Nap Eyes, a Halifax outfit fronted by guitarist-vocalist Nigel Chapman, proved to be one of the surprise gems peppered throughout SappyFest's carefully curated lineup. Quality over quantity was the theme, with the quartet playing only a handful of songs, all stately and chiming, with space-gazing guitar solos, courtesy of Each Other's Brad Loughead, scrawled into the verses.
Chapman's lyrics were spirited and poetic, while his voice was rich and gusty, almost reminiscent of a different era. As impressive as the music was, the singer seemed unmistakably modest. With half of his blond hair hanging in his face, Chapman, dressed in a silken kaleidoscopic shirt (blouse?) and jeans, bounced between bashful and playful banter in between songs, his gaze shifting downwards often.
While he adjusted his mic before the final tune, the frontman encouraged the crowd to purchase their EP, adding with a smile that "it means more to us to gain the $5 than it does for you to lose them." With the charming set as proof, it'd hardly be a loss.
Chapman's lyrics were spirited and poetic, while his voice was rich and gusty, almost reminiscent of a different era. As impressive as the music was, the singer seemed unmistakably modest. With half of his blond hair hanging in his face, Chapman, dressed in a silken kaleidoscopic shirt (blouse?) and jeans, bounced between bashful and playful banter in between songs, his gaze shifting downwards often.
While he adjusted his mic before the final tune, the frontman encouraged the crowd to purchase their EP, adding with a smile that "it means more to us to gain the $5 than it does for you to lose them." With the charming set as proof, it'd hardly be a loss.
