I first heard Julia sing when she came to the Penguin Club last year. I was in the front row and the moment I heard her burst into “Lydia” I knew I was a fan. Juila is touring to launch her solo album away from Fur Patrol. She deliberately kept to just vocals and a guitar to get the immediacy of her songs out there.
Often a lone performer struggles to fill in a night without sounding “samey” but Julia showed such versatility and mastery of her vocals and guitar that the night raced by. Her amazing voice transcends so many styles that it is hard to put it in a box. She has a pure, yet sultry voice that draws the listener in with its emotion, clever riffs and wide range while maintaining pitch integrity. Julia’s competent guitar work complimented her vocals well.
Add to this, cleverly crafted songs that are catchy and powerful from the start. I was impressed how she could build a song up and suddenly drop away showing total control. I am definitely buying her album “Modern Fables” that is due out in the next two months. I also see she is forming a new band with Anika Moa. I believe they will be destined for big things.
As an aside, I was incredibly disappointed with a small group of Penguin Club Patrons who felt the need to talk loudly and constantly through the performance. I feel there needs to be a clear demarcation between those bands that are there to provide a party atmosphere and those performers that are there to be listened to. If this continues to happen, as a club we are in danger of losing both top quality performers such as Julia and patrons such as myself who come mainly to listen. I felt embarrassed for the club and I wonder how keen Julia will be to come back next time she is on tour?
I first heard Julia sing when she came to the Penguin Club last year. I was in the front row and the moment I heard her burst into “Lydia” I knew I was a fan. Juila is touring to launch her solo album away from Fur Patrol. She deliberately kept to just vocals and a guitar to get the immediacy of her songs out there.
Often a lone performer struggles to fill in a night without sounding “samey” but Julia showed such versatility and mastery of her vocals and guitar that the night raced by. Her amazing voice transcends so many styles that it is hard to put it in a box. She has a pure, yet sultry voice that draws the listener in with its emotion, clever riffs and wide range while maintaining pitch integrity. Julia’s competent guitar work complimented her vocals well.
Add to this, cleverly crafted songs that are catchy and powerful from the start. I was impressed how she could build a song up and suddenly drop away showing total control. I am definitely buying her album “Modern Fables” that is due out in the next two months. I also see she is forming a new band with Anika Moa. I believe they will be destined for big things.
As an aside, I was incredibly disappointed with a small group of Penguin Club Patrons who felt the need to talk loudly and constantly through the performance. I feel there needs to be a clear demarcation between those bands that are there to provide a party atmosphere and those performers that are there to be listened to. If this continues to happen, as a club we are in danger of losing both top quality performers such as Julia and patrons such as myself who come mainly to listen. I felt embarrassed for the club and I wonder how keen Julia will be to come back next time she is on tour?
Gary Shirley