The Prohibition Studio is new to me. I had never been to this venue before, and there was a moment in which I found myself having to revisit my phone for directions. The venue is situated on Arrad Street, just behind the Casa. Having found my bearings, I ventured into a secluded little space. One felt snug in the cosy placement of chairs and tables, gyrating around a very quaint stage. The venue had an almost ‘podcast’ like set up, which makes sense given that it is a proper recording studio.
The night commenced with Dorothy Bird. She was accompanied by Jon Lawton on guitar.
Dorothy Bird’s music channels 70s synth and prog rock, with its spacey delays and mood. But it would be unfair to confine her music to the ghostly and celestial; bluesy inflections filtered through and pinned the sonic underlay. This reader could hear subtle hints of both Pink Floyd and the dashes of Angelo Badalamenti (of Twin Peaks fame).
Nicola Hardman took the second spot, and her presence was felt in the room. Hardman, like Bird, continued with the celestial motif, albeit channelled through a classical perspective. Hardmans' music combines the Baroque and the fringe, delivering heartfelt melodies on top of powerful rhythmic piano. ‘Be Kind’, an audience favourite, reminded us of the tenets of humanism, whereas ‘Unicycle to Space’ took us into an altogether different dimension.
Rachael Jean Harris closed the show. She was joined by her partner, Jamie Brewster, on bass. Akin to the former, RJH demonstrated her incredible ability to fuse jazz, alternative, and ambience with touching stories of people scattered across the globe. Her words flutter and spark around the richness of character, describing the trials and tribulations of people who do not have the same liberties as us.
The show closed with a feeling of comfort, closeness, and flair. All the artists were different in their own fashion, but they all shared a sense of being able to sketch the world through their art. A superb show and a superb night.
Words and Photos: Lewis McWilliam Smith
Links:
Dorothy Bird Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dorothybirdmusic
Rachael Jean-Harris Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachael.j.harris.792