Week of August 26, 2014
This was a showcase of women artists curated by a music fan.
Interspersed throughout the night was spoken word by Joanna Lowe. Most of her material is ernest and profound and often goes to the edge of tears. If you don’t allow her to take you there it can feel heavy. But if you suspend disbelief and follow her into her world, it is raw and crafted and takes you somewhere. Her intensity paired well with the intensity of the other artists.
Crystal Morgan has a lovely voice, clearly trained. She had some really interesting musical moments, all weakened by her choice of instrument to accompany her. I’d go for a full-sized acoustic guitar to suit her voice. I’d also be a fan of electric.
Morgan Erina was in the finest form I have ever seen. She reminds me of Sinead O’Connor and PJ Harvey. Usually there is something so ethereal about her music and voice that I imagine her evaporating into the ether. Not at this show. She was fiercely grounded, like granite, but with reckless alt rock edges. Like a steel weapon. I’ve always liked her but at this show I felt like she transcended to that rarified space— the league of great national artists. No joke. And I’m a real fan now.
Jasmine Tate has been getting tons of buzz; I’m glad I finally saw her live. She’s got extraverted rockstar charm, playing groove-based songs with lyrics that go from rap to bluesy/rock sung choruses.
I would definitely lose the cello and the idea of noodling, and play up the bass/drums backing her. Because her song don’t “go anywhere” in the sense that verse and chorus are over the same chords with few, if any, bridges, the foundation has to effing swing as hard as she does.
I had to leave before hearing her whole set but I’d like to hear more, and especially hear her develop a less jam-band sound. Add some real riffs and some arranged shapes, keep it tight, because she’s totally got it.
Is it good? Yup. I heard some new artists and became bigger fans of old ones. Yet another showcase night to display how my city is rich with young and developing talent.