Through The Looking Glass

The Packhorse pub in Hyde Park, Leeds, was a buzz last Friday night, as HerOrangeCoat put on a showcase event: Through The Looking Glass – artists you should have your eye on. 

Three wonderful acts, each demonstrating that you don’t have to come from Nashville and be called Taylor Swift to write melancholy masterpieces. 

First up was Bethany Gibson.  Paramedic by night and singing powerhouse – also by night.  Bethany Gibson specialises in songs about relationships and they are often tinged with sadness.  There are elements of Joni Mitchell in her voice, and several tracks have the racy power of Tracy Chapman.  Songs such as ‘Spiralling’ have a cathartic quality to them, as does ‘Fever Dreams’ – a song of redemption and hope. 

Bethany Gibson finished the set with her first single ‘Lonely Girl’, once again demonstrating that self-analysis is the curse of the creative.  However, in the talented hands of a songwriter like Bethany, we all have the chance to benefit from her insights in to life.

The second act was George Martin. George powered up the Fender amp, flicked the switch on her Telecaster guitar and told the crowd “George is the name and sadness is the game”.  The tempo was generally upbeat, especially on tracks such as ‘Another Day’, which had a Red Hot Chili Peppers vibe to it.  Think ‘Californication’ style guitar mixed with lyrics laced with pathos from ‘Under The Bridge’. 

‘Supernova’ is a song about the purity of first love, with a marvellously nostalgic quality to it.  George Martin’s final song of the evening was ‘Ruined’.  An atmospheric song, with heavy staccato guitar, it perfectly captured the feeling of bitterness that can set in when a relationship fails.    

The final act of the night was HerOrangeCoat.  Event organiser and stalwart of the Leeds music scene, HerOrangeCoat set about her set with the determination of a woman needing to be heard.  There’s an urgency to her songs that belies the mellow, almost lullaby, quality to them. 

Opening song ‘The Dog is Dead’ displays HerOrangeCoat’s sultry vocals and ability to wrap words around complex musical structures – all played out on her Uke.  ‘Oh Boy’ is a fictional rather than autobiographical song, and displays a similar song writing style to Stevie Nicks.  New song ‘Observation Time’ is so radio friendly it needs to be a single, and ever popular track ‘Another Day to Hide’ is electrifying live.  HerOrangeCoat’s songs are profound and haunted with anxiety.  The many hours she spent after school hiding in the music room playing the piano and finding her musical identity have paid off.  HerOrangeCoat is on a journey, and it’s fascinating to be alongside her for the ride.         

Bethany Gibson on Instagram

George Martin on Instagram

HerOrangeCoat on Instagram