Gig reviews for September 2011

Emmy the Great at the SoundHouse, 30th September 2011

Trevor Locke reports

The show started with Leicester singer Grace Petrie (pronounced like Peetree), rather than as in the dish. Her finely articulated songs brought her lyrics to life. As a song writer she has positioned herself alongside artists like Billy Bragg. With a sharply political edge, her songs are often angry, spitting venom at the Tories and lampooning the ruling class; or she sings of fraught relationships. Certainly better than listening to men whining on about their former girlfriends. She went down a treat with the crowd.

Grace pulls no punches, always appealing to those who admire passion and commitment. Her songs have depth and message, searching observations on contemporary Britain, like her song "Farewell to welfare" with its incisive take on the demise of the welfare state.

An artist with character, she has a resonance with Emmy's fans, as well as with the posse of her own fans that had turned up to see her. Grace has supported Emmy the Great Before.

Click here to go to Grace Petrie's web site

The four piece melodic band It Hugs Back were in the middle slot. The band had been on tour with Emmy during September.

Click here to go to It Hugs Back's web site.

Photo © Harjinder Ohbi

Singer Emma-Lee Moss released her debut single, Secret Circus, in April 2006 and more recently, released her album Virtue in June this year. "We are about fourteen days into our tour" Emmy told me. I asked her if she had performed in Leicester before. "I played at Summer Sundae, on the indoor stage" she said referring to the festival in 2009 when she appeared on the main stage of the De Montfort Hall.

"It was fantastic, we loved it. We loved the venue" she added enthusiastically. I asked Emmy about recordings. "The new record is coming out soon", she said. "I am recording a Christmas album but I can't tell you about that just now", she added cryptically.

I asked Emmy about her career as a singer. "I got into music when I was a backing singer in a band - Jeremy Warmsley of Summer Camp's solo project. I have been going for five to six years", she told me. What would she be singing tonight? "Tonight's songs are ones off our album which is why we are touring" she explained. Where are they off to next, I asked. "We move on to Portsmouth, Brighton, Bristol, Manchester. I really enjoy it (touring) we get into a rhythm. We really love each other" she told me and added "it's just work."

Were there artists whose work she admires? "I really admire Grace", she said, nodding at the nearby Grace Petrie. I am big fan of Summer Camp, and my friends, Ash", she said.

I asked her how she wrote new songs. "When I am on tour I have a scrapbook where I write ideas and then it just all comes out from there", Emmy explained. The other band started their sound check and so our brief interview came to an end.

emmy the great singing at the sound house

Emmy enjoys a highly committed and enthusiastic fan base and the packed SoundHouse was testament to her loyal following, many of whom had traveled quite some distance to see her tonight. It was clear that many of her admirers were familiar with her Albums.

Emmy began her set with an almost a-cappella intro to the first song. Her voice was sharp and clear, as it captured the hushed audience. Her melodic songs were backed by her band with well orchestrated instrumentals.

Poetically lyrical her short songs were frequently introspective, creating a large dose of atmosphere. Often dark and mysterious, she held the audience in thrall. Her hour long set gave the room full of fans what they wanted. It was an unusual night and one that will be remembered for a long time to come.

Click here to go to Emmy the Great's web site.