Middlesbrough’s Amelia Coburn is an exciting talent – you can tell by the speed with which she’s accrued award nominations, radio play and festival slots. The 26-year-old Teesider only released her debut album last year.
But you can tell she’s been writing songs for much longer. Her sold-out Folklore Rooms set showcases a record – Between the Moon and the Milkman, produced by Bill Ryder-Jones – that’s frothing with imagination and energy. She kicks off with its opening track, When the Tide Rolls in, all ghostly vocals, ukulele arpeggios and propulsive percussion.
Coburn has mastered the rare art of playing the uke non-annoyingly. Avoiding the usual strumming pattern (you know the one), she skilfully picks out tunes and rhythms that are complemented by her band – subtle keys and guitar, and occasionally rollicking drums, such as on the belting Sleepy Town and the beguiling shimmy of Oh Captain! Guide Me Home.
Lyrically, Coburn is fizzing with ideas. Songs take in online dating by way of film noir, the pros and cons of escaping one’s hometown, a romantic sojourn to Dublin and memories of a Parisian flatmate. A couple of new songs played solo show her range – there’s a heartfelt tribute to her grandfather, followed up by a deliciously icy kiss-off titled Wine to Your Funeral. Ouch!
Her influences take in Harry Nilsson and vaudeville-style cabaret – yet she’s a perfect fit for this website too (she plays a stick dulcimer: what folkie can resist that?). With a confident, easy stage presence, this already well-travelled performer is going to go far.
Characteristically, Folk Witness went to the penultimate gig of Amelia’s tour. Click here to see festival shows and future dates
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