Changing sounds: East and West in Flux

March 28 2014

Four musicians have come together to create a unique and affecting sound…

By Khakan Qureshi

FLUX. Now that’s not a name you hear very often. And don’t confuse it with any other four letter word beginning with the letter F! Flux compromises of a small group of musicians – three men and a woman, who met through their mutual love of music, juxtaposed with a taste of Eastern influences and rhythms.

I saw this band on one fine Saturday afternoon last month at the Symphony Hall Café Bar, Broad Street, Birmingham and noted that the audience was predominantly white with a sprinkling of brown faces.

I sat down with great anticipation and I was not disappointed. First off, the wind whistled around the roof which initially caused some concern with regards to the acoustics but in fact, it added to the ambience of the first piece called “Night Tide“.

The instruments played in each arrangement were varied and comprised piano, violin, flute, acoustic and electric guitars. The distinct sound of each piece was music to lift the spirits.

I heard the next track called “Rivers” and felt like I was listening to a theme tune to a classic drama, reminiscent of Merchant Ivory productions. Each track offered up a distinct sound, evocative of hot summers, Mediterranean flavours, dusky sunsets with a wonderful blend of Indian promises. The notes floated around the hall like dandelions in the breeze.

The Second Set consisted of a track called “Mirrors” taken from their debut EP, which was out two years ago, possessed a haunting melody. There was the sound of Spanish influences in “Thanks for Busking“, a blistering toe tapping performance, a rousing number called “Piece By Piece“, which got the audience clapping and the achingly beautiful “Overcome” was an emotional rollercoaster. Then there was a “Gearshift“, also the title of one of the tracks played, followed by “Switch” and the upbeat “Shadowlines“.

Flux are relative newcomers to mainstream audiences, although they have been around for a while. They successfully blend western sounds with a touch of Eastern chords and thankfully, it does not fail to impress.

Fortunately, they do not bow down to musical stereotypes in blending the two worlds. They are neither clichéd nor contrived.  It’s not heavily laden with sounds we have come to expect from such a mix and in bringing their individual talents together, they have certainly created a new sound, if not a new niche of music. Flux. Remember their name!

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• The Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, London N1 2UN, Saturday 29th March at 12pm (FREE ENTRY) : For more information, click here