A Smoke Fairy

Yesterday was a highly serendipitous day and it didn't stop when I posted my blip. Later in the evening Spartan posted his great blip (here) and included a link to the Smoke Fairies' Storm Song. I watched the video and was again reminded of the talent of these two young women. A few weeks back, after playing their two albums pretty much on continuous play for a while, I'd taken a little break. Their tracks, like all the best music, are growers. The initial impression is good, but the subtleties and meanings, the real soul of their music, only overtakes you with time. I love the feeling when you first begin to totally inhabit an album, its every hook making you tingle. But I know you have to be careful not to spoil that feeling by over-indulging it.

Anyway, late last night, prompted by Spartan's blip, I just checked their website to see if they might be touring anytime soon. I couldn't believe it when the first venue I saw was Leeds, that very evening ... but too late of course. Then I realised that they were playing in Hebden Bridge today. I left a comment asking if he was up for it, and of course he was! And it seems we managed to procure the very last two tickets!

There was a bit of adventure along the way to get to the venue, involving narrowly-made train connections, quite a bit of running, and much torrential rain, but the only important thing to say is that the Smoke Fairies rocked! Warmed up by two very good support acts, the Fairies owned The Trades Club last night. Fronting a five-piece, the two girls come across as quite shy but have a remarkable presence on stage once they enter their music. Their bluesy folk sound was so much more raw and edgy heard live than on their albums, and all the better for it. Often I can be disappointed by the sound at live gigs, but not on this occasion.

Things wound up twenty minutes before our train back from Hebden Bridge to Bradford at midnight, leaving just enough time for Spartan to seek a personal audience with the Fairies - which, in his inimitable style, he duly managed. They were really lovely, Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies, and Spartan got a hug! Not me, I was too busy trying to capture the moment for posterity!!

I had sharper and possibly better photographs than this, especially after Spartan virtually pushed me to the front, but this one best captures the atmosphere of the night. I love the way Katherine's hands melt into the guitar here. Her playing was like that too. She and that guitar were indeed as one. That's what it felt and sounded like.

I left Spartan at Bradford to get a taxi to the office, from where I collected my bike to cycle back home on empty roads under a full moon. It felt like the perfect way to end a quite magical evening. Thanks for being up for it Spartan The first of many magical adventures I hope.