Elles Bailey – at Sound Knowedge, Marlborough

by Ben Niamor

A first outing on Saturday to Sound Knowledge for Devizes favourite Elles Bailey, whose latest album dropped Friday, and this mini tour of a handful of record stores gave us a rare intimate opportunity to enjoy an artist who’s enormous growth and success has her playing a frequently different kind of larger venue, than the small venues I first saw her in some years ago now…

Indeed she had played Cropredy the day before, and Glastonbury earlier this year..! I will be honest here, I am a fan.. have been for years. She has always surrounded herself with the most amazing musicians and today was no exception, Joe Wilkins and Demi Marriner, both close friends of hers and co writers and conspirators in the new album, and it showed, the happy ease with which they delivered the meaningful verses of a selection of fine songs from the new album, a real treat.

I already loved 1972, a stand out song partly I confess owing to my having watched the video many times.. that was shot in and around Devizes by some other incredible musicians and creatives, many of us are more than familiar with… the gorgeous humans over at Growvision.. aka Robin and Greta of Beaux Gris Gris fame. It’s a fantastic video even if you weren’t a D Town native like me.

The song is about a time without mobile phones, and all the trappings of life we think we can’t survive without though most of civilisations history has done…

Another favourite for me, as Elles does open retrospective and human warmth and truth better than most… Leave the light on – An open love letter to her husband . An open hearted reflection on how she can live her dreams, and if as the inspiration for this song dictates she arrives home late, her home will provide all the welcome and support imaginable, literally a light left on, like a home fire burning.

There’s a theme in Elles entire being, certainly all my interactions with her, a real appreciation and gratitude for all life’s opportunities, the love and support of everyone.. the record buyer and fan, of her amazing team and family.. the whole journey.

Perhaps that’s a marker, a lesson for many less wholesome people in todays music industry..? Be real and treat everyone with love and appreciation and karma will underpin your own growth..? Certainly seems to have worked here.

Anyhow, I digress… the album was gonna be called Silhouette Under a Sunset, originally… Silhouette in a Sunset – a great new song about souls who you feel have known each other before we have met in this lifetime… such is the immediate warmth or common ground.

Turn off the news – talks of being grateful for being able to lose ourselves in books, records, etc… a guilt of being able to escape the world at are worst.. summarised in being able to turn off the e-news, which of course sometimes many find they cannot.

Another truthful reflection on life.. Truth ain’t gonna save us – When you have to call the end of a relationship… the truth and conflicts of life’s harder moments.. written with Matt Owens beloved of SK of course in his own right..

Of course all this very real subject matter is wrapped in such gorgeous music, and lighter moments that it connects you with the truth and reflection that makes much of Elles music resonate so strongly with us the listener.

I talked to some new listeners exposed by this local opportunity and hardcore fans alike in the throng, and many with shirts declaring admiration for Elles and other contemporaries… We are fortunate locally we have the incredible Sound Knowledge, and many great venues… we are considered very well in this area for the love and support of it all.

To quote something Elles shared.. “ “There’s no destination.. only dreams to realise” Of course store appearance limited coloured vinyl and deluxe albums were flying out the door.. check out the album and catch Elles on tour, join the ride. Thankyou once again to Elles and Sound Knowledge for all they do.

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