Ebony Bones

If you’ve read anything about Ebony Bones, you’re probably aware of the comparisons between her and Lil Kim, Karen O, Neneh Cherry, MIA and countless others. Well, forget the comparisons, Ebony Bones is as unique an English eccentric as they come; her musical influences may be worn on her sleeve but together they form something very different to what the British indie scene usually produces.

She has yet to release an album, however punchy white label singles ‘We Know All About You’ and ‘Don’t Fart On My Heart’ were both nominated as Radio 1 DJ Zane Low’s Hottest Record In The World Today, she has played Glastonbury two years running, was selected by Massive Attack to appear as part of this year ‘s Meltdown at the Royal Festival Hall, as well as rocking the Gaymers Great Escape tent at Lovebox and having such illustrious artists as Don Letts, Basement Jaxx, and Grace Jones as fans.

And the one and only Ms Jones herself was in attendance at Ebony Bones’ gig at Proud in Camden last weekend, though safely tucked away from the masses. At 11 pm the band and backing singers solemnly filed onstage in spite of their futuristic outfits and space age make up. The two backing vocalists, kitted out in colourful wigs and luminous prints, glitter around their eyes and lips, stood facing the audience with utmost seriousness and without moving a muscle. As soon as the first few beats of ‘We Know All About You’ began to play, they broke into an excitable African dance, jumping up and down and waving arms in the air in a craze, all whilst providing flawless backing vocals.

Ebony Bones herself appeared in a blur of colour, big hair and a headpiece halfway between a wizards’ hat and a feather, (in a nod to Grace Jones, perhaps?) and proceeded to whip up a storm on stage. Within minutes the entire audience were jumping and clapping along, in movements not dissimilar to a punk pogo, an apt dance to Bones’ raw energy mix of calypso, punk, funk, and afrobeat, so rare in mainstream music today.

‘Your Future Ex-Wife’ and ‘Don’t Fart on My Heart’ followed, along with a myriad of sounds which reminded me of Notting Hill’s technicolour carnival with its thumping baselines and whistles, for Ebony Bones’ music contains the force of a riot, whilst her lyrics are less serious and on the playful side – just listen to ‘Don’t Fart on My Heart’ for example. Her short set ended after she’d managed to get the crowd moving in perfect tandem with her and her band, to the left, to the right, to the front, etc. I left Proud wondering whether this would be the last time it’s possible to see her performing live for £5, as once her album produced by wonderkids Richard X and Future Cuts is released, there’s no telling where this rising star will shoot to next.

See Ebony perform at Sheffield University, 4th December; The Boileroom, Guildford, 19th December; Notting Hill Winter Festival, 20th December
Check www.myspace.com/ebonybones for details.