Birmingham talents unite to support Jo Hamilton’s debut album launch
The Glee Club hosted the launch of Jo Hamilton’s debut album, Gown, last night on April 20th. Simultaneously streamed around the world via Birmingham’s internet station, Rhubarb Radio, a diverse audience sat down to enjoy a diverse set that included tracks from the album, alongside featured special guest artists such as Soweto Kinch, Frank Moon and Joelle Barker.
The audience were greeted on arrival with a glass champagne containing hibiscus flowers, a natural phenomenon which Jo makes reference to on the album, its beautiful petals only flowering for one day before dying. This album launch was similar. For one night only, the Glee Club was transformed into a beautiful, green, visually lush landscape on which Jo Hamilton and band, including Tom Livemore, Mike Hurley, Chaz West, Ralph Cook and Matt Tovey showcased tracks from the forthcoming album, Gown. Leighton Hargreaves and Soweto Kinch both added some great subtle additions to the already awesome ensemble; Leighton brought along an appelation dulcimer whilst Kinch added a sensitive interpretation of the song Paradise on sax.
The Gown album launch took a holistic approach to showcasing the songs, with Blendstate VJ extraordinaire Liam D’Authreau providing the visuals, which were themselves a work of art, adding atmosphere and expressive detail to the beautifully crafted soundscape that they accompanied. Lighting was provided by Chloe Roberts, and as she textualised the songs through colour, providing tones epitimising the moods and dramatic build up of the songs, it was difficult to believe she was only 18 years old! The visuals and lighting combined with the cascading ivy adorning everything from the Glee Club entrance to the stage itself added to the feeling of entering Jo’s world, with every detail considered. D’Authreau provided a panoramic visual paradise with the use of time elapse footage of plants growing, lush green colours representing the theme of the springtime hope that runs throughout the entire album. Rich oranges and more unusual clips of scenic Thai backgrounds and even some black and white oriental dance footage followed, enhancing the richness of the more erruptive, rockier tracks. I have seen some great VJs over the years; this showcased some of the best work I have ever witnessed, Liam D’Authreau’s eye for detail and understanding of the ebbs and flows of such layered music really coming into its own. Having only seen his visual interpretations of Drum ‘n’ Bass, Dubstep and generaly dance-orientated sets in the past, it was wonderful to see him doing something more challenging to a sit down audience.
The audience included family, friends, fans and ‘players/movers/shakers/shapers’ from the various musical and cultural scenes from in and around Birmingham. Those who were already aware of what Jo was about seemed to have a certain sense of pride, as though they had been privy to one of Birmingham’s best kept secrets for some time. Those coming in to the gig knowing very little about Jo, or those who thought she was all about folk were no doubt pleasantly surprised at her range. Her vocal range alone is one reason to take note of this prolific artist; another is the surprising way that her music ebbs and flows through hot and cold, stark and rich arrangements. Her multi-instrumentalist approach, which she firstly tackles on her mac computer, translates well live, as does the detail with which her band executes some of the subtle sound effects and melody ranges. Big up all involved! Birmingham should be proud of all the talent showcased here tonight; Jo Hamilton and the entire team are working hard to add some craftsmanship to a somewhat throwaway culture. Just like the tragic but beautiful hibiscus flowers, all that remains now are the memories and photos of a very special gig, that for one night only, transported those who were there to a magical place. Nothing lasts forever, but if there is any justice, Gown might eventually earn the status of a classic and timeless album, and unlike the hibiscus flower will not fade away as quickly as it flourished.
Image of Jo Hamilton by Dan Burwood. Subsequent pictures of Jo Hamilton & Soweto Kinch, and Joelle Barker and Frank Moon, by Kate Beatty.