Living Room

Austrian acts have been too few and far between since the halcyon days of classical music. The multi-faceted session-like duo of Living Room take both a step into chamber music and another into the world of jazz improvisation. Messrs Christoph Pepe Auer & Manu Delago are at ease performing in a sedate room of a dozen patrons, most appreciative of their unique abilities and unusual stylings.

Augmented by the odd, in fact very odd, toy instrument (a spinning top and a plastic tube thingy), bass clarinetist Christoph and hang-percussionist Manu present their laid back musak like no other, although undeniably inspired by such New York jazz session luminaries as Wayne Shorter and Ornette Coleman.

Incidentally, the ‘hang’ is a relatively new instrument (c. 2001), of Swiss origin and comprising of 3 flying-saucer-like metal objects with varying degrees of note structure. Meditative but seductive, one finds their music – and this is not a criticism – taking you to the land of nod. Only a sharp poke in one’s eye and their undeniable talent, keeps one from narcolepsy – or maybe it was just that time of day.
Listen out for the unique medley of Queen songs.

Sweet Grassmarket, Apex City Hotel, 0870 241 0136, until 312 Aug, 3.45pm, £8 (£6).