by Phil Scarisbrick

In the world of stand up comedy, there are many performers who are frustrated musicians. It is unusual therefore to find somebody where the opposite is true. Benjamin Spike Saunders wants to be a stand up comedian, but claims to be ‘too much of a coward’. Instead, he has channelled his energy into music. After releasing his first solo track, Long Friend, last year, he now returns with an eight track EP that showcases a blend of lo-fi music with earnest lyrics.

Tonsil Wife was recorded almost entirely on his iPhone, giving the whole record a naturally stark feel. The opening pair of Delicate and Settee combine subtle strokes of acoustic guitar with synth keys to create a welcoming atmosphere, while Saunders’ intimate vocal feels like he is singing just for you. The natural crackle at the start and end of the recording bookend one of the EP’s highlights, Martha. With a finger picked guitar sat below a vocal that yearns for the eponymous Martha, the track evokes the atmosphere of Alex Turner’s Submarine soundtrack.

Elsewhere, For The Benefit Of Someone Else sees Saunders utilise a classy falsetto for a melody-rich romp, while final song Can You Eat sees him combine a similar style with a piano that is permanently fighting with the natural fuzz of the low-tech recording methods. While the fuzz and crackles that sit on the whole EP can be a little a distracting at times, the recording methods utilised here do give the songs an edge that would possibly be lost with some kind of protools sheen. The largely concise vignettes that we hear are warm and engaging, never out-staying their welcome but giving a melodically-pleasing glimpse into this writer’s mind. It may not have been his first choice, but from what we hear here, music was definitely the right path for this performer.

Secret Meeting score: 70