The Vagaband

The Vagaband

The Vagaband are a UK roots music group whose sound draws on country, folk, rock, soul and swing. Their music combines original songs, selected covers and older honky-tonk material, and they often balance light-hearted material with more weighty themes. Their songs feature themes such as love, death and trains, and the band’s style is built around danceable rhythms and a lively stage presence.

Line-up and background

The band begins with José McGill, whose earlier work includes street acts such as Roxy’s Toolbox and Swervy World, cabaret with the Herbie Treehead Band, and touring with Them Heads. He is joined by long-term musical partner and pedal steel player Patrick Arbuthnott, who has played with The Rockingbirds, Hank Wangford Band and Jimmy Nail Band. Joe Wright contributes fiddle and is linked here with Fairport Convention’s Martin Alcock. Ali Houiellebecq, associated with Le La Les and The Sweetbeats, adds vocals and saxophone. Hugh Stanners plays trumpet. Tristan Roche plays bass and sings falsetto, while Dan Reynolds plays drums.

Early history and performances

The Vagaband’s first performance takes place in a warehouse in Hackney, with two guitars and a set of covers exchanged for beer and the promise of a good night. After José and Patrick move back to Norfolk, they expand the line-up with musicians from the local scene. Their first recording includes the original track “The River”, which is played as song of the week on Pulse Radio.

Festival appearances

The band goes on to perform at many festivals across the United Kingdom. They also appear at Hackney Empire’s theatre bar, play the marquee at The Green Man Fayre, and close the final night of the 2009 Norfolk & Norwich Festival in the Spiegel Tent.

Reception

Comments associated with the band describe them as playing old-style, good-time countrybilly and as sounding as if they come from another era, with ragged but strong songs aimed at getting the audience involved.