Imelda May and Tom Allalone and the 78s

It's been a bit so I will give you 2 for 1.

It's an understatement to say that I am well excited about the fact that these two acts are coming out of the UK at about the same time. Could this be a movement? A trend? Eh, probably not, but I will enjoy them while I can.


Imelda May is Dubliner with sass and pipes, as well as a striking look and a fabulously rich musical vision. The look and all that still take a back seat to the songs, and that's probably why she's been lauded so much in Ireland and the UK, and why she was hand-picked by Jools Holland to appear on his show. That was her first major TV exposure and she hasn't stopped since. I'll be seeing her next week, and will report back but if the video is any indication, I'll be pretty happy. Anyone who's bio includes the following quote is a-ok in my book: "My brother was a mad Elvis fan, and I found a tape in his room with Elvis, Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent. I thought the music was fantastic."



On the masculine flipside is Kent's Tom Allalone and the 78s. Some day I hope someone describes me as follows: "Allalone is equal parts teen idol, rebel and vaudevillian in performance; Eddie Cochran and Joe Strummer rub shoulders with Buster Keaton to create an embodiment of the lovelorn childish bravado." Until then, I can bask in TA&78s glow.



They actually toured with Imelda May recently and I first cam across them as they were originally slated to pay SXSW earlier this year. Their songs vary a bit more stylistically than Miss May's, mainly in that they veer into Elvis Costello radio pop territory or even jazz croon, but still carry the same rockabilly punch and run attitude. They too are dapper dressers as well, which is just another bit of icing.