Sat 22 June
words: JESS RAYNER
As a folk artist, Wigan-born Nancy Elizabeth continues to go from strength to strength, having toured in remote and landmark venues in every corner of the globe. The release of her third and most accomplished album, Dancing, is a sign of her ever-growing potential as an artist, taking her folk roots and moving into the realms of the alternative folk scene. The album still very much resonates with Nancy’s haunting vocals and distinctive folk sound, recorded in her Manchester flat with the help of her faulty piano. Dancing is a step in the direction of a new sensibility, one already compared to the likes of PJ Harvey: for the first time here, Nancy uses computers to lay down layers of vocals, giving each song a choir-esque, unearthly feel.
Later this month, Nancy is set to play at Cardiff’s Porters: a venue away from the drunken frolics of Greyfriars and one of the city’s hidden gems. Hosted by local label Shape Records, the gig will be a showcase of Nancy’s impressive musicianship, her vocals offset by a full band. As for the support acts, Katie English – known by the stage name Isnaj Dui – will be added to the bill. English has released several critically acclaimed albums, writing what she describes as “neo-impressionistic music” using flute and electronics. The eerie, experimental sounds of Isnaj Dui will definitely set the tone for a night that promises something different, providing a stage for folk music that pushes the genre’s boundaries.
Admission: £8/£6 adv. Info: info@porterscardiff.com / www.shaperecords.co.uk