"He knows how to write hits" (FRET Magazine)
"Touching and stunningly beautiful songs" (PLATO magazine)
THE LIGHT BRIGADE
Loosen The Knot (Reel Records 2008, release date: 5 October) is The Light Brigade's second full length after the 2004 debut album The Light Album, which received a warm welcome from the Dutch music media, praising its sincere, sensitive and well-crafted pop songs. Nothing has changed in that respect. Loosen The Knot is once again an album that harbours many gems, which at times evoke memories of the sixties, particularly the West Coast sound, but manage to steer clear from nostalgia nonetheless. And again, these emotionally charged gems are delivered with an intensity that comes naturally to songwriter Gerton Govers, something that sets The Light Brigade apart from many other acts in the genre.
However, not everything has remained the same. In the past, The Light Brigade presented themselves as a band, a collective. It has always been Gerton Govers (vocals, guitar) who wrote the songs and now he is the sole member of The Light Brigade. Loosen The Knot therefore, is the work of one man and as a result it sounds sparse, naked and transparent in comparison to The Light album, which was much more a band effort. That's not to say there isn't plenty going on in the songs. But this time around, the arrangements are much more refined and subtle because, frankly, these songs don't need much. All they need is for someone to hear them.
Gerton Govers (1972) has been active as a musician since the early nineties. He had been in several bands when he joined forces with three other songwriters in Mitch (1998 – 2002), a band that gained much critical acclaim during its existence. Mitch released two albums, of which Razzle Dazzle (MFSW 2000) is their most accomplished. After leaving Mitch in early 2002, Gerton formed The Light Brigade as an outlet for his own songs. Since then, he has performed internationally and played several festivals like ZXZW and No Sleep Til' Burg.
"In a myspace world of singer songwriters who take themselves far too
seriously, it's rare to find someone who not only diplays genuine
emotion and intensity whilst playing live, but who also brings a
warmth and a natural easy going charm that wins over any crowd and
draws you in to his melodic, heartfelt tunes." (Andy Tucker - The Dead Beat Club)
OOR magazine: The man with the golden vocal-chords.
FRET magazine: He knows how to write hits!
PLATOMANIA: Songs like Its something else & Take Care are touching and stunningly beautiful.
KEURINGSDIENST VAN WAREN: Pop with a capital P
Discography:
Demo 2003,
DEMOntage 11 (2004) (Compilation CD, dutch magazine FRET),
The Light Album (2004) (REEL LIFE, distr. by Clear Spot),
Loosen the Knot (2008)
Facts: Live- sessions KINK FM & Omroep Brabant- played on radio 6 (folk it!) - Demo of the Month (FRET)- Regional final GPVN- Album: The Light Album- gigs in Scotland, USA, dutch venues like: W2, 013, Tavenu, EKKO, MEZZ, ZXZW, NO Sleep Til'burg. Shows with The Dead Beat Club, Kaki King, Sylvester Anfang, Bird by Snow, Walker Diver, Vincent Koreman, Leaf, Adam Klein, Hoochie Fig, Zomotta, Tom Wolkers and many others.
Check video's http://www.youtube.com/user/gertongovers
