The Thrill is Back. Incendiary debut from blues trio at Indalo Space

On Saturday night in Indalo Space, Luiz de Oliveira (guitar, vocals), Wojtas “Śwital” Świtalski (percussion) and Ethan Smith (bass) tore into energetic and bombastic blues covers of BB King, Muddy Waters and John Mayall to name but a few. Live, the blues often means safe standards covered by aging, privileged, white guys who’ve never had a day’s bad luck in their lives. This trio took a flame thrower to whatever narrow-minded predispositions I might have about the genre. While proudly showcasing the genre’s southern working class roots, this is blues with a twist, borrowing, as they do, elements from surf-rock, jazz, punk and grunge; it’s utterly ballsy, sexual, honest and irreverent – with a little bit of self-loathing thrown in for good measure. 

The kingpin of the trio is undoubtedly De Oliveira, who you can occasionally find playing in famous musical waterholes like Harris Piano Jazz Bar. Half Brazilian/Polish, he is very much a classic blues guitarist, but he has openly embraced a melting pot of other influences from the colourful, rich tapestry of musicians he has surrounded himself with over the years. Tonight, he makes the guitar squeal like an opera soprano during an appendectomy, pleasure and pain playfully coexisting within his sonic range. I really cannot remember the last time a guitar player has cast such a spell on an audience. It’s like hearing and seeing a rockabilly-obsessed Rory Gallagher with a penchant for voodoo and cheap whiskey. He alternates between his Gibson, a Cigar Box guitar that quickly goes out of tune and keeps him on his toes, and an elaborate flying V. His deft touch and the unapologetic filth of his tone injects relevance and life into tired old blues numbers that have been around the block, suddenly appearing reborn – fresh-faced, impatient and horny as hell. This is impassioned and vibrant music for a larger stage than Indalo, but such an intimate venue made us feel a little bit special. Świtalski expressiveness, stamina and awareness (on drums) paired with the elegant and buoyant Smith on bass kept things tight but flowing with intermittent, tasteful flourishes when needed; the perfect foil to the extravagance and showmanship of Luiz. The trio honor the blues tradition while simultaneously tearing it up in front of our eyes.  

This is blues for the 21st century, it’s musical medicine administered in the depths of a snowy mid-winter’s night. Fu•k it – this is a blues revival – and it’s here and now.