LIVE: OWINY SIGOMA BAND [04/07/13]

So, I had the pleasure of watching OWINY SIGOMA BAND live the other day at Rough Trade East. And let me just say, it was as original as their band name and as captivating as their recent album cover.

I only heard these guys literally a week ago and was sucked in by the catchy ‘Harpoon Land’, from their latest album ‘Power Punch’; so I was delighted when I found out they were playing a gig in London the next week.

This very unique sounding band is composed of four London-based musicians: brothers - Jesse and Louis Hackett, Sam Lewis and Tom Skinner, and two Kenyan-born musicians: Joseph Nyamungu and Charles Owoko. Combining native Kenyan instruments such as the nyatiti, an 8-stringed lyre (mini harp looking instrument) and Nidwon'ge drums, with more common instruments like guitars, drums and a keyboard, we are able to see how well this band is able to infuse East African styles with more Western indie sounds.

The vibes transmitted from this band were most definitely realised by the crowd as there was no song that didn’t have us grooving. Nyamungu, acting as the driving force of this sextet was not only impressive with his lively singing, but also with his dance moves, especially visible in ‘Owiny Techno’. Owoko also whipped out some killer moves on the b-side track ‘Nyiduonge Drums’. Gotta say, the crowd loved those moves!

Nyamungu and Owoko repping the Kenyan flag with their
very bold outfits. I particularly loved the red bowler hats. 

Not only one of my favourites, but also the crowd’s - ‘Harpoon Land’, seemed to fall easily on eager ears. However, it was not as energetic as I thought it would be live; although the singing was in tune, it seemed quite torpid at the most part. BUT regardless of this, that funky guitar riff made up for this trivial gaffe. Another hit with the crowd was ‘Wires’, from their eponymous album.

Despite encountering a couple of minor difficulties on set, including one of Charles’ drums falling over a few times, these guys glided through and still gave an overall sick performance. The crowd even demanded an encore, which the band quite happily gave in to… Without us having to chant for too long.

I suspect BIG things from this band. If you like groovy guitar riffs and hard hitting drums, I suggest you give these guys a listen. I assure you, you won’t be disappointed… And if you are, you can power punch me in the belly!... If you can find me.