Pagan Wanderer Lu + Venus Stars + The Aral Sea. Live at the Dog and Partridge, Manor Street. Saturday the 21st Jan.

Pagan Wanderer Lu is a master craftsman of melodic electronic indie filled with pop 'öhrwürm' hooks, whip-smart turns of phrase and a political message rendered in effectively satirical terms rather than preaching ones.

Bearing an encyclopedic grounding in influences that range from Bright Eyes to Aphex Twin and a healthy dose of wit and wisdom, PWL performs solo with guitar, groovebox, keyboard and a deadpan confidence born of five years' gigging experience. Having played throughout England and Wales, often stealing the thunder of his headlining acts, he has left a trail of avid converts in his wake and won praise from the likes of Martin Carr (bravecaptain/Boo Radleys) and Art Brut's Eddie Argos. Anyone who hears a live performance of the articulate chaos of 'Our New Hospital Sucks', the sweet-with-a-bite charm of 'Keep the Weather Out' or veritable tour de force 'Memorial Hall', with its downbeat synth prologue turning into an uplifting electro-disco anthem, will know why.

A glance at his back catalogue of self-produced EPs and albums confirms just how prolific and versatile this artist is, always balancing his will to experiment with his matchless ear for a tune. It not only demonstrates his dedication to his art but highlights Pagan Wanderer Lu as an artist of dazzling promise.

EP out on Brainlove Records this spring.

http://www.myspace.com/paganwandererlu
http://www.myspace.com/thearalsea