[Segueness is a curious random occurrence where two tunes ultimately beat as one]
Not very obvious this one but I can’t listen to either song without thinking of the other. Witness seemed to have the critics in their pockets but relations with their record label eventually led to their break up in 2003. ‘Under A Sun’ was the Wigan (you see Verve didn’t have it all their own way) outfits’ sophomore release, which included the epic ‘You Are My Own Invention’. Things are decidedly acoustic until the sky opens to the sound of cascading chords and Gerard Starkie’s emotive vocals. It gets my heart pumping every time. Long-View are from Manchester and despite having a number of successful forays into the UK Top 30 singles charts seem altogether unknown. Their music is melancholic yet prone to uplifting moments like ‘Will You Wait Here’ that is so sumptuous you’ll feel like closing your eyes and levitating. Long-View are currently working on a new LP. Both Witness and Long-view echo to the sound of Liverpool’s Shack, no mean comparison and yet another reason why they belong in a temporary state of segueness. KD
Witness – You Are All My Own Invention
Long-View – Will You Wait Here
More Witness Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Under a Sun [US] Under a Sun
Year: 2001
More Long-View Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Album: [UK] Mercury [US] Mercury
Year: 2003
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Thanks for mentioning the incredible Long-View! Saw them two years ago at the Viper Room in LA. The place was full of industry big-wigs & only a few seem to know who Long-View was. By the end of their set, they had completely won over the crowd. They are definitely one of the tightest live bands I’ve seen in the last few years. Big things are hopefully headed their way. It’s amazing they aren’t more popular.