These are from 2007
In The Nursery: The Seashell and the Clergyman
As some regular readers might know, I’ve been a fan of In The Nursery for quite some time. I’m not sure when I first saw them perform, but it was most likely sometime in the Eighties, upstairs in the Hallamshire or perhaps in Bar One at Sheffield University, and they have been working, recording and performing in Sheffield ever since. Their sound has progressed and developed since then, and one more recent strand to their work is, of course, film soundtracks. For their latest project they have chosen to compose music for The Seashell and The Clergyman, which is widely regarded as the first ever surrealist film. It was made by Germaime Dulac in 1928, and ITN providing a new soundtrack will also deliver an opportunity to see this rarely screened classic on the big screen. It’s a sad reflection on modern cinema that innovative films like this now have a limited audience. On its release, it caused a small riot, and the critical response has ranged from the misinformed to the rapturous ever since. Klive and Nigel’s soundtrack forms a powerful backdrop to the visuals of the film. They have used some experimental recording techniques, including placing Electret microphones inside, what else, but, a pair of seashells, as they sculpt and weave a sonic backdrop to the film. It is one of the most compelling soundtracks I’ve heard from them, and makes me look forward even more to seeing a performance alongside the film
The Seamonsters
Naomi Mann – lead vocals
Lauren Smith – bass
Holly Thompson – lead guitar
Tassie Drobinski – rhythm guitar
Ella Taylor – keyboards
Ciara Hurding – drums
If was ever forced to pick a ‘favourite type’ of band to see live, I’d not have to look much further than The Seamonsters. For me they tick all the boxes as they’re an all girl group, and they all come from Sheffield. They’ve got the job.They’ve been playing since 2013, after some of them met at a drama group, and were asked to play Seamonsters. They took the instructions perhaps a little too seriously, wrote some songs, and here they are, six years later, playing the Leadmill stage. Their glittery, jangly guitar based sound reminds me of Altered Images, along with the much missed Sheffield band, Slow Down Tallahassee. And if youve been paying a modicum of attention, you might just have seen that they won the Best Unsigned Band award at the recent Exposed Awards night, so they must be doing something right. I was keen to see them, and was mightily impressed. Naomi Mann on lead vocals is a compelling presence on stage, but all six contribute in their own ways. Some punters may have come into the tent for shelter, but everyone was totally into them by the end of their set. They finished on a high, with their latest single and are on their way for even more success I’m convinced.
Mark Perkins' online blog 