Drum: PROFILES
pretty courageous for them to support you ‘cause
they’ve got to sell the big stuff or they can’t
compete with majors. I love performing over here,
though, man. I was told UK audiences were
subdued, but that hasn’t been the case. They’ve
always come to party. If the crowd meets me
halfway, we’re gonna have a great time.”
One of the very few embarrassing moments he’s had
whilst performing happened in the UK, thanks to
the presence of one of our under-appreciated soul
queens. “I performed with Mica Paris. I was really
nervous because I have so much respect for her,
she’s incredible. We were singing together and I was
missing my lines.” However, he soon regains his
cool when describing his pre-gig routine: “I go
through such a ritual, like [legendary basketball
player] Larry Bird, who’d show up hours before a
game to analyse the court. I’m like that on stage. I’m
23
(an epic, sensual ballad that originally started out as
a punk rock song) and Down Here both get the
warmest welcome. At the after party, Van plays the
gracious host, thanking those in attendance, asking
for feedback on the performance, and looking every
inch the dapper dandy man. Ironically, the bar’s DJ
spends most of the night playing the same hip-hop
and RnB that has commercial radio and MTV in a
chokehold, making it hard for Van (and Meshell
Ndegeocello, Martin Luther, Omar, and many more)
to get as much exposure as deserved.
Stood in the centre of the dance floor, in the same
smart attire from the gig earlier on, Van and his
band (an elegant mix of black suits, shirts and
bowlers) look like they accidentally stumbled into
a wormhole and have travelled decades into our
present time. Van doesn’t seem to mind though,
contentedly sipping a glass of red wine and
“I’d like to hang out in London to record,” more warm laughter
fills the air, “but the clothes are expensive here, man.”
there from the time of the sound check until it’s
time to leave after the show. Look at Prince, his
incredible work ethic at near 50 – that’s what I
aspire to.”
Whereas other artists who aspire to being like Prince
risk sounding delusional, Van curbs his enthusiasm
by musing: “Will anyone ever match Marvin Gaye’s
What’s Going On? Maybe we’re all just wasting our
time trying!” The writing of Mark Twain and films of
John Castanets (director of The Killing of a Chinese
Bookie) come in for more praise, along with such
diverse icons as Miles Davis, Richard Pryor, Sly
Stone, Neil Young and Iggy Pop.
The healthy attendance at the Shepherd’s Bush
Empire later is testament to how big Van looks
destined to become. Resplendent in a sharp salmon
jacket and charcoal beret (again perched at a perfect
angle) Van is living out his Larry Bird analogy, clearly
having fun on stage. Tracks like Seconds of Pleasure
swapping pleasantries with the well-wishers who
lose their collective minds as Drop It Like It’s Hot
slinks its way from the DJ’s speakers. The forces of
yin and yang are balanced; Van is a ‘new artist’
who’s been around for years. By ignoring current
trends, he has made an album that is rich and fresh
sounding. Through word of mouth and not being
force fed to an already jaded public, he has managed
to become the name on everyone’s lips.
I think back to a comment he made earlier in the
day, which shows that the man who sung of being
Out Of The Sky still has his feet on terra firma. When
asked of his ‘Dapper Dandy’ urban dress style, and
whether he has time to shop for clothes in London,
Van replied: “I’d like to hang out in London to record,”
more warm laughter fills the air, whilst shaking his
head, “but the clothes are expensive here.”
Van Hunt, the album, is out now.
The second single Dust is out on 13th July, both on EMI.