The show at The Chapel on October 21st was a partially seated one, the first I'd been to at the venue and almost every seat was taken by the time the opening set from Emily Neveu ended. A clamor of chatter rose from the crowd as the band swiftly broke down and removed their equipment from the stage as the headliner herself, Emily Wells began setting up. During the change over I wondered of Emily Wells would be accompanied on-stage by any other musicians or if she was playing a solo show like the last time I saw her a few years ago at Bottom of the Hill. My question was answered right before my eyes as the multi-talented, solo artist accepted minimal help getting her synthesizer, drum machine, kick drum, snare drum, symbol and loop station ready. It was quite a sight to see just how self sufficient Emily Wells really is as she strategically placed and plugged in everything. After leaving the stage then returning with her violin in hand, she was greeted with a pleasant flurry of applause from the room full of fans who knew that she was about to start.
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| Emily Wells at The Chapel 10/21/2015 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
"I am so excited to be here! Thank you so much!" she exclaimed with a big smile across her face before getting the middle of the array of musical instruments she had just set up. Standing behind stacked synthesizer equipment she the set started off softly, earnestly easing us into it with enchanting synth melodies.
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| Emily Wells at The Chapel 10/21/2015 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
Her songs tell very personal, melancholy stories that get deep and can be dark but the sad-core folk songstress makes the sadness sound pretty. Emotions painted her face as she sang and while she sent shivers through the spellbound room, she was busy recording then looping lyrics live, stepping on the pedal of the kick drum behind her, playing the drum machine and shaking a tambourine! When her hands were free from playing the tambourine, drum machine or pressing buttons on synthesizers, Emily Wells wielded what she's best known for playing, the violin.
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| Emily Wells at The Chapel 10/21/2015 photo by Nikki DeMartini |
Her unique vocals are raspy and carry a vulnerability with heavy undertones and singing with her eyes closed, it's as if she's trying not to relive the memories. Sporadic high notes of piercing pitches accentuated her ambient music while rural elements of The Chapel's interior design suited her eccentric folk aesthetic to a tee.
Emily Wells' live show is an experience you have to see to believe. Even then, it's hard to believe how good she is at delivering a solo show with so many different contributing elements.
Playing a handful of shows on little mini tour of hers, Emily Wells might be back on the road soon to play more shows in support of the 2016 release of her 9th studio album!
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