Even with a vague interest in the indie-Americana-rock scene, the elevation of Brown Horse has been noticeable. A distinct style has piqued interest in those wrapped up in the pioneers of alt-country where the tightness of a rock band coalesced around upfront keys and pedal steel bringing sweeping tunes and themes to the fore. On the back of favourable press and increased awareness, the six-piece outfit from Norwich have been ultra active. Numerous festival slots, tours covering large parts of the UK crossing over into the continent and a pair of full length studio albums lay out the activity. Appearances at Moseley Folk Festival and a previous gig at the Hare & Hounds have helped grow a Birmingham base, and the small room in the Kings Heath venue was packed as the band returned to the city to close the latest tour.
There is a lot to admire in how Brown Horse come across despite far from the finished article. The set up shines through shared songwriting, instrument swapping and musical interaction. You are witnessing a fully integrated band embedding a captivating sound, while finely crafting a positive impression. All was evident during a set packed with good vibes, yet a little light in time. Bands on the rise should be looking at upping their set up time offer from 55 minutes and when taking a support slot into account not falling short of an hour and half arbitrary benchmark for folks heading out for an evening’s live music.
The current guise of Brown Horse have only been active for a couple of years. They are trying to enact a mature style requiring a lot longer to come to fruition. Illuminated signs signal a prosperous future with all six band members engaged in deep thought how to cultivate a complete sound. Charisma exists in how the music infills a room, small ones at the moment with potential to grow.
A lot of pieces need to come together for Brown Horse to thrive live. Rotating keys and accordion, predominate pedal steel, a guitar trio of bass, electric and acoustic continually alter the profile. This can be a challenge to some sound systems. Not all consistently aligned in the Hare and Hounds and it was tough at times to decipher the vocals. Imperfections are part of the live experience and the substance of Brown Horse’s overall demeanour can carry a performance.
There was a marked difference in the ease of acceptance for Brown Horse albums. RESERVOIR, the 2024 debut, required time to build an impact, while ALL THE RIGHT WEAKNESSES, now a month old, revealed its strengths a lot quicker. Reasons behind the upward trajectory were laid out in the highlights from the Birmingham set. Possessing a banner track lavishly leaving an imprint on a listener’s mind is a gem worth shining and perpetually using. ‘Corduroy Couch’ could be Brown Horse’s calling card, capable of swooning a small venue gathering and likewise bigger stages that await. Hot on its heel in Birmingham was the bass heavy opening to ‘Radio Free Bolinas’, a pair of standout moments. Other tracks from the new album included were ‘Verna Bloom’, ‘Wisteria Vine’, ‘Dog Rose’ and ‘Wipers’. Definitely an album to stick around for the long term.
Less of RESERVOIR had an airing. ‘Stealing Horses’ remains an intriguing song, while ‘Shoot Back’ proved a valuable encore addition as it ensured the gig ended on a high. There was even a new song introduced. With back-to-back albums out in little over a year, it may be wise to nurture their live presence rather than adding to a crowded place.
Oli Cook and his band opened the evening with a 30-minute slot. They proved a wise choice and good fit on a Brown Horse bill. A tight band and one exceptional guitar solo gave the performance a positive glow.
Reasons behind Brown Horse being picked up by Loose Music and the rush to praise are evident. They shape up well for refined ears and are an easy sell to certain quarters. The challenge is to broaden the appeal. Sharpening the live presentation and honing in on key strengths will yield results. They are a band worth watching out for and add value to any live music choice. Expect to have to give a little as a keen listener and nuggets will begin to sparkle.
