Here’s something special for you, dear reader. One of the finest acts in the UK today are husband-and-wife duo Ferris & Sylvester and we’re delighted to share an exclusive video recorded for AUK backstage, before their recent show at The Portland Arms in Cambridge. As a special request, the pair performed the song ‘Mother,’ from forthcoming album ‘Otherness’. On record, it’s rich with instrumentation textured in gorgeous layers. It’s fascinating to see it stripped back here to an acoustic piece, which is how many Ferris & Sylvester songs start out, of course.
Issy told AUK about the song ‘Mother,’: “We wrote ‘Mother,’ with Michael Rendall. Archie actually produced the record with Michael together. We did a writing session and these chords for the verses and the choruses started sort of coming together; the verses were these darker, minor chords and then it crescendoed into this really happy sounding chorus and it just sort of triggered something, a sort of child dreaming of a better life and wanting to start again and start over. So, it just came from there. We were like, what about this line ‘Mother, leave my father?’ How about this for the start of the song? Then it came really quickly and we recorded a demo the same day. The lead vocals never changed. That was just it, recorded down. It on a real journey to the final mix and master. But that first vocal and, I think, the structure all stayed the same from that first day. It doesn’t always happen like that, don’t get me wrong!”
Archie told AUK about the upcoming album release: “1st of March! The new album, ‘Otherness’, is coming out. ‘Mother,’ is on there. There are some other tracks that we’ve been releasing over the past few months: ‘End of the World’, ‘Headache’, which you guys premiered the video for the other day. Thank you very much for that. Plus, there’s lots more that you haven’t heard yet, maybe one or two that we’ll play tonight that we’ll give you a little sample of. Hope you like it! Come and see us live whenever you have the chance. We are still on tour, probably, by the time this goes out ’cause it’s quite a long tour and there’s every possibility we’re coming outside your doorstep, so come say, ‘Hi!'”
After this lovely rendition, a sell-out crowd enjoyed an excellent evening of entertainment. Archie Sylvester’s guitar work was sublime, particularly when he let loose with solos on the likes of ‘Better in Yellow’. Issy Ferris was outstanding throughout, with the highlight being ‘This is How My Voice Sounds’, which starts so delicately but then surges and soars by the end. When they sing together, as on fan-favourite ‘Flying Visit’, their vocals are truly spellbinding. The Portland Arms is a terrific venue and Ferris & Sylvester filled it with their sound and the quality of their performance. A special nod must also go to support act Jack Francis, who delivered an excellent show that was also notable for the quality of his vocals, as well as his good humour. Highlights of his set were the compelling ‘Lifeline’ and the more upbeat ‘Helena’. His final song, ‘Failure’, was about what it is like trying to make it in the music industry in the streaming-age – everyone involved in music ought to take note of the lyrics. Watch out for his forthcoming album ‘Early Retirement’.
Ferris & Sylvester’s first album, ‘Superhuman’, was a great success, reaching number 1 on the UK’s Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart and winning UK Album of the Year at the 2023 Americana Music Association UK Awards. After a number of well-received EPs and singles, it was a fabulous showcase of their songwriting gifts. ‘Otherness’ promises to be even better, delivering more ambitious sounds and expansive arrangements, crossing genres and taking their music to another level. Check out the new album on 1st March and, in the meantime, get a flavour of it with this exclusive backstage mini-gig. Thanks to Issy and Archie for taking the time to perform for us before the main show.
