Ryan Jarman Divulges Solo Intent
Ryan Jarman, head of Britain’s favourite band of Yorkshireman brothers, The Cribs, yesterday announced via Twitter that he is set to perform a solo show this Saturday at the Cameo Gallery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Significantly, this will be the first time that the front man will have taken to the stage on his own.
Somewhat surreptitiously, Ryan’s tweet was shortly followed by another which simply stated “I’ll be playing new songs and old…” (complete with ellipsis for added mystery, just because girls like it… apparently).
It’s easy to imagine which songs from The Cribs’ extensive back catalogue would suitably comprise a decent solo set. Offerings such as ‘Shoot the Poets’ from Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever and ‘Haunted’ from The New Fellas immediately spring to mind as songs that would befit a typical acoustic session. But is the man who was once hospitalised twice in one night after jumping off a stage and rolling over a table of glasses really that easy to predict?
Theoretically, any of their songs could be transformed to suit Ryan’s unaccompanied exhibition. The real interest comes from his hinting at something new. I won’t discuss all the possible connotations waiting to burst forth from that tiny, exciting package of a word, but needless to say, the music world will take notice of whatever he chooses to deliver.
The Cribs have been a staple presence in the British music scene since the release of their first album in 2004, or arguably, since they started working the concert circuit in 2002. With the exception of Jonny Marr’s contribution through 2008-2011 and Dave Jones of Nine Black Alps playing second guitar at live shows since Marr’s departure, the two twins and their younger brother have stuck together, so this departure from the status quo strikes as intrinsically titillating.
By Greg Cohen
