Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
A certain combined wisdom can come together when like-minded people are in sync, inspiration can strike and the effect is not only tangible but far-reaching.
For The Hazel Empire, inspiration and wisdom go hand in hand with musical enjoyment and like all flourishing Empires, the seeds of knowledge cast their net wide and more people find themselves drawn to the apparent mysticism contained within.
The threesome that make up The Hazel Empire, Grace Hartrey, Jorunn Sundett and Nadia Bounasser were joined by percussion duo Amanda Scheibert and Jonathon White and as new empires grow and entice, so does the seeds of the Hazel, they take form and give a hope that certain aspects of life will always remain true.
Charm can be effortless in the right quarters, it can give cause to smile at whatever artistic pursuit is being chased, it can add greatly to the enjoyment of a set driven by endeavour and talent and in The Hazel Empire’s evening at Studio 2, that charm was energetic, fulfilling and overwhelming. It tore through the set with adeptness and added to the generous nature of the sound provided by the band.
Tracks such as What Am I To Do With You?, Street Lights, the outstanding and truly fantastic Gekko, a well performed cover of the old English Folk song Geordie and the excellent set closer, Colours truly captured the emotion that Grace Hartrey, Jorunn Sundett and Nadia Bounasser set out to frame. To play within a way that played with the physical. Nadia Bounasser, already having thrilled the Studio 2 crowd with her set, provided yet more substance in her ethereal voice and added to the earthy nature of both Grace Hartney and Jorunn Sundett’s vocals and guitar based structure.
The energy that hangs in the air inside Studio 2 is potent, the old thought of a building carrying the energy of past deeds having the resonating feeling that dances round the candle light on each table, it is an energy that was fully explored by The Hazel Empire and one that was fully appreciated by all.
Ian D. Hall