It’s always incredible when you first hear an artist or song that makes you take a step back. Surprise, shock, awe – something new and fresh that was totally unexpected. A style that is so unique you simply can’t tear your eyes or ears away. This was my exact experience when witnessing Sophie Jamieson perform live just a few weeks ago. I’d gone to see Marika Hackman headline Night & Day café in Manchester, and the talent and power of both these ladies was immediately obvious, enthralling a large crowd simply by standing alone with a guitar – totally inspiring. Jamieson comes across as an unbelievably passionate, yet shy, performer. She is barely audible when speaking between songs, despite the room being reasonably quiet and attentive, but when she comes to the climax of a song it’s as though she couldn’t possibly be contained.
Sophie Jamieson’s music is like Marika Hackman’s slightly mysterious cousin: its expression is unreadable, but there’s a magical glint behind the eyes. Bursting full of interesting intonation and phrasing, Jamieson’s lyrics are often impossible to understand, though this only serves to make her creations more compelling. This is particularly true on ‘Stain’ – a beautiful single Jamieson released last year on Luv Luv Luv Records – not that it makes any difference in the song’s impact. Detached and whispered words in her wonderfully full and warm tone soak through your ears into every fibre of your being. ‘Stain’ is the musical equivalent of being gently held and rocked into an ultimate state of bliss. Encompassing beautiful chord progressions and perfectly crafted moments of haunting silence or drifting echo, every moment is honestly spectacular.
Sophie Jamieson is not your average singer-songwriter or girl with guitar, there’s something really special about her, and I can’t wait to see what she’ll come up with next. Luckily for us, there’s plenty of music already on her Soundcloud to delve our ears into. Her music takes time and commitment, what important music deserves. There’s a sense that you have to make the effort to fully grasp what Jamieson wants to convey in each of her songs – a wade through a thick, yet sweet smelling, swamp rather than a simple walk in the park.
Elli Brazzill
@littlelionelli
Elli Brazzill
Latest posts by Elli Brazzill (see all)
- LIVE: Broken Hands – Gullivers, Manchester 27.04.16 - April 30, 2016
- LIVE: Kygo – Manchester Academy 1 21.04.16 - April 24, 2016
- Discovery Of The Week: Lena Laki - April 7, 2016
