Say "teenage singer-songwriter" to most people, and you will elicit an unenthusiastic response; eyes will be rolled, and expectations will be low. These people, however, will probably not have seen O.Chapman play live.
The 18 year old has been releasing music unofficially for almost two years, and it shows. His beautiful, melodic songs are hardly unimpressive on record, but become far more affecting live. The songs on display tonight are confidently delivered, even if the man himself earnestly professes to being incredibly nervous. Opener "Wake Up", like many of O.Chapman's songs, floats easily into a sublime instrumental breakdown, just as absorbing as his young-Antony Hegarty-on-Marlboro croon. The ease with which such intricate melodies and harmonies are interwoven furthers the notion that the 60-strong audience tonight are in the presence of considerable talent. Chapman's nonchalant, familiar banter- (sample: "I wrote this song when I thought I was in love...WRONG, just horny...") also entertains the massed ranks within 229, not just the mini-fanclub at the stage's front.
Though there is not a single point of the set that could be described as a lull, closer and crowd favourite "Morning Song" is certainly a high. With the equally charming Tash Heliotis joining him on vocals, Chapman glides through his signature tune, whose sing-song rhythm recalls Bert Jansch on Valium- less hyperactively showy, and much more dreamily graceful.
O.Chapman's prolific output reveals an artist with undeniable talent, whilst live, he could- and indeed does- captivate an audience while inspecting a venue's structurally suspect ceiling. The North-Londoner is no doubt one to keep a very keen eye on.
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