SZJERDENE
+
ASHLEY IONA
Entering this place was a little curious, a seemingly stylish but fairly average looking coffee shop and bar. However head to the back, downstairs and through the black drapes you are greeted by the most intimate of music venues.
+
ASHLEY IONA
Entering this place was a little curious, a seemingly stylish but fairly average looking coffee shop and bar. However head to the back, downstairs and through the black drapes you are greeted by the most intimate of music venues.
With a capacity of only 100, Echoes boasts one of the best
PA systems in London and it’s stage area is emblazoned with their name in neon
surrounded by tropical ferns giving an it exotic quality. Tonight’s show was
going to be extra special especially as any by this lady are so few and far
between.
SZJERDENE (Pronounced J’er-deen) is an East London native
but now is currently based in Amsterdam. She has been making her own music for most of this decade as well as
collaborating with some big creative names in the music world, namely LAPALUX
and BONOBO, co-writing and providing vocals for both and becoming featured
vocalist on tour with the latter.
The ‘Paragon’ EP was released late last to critical acclaim,
but she has only performed it live on a few occasions making this a show not to
be missed.
Before our headliner we naturally had support and this came from
another well travelled artist.
ASHLEY IONA is a Sydney girl who came up from
down under and spent some time in New York before reaching our shores. Her
music isn’t easily categorized, but there are strong influences of everything
from folk to blues and soul with a hefty dose of classic singer/songwriter (and when she lists everyone from Etta James to Phil Collins as an
influence, I don’t think you’d be surprised just why she can’t be immediately
pigeon-holed).
Her brilliantly titled EP ‘Greatest Hits’ has recently dropped
and we were treated to tracks from that as well as a couple of brand new
compositions, backed by her 3 piece band complete with cello and all delivered superbly with the
surroundings only adding to the quality of the performance.
Highlights included recent single ‘Taking Me Under’
(originally a duet with KEVIN DAVEY WHITE) and new song ‘Stargazing’ (which
could soon also end up as another ‘greatest hit’). A suitably stylish introduction to a new talent to watch.
Get the EP 'Greatest Hits' now on itunes
Wasting no time at all, it was time for the featured artist.
SZJERDENE arrived at the stage looking stunning, resplendent in her long flowing white dress accessorized with a particularly blingy necklace.
Launching into her set with EP opener 'Are you here' it was obvious that she, and the audience definitely were and more than ready for what was to come. Promising us 'Paragon' in full plus a couple of older favourites was more than enough to keep the small but attentive crowd happy.
Her delicate yet powerful (not to mention faultless) vocal soared over every song, providing an almost hypnotic quality to each beautifully chilled track (although she did encourage dancing to 'Faded' because, as she put it, 'it's about as fast as it gets')
. Oldies came in the shape of the sumptuous 'Blue Lullaby' from her previous 2013 release the 'Patchwork' EP plus a medley of two songs ('Transit' & 'Towers') recorded for BONOBO's 'The North Borders' album. There was also an exclusive treat in the form of previous unheard new song 'Veils'.
All too quickly the set was over, sending everyone home appropriately enough with 'Abode'.
What was a magical and sadly all too short performance had drawn to a close, we can only hope that is is not too long before we get a chance to see another.
If you missed it you can still watch the entire set here via our video playlist
If you missed it you can still watch the entire set here via our video playlist
