Entertainment features

Thomas Truax @ The Cumberland Arms, Monday 22 October, 2007, with support from JJ Crash, Dressed in Wires and Shin Jin Rui.

Anyone who has seen Truax during one of his many visits to the region, (if you have not, you should be ashamed!), will know what a wonderful performance and atmosphere it is. Tonight was no exception.

The night began with 'Truax’s driver', as he so modestly introduced himself.

JJ Crash gives the sort of impression of a relative that quite fancied a go on his nephew's guitar, but despite how rude that statement sounds, I really enjoyed his set.

It was a lighthearted affair from a man who clearly enjoyed strumming away at a pleasant little array of tunes. He was an excellent opener, to a wonderful night.

Next up, came Dressed in Wires.

If you thought he was loud last night, then you have not seen this one-man show before.

Rather reserved, yet giving his all, DiW, shy as he is, packed a mighty punch in the evening's events.

Merely relying on his equipment, never saying a word, he creates a noise explosion that takes you on your own little journey.

The strange animation playing on the screen behind also added a new dimension!

Witty banter

Shin Jin Rui had a bit of a halted start, due to a few technical problems, but towards the end of the set, I found myself repeating the phrase: "I quite like this song actually" with uncanny regularity.

Truax has never once failed to impress me, even when I have not been in the most social of moods!

His one of a kind 'instruments', his witty banter and wonderful view of the world expressed in only a way that he knows, you can't help but love every minute.

With appearances from the trusty Hornicator, Sister Spinster, and his very own Mary Poppins, as well as a handheld fan used on the guitar to perfect effect for The Butterfly and the Entomologist, each song brings something new.

Breath of fresh air

Audience participation is also a great part of Truax’s charm. The Stringaling requires a helping hand from an audience member, and everyone is encouraged to "form a circle, and hold hands" as he projects a beam of light, the moon, onto the ceiling for Full Moon over Wowtown.

Performing from atop the bar, running around the building and returning through a different entrance to the one he exited, while still singing, and rallying a generally warm atmosphere, Truax is a wonderful breath of fresh air.

"We're really enjoying this tour," he says. "We're off to London tomorrow, you should all come along, we'll make a trip of it...There isn't a gig there, but you can come to mine and we'll have a sing and a chat about life."

I am not at all sure what world he has come from, (directions to the land he calls Wowtown aren't always clear), but he expresses its energy and strange existence wonderfully.

Go and see him, you will not be disappointed.