Events - Open Mic Night
SNO!zone Portal
Date 05/04/09
Time 7pm - 11pm
Review of Open Mic Night at the SNObar! Sunday 5th April 2009
Acts - Helen Penfold - Dan McGrath - Rocky Nti – Jim - Josie
This evening brought us the effortless and charming music of Helen.
In music we love being unique, incomparable and fresh. Therefore, I see critics who compare musicians to other musicians lazy, lethargic and uninspired.
I am required to say that Helen isn’t bland or forgettable – more like a lost folk singer from a generation of music that we as listeners did not spend quite enough deserved time on. Her confidence brings a smile to your face, her songs are honest and delicate – her covers are nice – but I’d prefer a more surprising offering in future. Offensive in some cases is the charm.
Contrary to my own initial opinions, Helen was quite like Dido.
Suggestion; Fleetwood Mac - landslide
Big Brother, Marmite, Cats and Dogs. They don’t really make any difference to your life. Or you love or hate them. I think you’ll pick one of the latter two options for our next performer Dan McGrath.
As he leaves the stage, the audience look around wondering where they’ve been for the last 8 and a half minutes. So does Dan.
He has a gift. It’s the lasting thought of making you wonder if what happened in the last 8 and a half minutes, did in fact actually happen. Dan is impossible to label. His style is irreverent. And in answer to your question, if you were here this evening, No, Dan was not drunk.
On stage he is quirky and his fragility is his appeal. Lyrically, he has potential. But if he could build his belief in himself his potential would demand the audience’s attention. I just do not want his fear to overpower his talent. Suggestion; Billy Joel – Piano Man
As I walked around the venue, all people would ask with a curious admiration was ‘Who’s that?’ ‘Rocky Nti’ I would tell them, followed with ‘yes, that is his real name’ and then ‘yes, he is only 18, yes he does look 14 doesn’t he?!’ There is however, a chink in this knight’s armour.
Music is not all about the music, it never has been, you need something else. Rocky came to the open mic at the Snobar just less than a year ago as a young man with a nice voice – since then he’s been gaining confidence dramatically, he’s good looking, he’s young, he’s charming, he’s been accepted into an American music college. He’s doing really well – but... I can’t find a fault in him.
Please send your suggestions to danosheamusic@yahoo.com
Suggestion: Tom McRae - Bloodless
Not just the open mic at the snobar, but open mic’s in general are short of diversity. Jim, the blues man – we welcome you.
Jim played two original tunes that were of a Chicago Town House of Blues stature. As it was Jim’s first time at the open mic, he confidently asked if he could have a go. Much like a 9 year old child would ask if they could play with a stranger’s remote control car. I obliged and gave him a voucher to get himself a beer. And it was well deserved.
Jim, it’d be great to see you play at the open mic again soon. You’re a wonderful blues guitar player.
Suggestion: Ryan Adams - New York.
When you hear the names Elvis, Britney, John, Paul, George, Ringo and Josie. You know who they are by their first names alone. Their reputations. Their individuality.
Josie is a confident performer and this week seemed to really feel comfortable on the stage, she plays to the audience and is always cheerful and she welcomes interaction so please join in audience! She played an original track this week and from what I heard, it’s Josie’s best song to date. Although her confidence is evident, if Josie really took the time over her songs when performing them and didn’t succumb to the fear, because of her love for music and performing, she has the potential to be a very good musician indeed.
Suggestion – try a Nick Cave song.
