You can listen to Ellie's interview with the Ralfe Band by clicking on this audio link: Since falling in love with Bob Dylan and later Frank Black, I am convinced that the best bands are the ones that sometimes sing and play just off-key, and yet can get away with it. Ralfe Band are the first group I have seen in a long time who can boast this happily unpolished sound, and let me reassure you, it isn't unpolished in any unfinished sort of way... Marches, yodelling, and military drums Imagine a relatively peaceful Pixies song. Add the lo-fi shuffle of the Beta Band, a little Calexico, some rollicking front porch hillbilly guitar, and a dash of Eastern European folk. Then, sprinkle it with weird sounds. If that doesn't sound good to you then there's something amiss with my description, because this lot are very refreshing and, quite frankly, special. I am aware that it's very easy to put interesting sounds together with the result being that you disappear up your own posterior and no-one else can, or wants to, follow you up there. Be not afraid though, Ralfe Band are not of this ilk - they slip coughs, splutters and little horn pips into exactly the right places. Having loved the album, I was worried that their music wasn't going to be as good live, seeing as the record uses a wealth of instruments, effects and technical tweakings. Oly and Mitchell looked a little nervous at first, starting with what seemed like a very fast waltz, but by the first instrumental it looked like they were enjoying themselves, and so were the audience. Marches, yodelling, military drums and surreal lyrics were transporting us into a twisted little world. Two experiences for the price of one And then, all of a sudden, a group of pie-eyed Ben Sherman billboards barged to the front. Several inhibitive sheets to the wind, they began to dance around like clowns, wave conductor arms around and shout at the band. They were clearly taking the p*** - what else can you do when you walk into a place playing weird folk music? Little by little though, they were wooed; with a breathtaking viola solo here and a catchy melody there. By the end of it, they were no longer dancing to show off but just for the fun of it, and I wouldn't be surprised if one or two snuck off to buy the CD when they thought no-one was watching. As for me, I felt that live, they were like a foreign folk orchestra, which is not the impression you get from their recorded tracks. I was a bit disappointed to see that there were no ominous French horns for my favourite song Arrow and Bow, but I enjoyed myself anyway, and, in the end, I realised it would have been wrong if they had sounded just like the album. Ralfe Band offer two experiences for the price of one band - and I bet no two gigs are the same either. | 
