Emily Fairlight – Golden Dawn December 9, 2017

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With an album recorded in Austin, Texas and just about ready for release, Wellington-based singer/songwriter Emily Fairlight presented a few of those songs to a small, but appreciative crowd at Auckland’s Golden Dawn.

Supporting Emily was The Miltones, or rather, two of the five Miltones…vocalist Milly Tabak and guitarist Liam Pratt…returning the favour, as Emily had opened for them earlier this year in Wellington.

With a band that included Datsuns’ drummer Ben Cole and Fur Patrol bassist Andrew Bain, Emily began her set with Sinking Ship, the B-side of her most recent single and one of her songs recorded this past May in Austin.

The first thing that strikes you when hearing Emily is that unique voice and its distinctive, trembling vibrato. Despite its uniqueness, there is an immediate urge to try and find someone to compare it to. I came up with a mix of Natalie Merchant, Melanie and Mary Hopkin.

Miltones guitarist Liam Pratt joined in for a few songs, including the intense, The Bed and the A-side of her single, Time’s Unfaithful Wife.

Then, Emily held things down on her own with It’s You, then the band joined in for Breathe Baby Breathe and Water Water, which had folks singing along.

By the time her brief set came to a close, it was obvious that Emily Fairlight is a talent to keep an eye on. I’m guessing that her new album will be one of 2018’s local highlights.

Marty Duda

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Chris Zwaagdyk:

Emily Fairlight set list:

  1. Sinking Ship
  2. Every Doomed Wife
  3. Drag The Night In
  4. With The Water
  5. The Desert
  6. The Escape
  7. Time’s Unfaithful Wife
  8. The Bed
  9. It’s You
  10. Breathe Baby Breathe
  11. Water Water
  12. Lazer Pussy
  13. Loneliest Race
Marty Duda
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