17th September 2024 | |
7.30pm | |
The Hug and Pint 171 Great Western Road, Glasgow West End G4 9AW what3words location: shins.bonus.flat |
|
£10 + BF Find Tickets |
|
Visit the event website here | |
Everything clicks on *Safe to Run*, the fourth album from singer, songwriter and perpetual searcher Esther Rose. It’s the quiet culmination of years spent fully immersed in a developing artistry, and presents Rose’s always vividly detailed emotional scenes with new levels of clarity and control. As with previous work, her songwriting transfigures the chaos and uncertainty of a life in progress, but here she introduces a newfound pop element that attaches unshakably catchy hooks to even the darkest stretches of the journey.
After spending her formative years in Michigan, Rose relocated to New Orleans and got her start in music there while awash in the unparalleled energy of the city’s scene. Over the course of her first three records, an infatuation with traditional country gradually evolved into a more distinctive style and increasingly personal material. Rose’s music traced her changes as she moved through stages, studios, and home addresses, and she eventually left NOLA for New Mexico where the two year writing process for *Safe to Run *unfolded. Making the transition to this new environment after spending the better part of a decade building a life somewhere else demanded looking around and taking stock. All the heaviness, sweetness, levity, and self-discovery that had led up to that point began funneling into new songs that moved slower in order to dig deeper, taking on the intricate hues of a desert horizon as they came together.
Making the leap from the comfortable to the unknown defines every aspect of *Safe to Run*. Since she started writing songs, Rose has self-imposed some strategic challenges in order to keep things interesting. A longstanding rule to never recycle chord progressions remained in place, as did a newer intention of avoiding the temptation to write another heartbreak song. Applying limitations like these allowed the album’s expressive range to become more nuanced. Rose takes an unblinking look at her own vulnerabilities as well as more universal concerns, somehow never taking herself too seriously in the process. This manifests as a critique of the insidious sexism of the music industry on “Dream Girl,” but quickly melts into a hazy memoryscape of the dive bar drama and suspended hovering of her early 20s on “Chet Baker.” The song “Safe to Run” (a gorgeous duet with Hurray for the Riff Raff’s Alynda Segarra) directly merges the personal with the global, superimposing feelings of spiritual displacement onto the larger, looming dread of climate grief. Rose breathes in the ecstasy of the natural world in one line and makes fun of herself a few bars later. There are ghosts in the room for most of her songs, but she’s invited them in and is cracking jokes with them over a drink or two.
The album’s production takes another giant step forward, again motivated by a drive to go somewhere new. Lyle Werner, a constant presence on Esther’s albums, again adds his rust-colored fiddle to “St. Francis Waltz” and the gentle country sway of “Spider” also offers faint echoes of the twangy glow of earlier material, but there's new experimentation with arrangements and instrumentation. Long-time collaborator Ross Farbe went from acting as a co-producer on 2021’s *How Many Times *to a full on producer role here, adding understated synthesizers to accentuate melodic presence and atmospheric textures to cast a deeper vibe. The bridging from past to present was further embodied by the cast of players, with Rose bringing in New Orleans group Silver Synthetic as a backing band on some tunes, and working with her new Santa Fe bandmates; drummer Lonnie Leary and bassist Meredith Stoner on others. Across all of the tracks, the open-air, live-in-the-room sound she tended towards in the past was exchanged for an exploration of multitracking and overdubs. The album is a network of meticulously balanced layers that whisper secrets instead of shouting declarations. Listening closely you’ll hear nods to Elliott Smith in the close-miced vocal doubling of “Stay,” dreamy drum machine guiding the steady hop of “Levee Song,” and a Mellotron tossing even more glitter into the already sparkling pop of “Insecure.”
Ultimately all of these new advancements become twinkles of light in the background as they fold into the big picture impact of the songs themselves. With grace, subtlety, and a knowing grin, Esther Rose translates her world into eleven curious and captivating scenes. While the songs are stunning one by one, absorbing *Safe to Run *as a whole feels like witnessing something taking shape, experiencing the headspins of the elevation and the slow return to equilibrium as the clouds start clearing. It’s the sound of a singular voice reaching its purest form, finally emerging.
Find tickets with See Tickets: | Search now |
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Glasgow, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!The last incarnation of the ex-Factory band Section 25. Catch the avant-garde experimental duo at The Hug and Pint on Saturday 13th July!
READ MORESingle Mothers celebrate the 10th anniversary of modern classic 'Negative Qualities' by playing the album in full at The Hug and Pint on Sunday 14th July!
READ MOREWith songs that explore life's murky corners and shadowy characters, Ben de la Cour's music occupies the intersection between gothic Americana and dark, gritty folk.
READ MOREDon't miss young Toronto singer-songwriter Julianna Riolino live at The Hug and Pint on Thursday 29th August!
READ MORENashville based singer-songwriter Jill Andrews brings her tour to Glasgow in September with a date at The Hug and Pint on Tuesday 24th!
READ MOREBlanket plus special guests Delaire The Liar will headline The Hug and Pint on Thursday 10th October!
READ MOREMad Dog Mcrea blend a unique mixture of folk rock, pop, gypsy jazz, bluegrass and 'shake your ass' music... don't miss them live at The Hug and Pint on Friday 18th October!
READ MORELeeds-based alternative/indie quartet Adult Jazz have announced a headline show at The Hug and Pint on Monday 21st October!
READ MOREBritish husband and wife duo, When Rivers Meet, burst onto the UK Blues scene in 2019 and since then have been going from strength to strength, catch them live at The Hug and Pint on October 26th!
READ MORELauded by many as one of Britain's finest live bands in the late 90s and early 00s, Billy Mahonie are back on tour, don't miss them at The Hug and Pint on Friday 8th November!
READ MORESpizzenergi bring the first farewell tour to The Hug and Pint on Saturday 16th November!
READ MORELost Romantic have announced a headline UK tour for November which will see them play The Hug and Pint on Wednesday 20th!
READ MOREGetdown Services are a two piece from Bristol that provide a sweat soaked, tub thumping, groove infused experience... don't miss them live at The Hug and Pint on Sunday 24th November!
READ MOREDon't miss a double bill featuring Lydia Luce and Andrea Von Kampen live at The Hug and Pint on Sunday 1st December!
READ MORENorth Carolina's country-punk outfit Sarah Shook & The Disarmers will play a headline show at The Hug and Pint on Monday 14th April!
READ MORELooking for a solid night of rock and soul classics? Don't miss Eagles tribute Hotel Caledonia live at The Ferry!
READ MORESloans Famous Friday Ceilidh is back and it's bigger and better than ever... it's a must for everyone visiting Glasgow and any true weegie!
READ MOREWith his uncanny attention to detail be prepared to let Alan Walker 'Entertain You' with his fantastic tribute to Robbie Williams & George Michael!
READ MOREJim Smart's tribute to Freddie Mercury is one of the most energetic and fun tribute shows available in Scotland today, don't miss it at The Ferry!
READ MOREEnjoy live music on Saturday nights at Arta... entry to the venue is free before 11pm so why not book a table in the main bar and put the entry fee towards a cocktail!
READ MOREJames Frew is Simply Rod... performing all the hits in immaculate fashion and in the inimitable style of the man himself!
READ MOREJoin Gerry Lyons at Nice N Sleazy on Mondays for 'longest running open mic in the history of the universe'!
READ MORECome and sing your hearts away, with the best karaoke Glasgow has to offer at Nice N Sleazy's on Monday nights!
READ MOREBrought to you by Falasgair their resident Trad band, come along to Nice N Sleazy every Thursday for knee slapping traditional Scottish music!
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"