteen years ago now), they have held regular Sunday jam-come-rehearsal sessions which have consistently evoked strong
reactions from listeners. A few years later another neighbour Simone, classically trained in both violin and flute, was invited to
join them. She rapidly became a core member of the group adding a refined vocal talent to their collective efforts.
Now sits, leans and stands a band of angular proportions sneaking around the scene...
Soon the Mendicant musicians came to manifest their shared music outlook. A brutal honesty, energy coupled with sensitivity,
rhythmic assuredness and an effortless intimacy all permeate their sound and they maintain a spellbinding ability to connect with
their audience. At the same time they still keep themselves open to new inspiration inviting other musicians to join their folk,
blues and hip hop inflected offerings. This was when Mendicant became a breakaway sound. Its originality and fast-growing repertoire
(currently over 80 completed or in-development tracks) steadily built and developed what many have called a unique and 'unorthodox
style; an acoustic twist on urban music-of sorts!
Being first-and foremost an acoustic band amidst the glut of indie/rock 'identikit' bands around, Mendicant have enjoyed playing some
of the more interesting venues and events available; arts venues such as 'Area 10' and 'The 1000000mph' have played host whilst also
running a weekly residency for over a year at 'The Windmill' in Brixton. Other gigs have also included more popular venues such
as the Scala, The Jazz Cafe, Sound Bar, Leicester Square and the 291 Bar in Hackney. Local festival appearances such as
the Croydon Summer Festival '05 have also seen them on line-ups with the likes of Roy Ayres. Wherever they appear though, they never
fail to captivate, their sound increasingly appreciated in the current acoustic revival.
Mendicants home is Crystal Palace, Sarf London, and more specifically Antenna Studios, a recording studio come-arts centre (Jakobs
baby which is now a healthy 6 years old). If you're free on a Sunday why not join them there?
View Mendicant's EPK
