When it comes to making music the last thing on Greta Valenti and Robin Davey’s mind is whether the song they are working on fits nicely into a particular genre of music.
As the driving force of Beau Gris Gris and the Apocalypse, one of the most entertaining, enthralling and enjoyable bands out there at the moment, the concept of labels is something they purposefully ignore.
“We’ve always had this thing where people will say ‘but we don’t know what genre you are’,” said Robin almost wearily. “But really what does that matter?”
The band officially release their third album tomorrow - Hot Nostalgia Radio - and Greta has a mischievous grin on her face when she talks about the songs.
“We’ve really doubled down on the idea that we don’t fit into a particular style,” she said. “The idea is that you’re listening to classic singles while changing radio stations so there’s rock, blues, soul, country, Americana.
“One my goals was to do a Cajun song that doesn’t suck,” she laughed “and I feel like we got that checked off too.”
Greta and Robin at first sight make an unlikely double act. She’s the Louisiana livewire who grew up listening to Cajun music in New Orleans. Robin is more reserved, having grown up in Devon before becoming one of the hottest guitarists on the UK blues scene with the band The Hoax, still talked of in revered tones by many blues aficionados.
But together they have produced one of the best live shows around and their tireless work ethic has seen them picking up fans all over the country.
Although based in LA, the UK is very much the home of Beaux Gris Gris and the Apocalypse. Earlier this year they supported Clearwater Creedence Revival on a tour and are currently on their own headline tour.
They have already played one sold out show at Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre and on Monday and Tuesday have two more dates lined up with just a handful of tickets left for Tuesday night.
And it’s those live shows which have gained the band such a growing reputation. Greta is a natural frontwoman and Robin’s blistering guitar the perfect accompaniment and the whole band just puts on a show.
“You go to a show to forget all the other things that are going on in your life,” said Robin. “You immerse yourself in that.
“Playing live is all about engaging with the audience. I never understand it when people go on stage and play the songs exactly like they are on the album.
“I want to see a different version, I want to see things stretched out, to hear something different, to see the band enjoying their music - that’s something we do every night. Of course songs do have structures but within that there are so many things you can do and very often we’ll end up somewhere we never knew we would.”
Greta added: “I always want fans to be wondering what’s next. That ‘s the fun of it for them and also for us.”
Although they take to the stage with a setlist, it’s unlikely that will be stuck to.
“It’s there to guide us,” said Robin, “but you judge the audience, the venue, the feeling in the room. Now we’ve got the new album we’ve got 14 more songs to add into the mix along with our older stuff and numerous cover versions.
“We’ve been know to cover a song we’ve never played before just because it’s felt right.”
Last year they released a live album and have started to make more of their shows available via Bandcamp and Patreon.
The shows in Barnoldswick will be recorded and filmed.
“We initially recorded the shows for us to listen back to but we realised that the shows sounded so good and because the nights are always so different we want to get more out there for folk,” said Greta.
Beaux Gris Gris and the Apocalypse, Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre, Monday and Tuesday. Visit www.barnoldswickmusicandartscentre.com to check ticket availability. Hot Nostalgia Radio is released tomorrow
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