Just after his performance with The Quiet Fire at Aelius Alternative last Saturday, singer and overall wonderful human being Colm reached out to me asking if I’d be able to help him get a line-up together for Thursday evening, for an intimate show at Little Buildings, because his mother was visiting from Ireland. The answer was yes.
We pulled together a line-up of incredible local musicians, and shared it with all those that wanted to hear it or couldn’t avoid us. When I got to Little Buildings early that evening, the first person I saw was someone that never fails to bring a smile to my face, Hels Pattison is one of those unique rays of sunshine that you simply want to be around. Hels’ partner and equally wonderful human Zac was sound checking, Sam Shields, Colm and his friend Johnny who was helping us out on the door were all there. An instant atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie filled the room, and seeing everyone together like that left me with a smile I couldn’t shake.
Sam Shields opened the evening with his beautiful story telling and incredible voice, announced a live EP soon to be released, followed by Hels and Zac who performed a bunch of new songs they’ll be recording soon, I can’t wait to hear the magic they’ll undoubtedly be creating in the studio! I then finally got to enjoy The Quiet Fire as a quartet live, after I’d seem them in stripped back and acoustic form at Mosaic Tap the weekend before. The four piece brought a combination of their own work and that of others, with my favourites being their cover of Johnny Flynn’s ‘The Water’, the Oh Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack ‘I’ll Fly Away’, and original ‘The Flood’.
From all three acts it is their unwavering passion for their craft, their incredible talent, and warm stage presence that made this another evening to remember and made me want it to last forever. As I danced through their sets and sang along to the songs I thought to myself “I’ve really never felt this at home anywhere before” and it’s a feeling I cherish, adore, and hopefully will never lose.
LLIVELY Music 