Arthur Beatrice have done something a bit embarrassing. A new band’s name is everything these days, so it’s unfortunate then when nascent groups fail to ensure their handle isn’t already taken—by another band or by somebody embarrassing. For those of a certain age, the new indie-pop ensemble Arthur Beatrice immediately evoke Beatrice Arthur’s tough-yet-friendly character in American sitcom about pensioners, Golden Girls. Not exactly a cutting-edge reference.
It’s a rookie mistake. And even though their response to the error reeks with insufferable indie-band preciousness (the opening paragraph of their biography reads ‘Formed from the notion of opposites coming together to complete perfect wholes, the name Arthur Beatrice recalls emergence, rather than memories of Golden Girls’) what matters is that their music redeems them of their pretentious nonsense.
Carter EP, released in July, features some incredibly catchy hooks; the one on Butcher’s Hook is far more deft than the song’s name suggests. Ella Girardot’s vocals are deep and clear and ever so slightly feathered. She shares singing duties with Orlando, whose voice is warm and husky—as a counterpoint to Ella’s (he’s the Arthur to her Beatrice, we suppose) it works rather well. They’re releasing their debut album Working Out this February and you can catch them December 11 at Cargo.
Ticket price: £8.90
| What | Arthur Beatrice, Cargo |
| Where | Cargo, 83 Rivington St , EC2A 3AY | MAP |
| When |
On 11 Dec 13, 8.00pm |
| Price | |
| Website | Click here to book via seetickets.com |