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Esther Swift (UK) w/ Adam McGrath & Jess Shanks (The Eastern)
February 12, 2018 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm NZDT
$15
Sometimes it is necessary take opportunities when they come knocking, especially when they come in the form Esther Swift
“Swift is one of the UK’s most innovative and exciting contemporary harpists. In her composition, songwriting and performance she creates a music which is profound and daringly vulnerable whilst drawing on influences which range from contemporary classical, alternative pop and the Scottish tradition”.
It has come to Blue Smoke’s attention that Esther Swift will be passing through Christchurch on Monday the 12th of February (yes that’s tomorrow), so we felt it would be remiss of us not to gather our resources and throw an impromptu, last minute and intimate, folk family gathering for her.
Adam McGrath & Jess Shanks of THE EASTERN were lucky enough to meet Esther at the Auckland Folk Festival a few weeks back and have therefor taken her under their wing. They’ll sing some songs also, by way of introduction, before handing her the stage.
Blue Smoke will be open from 7pm and the show will start 7:30pm sharp. Tickets are $15 (or whatever you can afford) on the door.
Esther Swift writes songs about her homeland of Scotland, drawing on her folk roots and taking inspiration from nature and the people she meets along the way. An eclectic blend of jazz, folk, classical and everything in between Esther will share with you her stories and musical experiences from around the world.
“What one notices immediately is how contemporary her sound is. The harp is used by Swift as less a heavenly instrument and more a bold alternative to the acoustic guitar. Swift’s voice is sultry, settling and sensuous as she sings with confidence and a wry smile…Over the sombre vocals of The Scots Pine and breathless Pinus Silvestrus, Swift takes us on a journey through the Scottish landscape that is draped in traditional stylings. There’s an organic quality to her playing as she veers dramatically from poised, fluid and precise movements to those rich, dark and sweeping bass notes.”
