Kristy Gallacher wows with songs of love, loss and defiance
Nov 23 2009
By Emma Ray
I WAS left with one burning question as I filed out of this show with a warm afterglow of appreciation – why on earth doesn’t Kristy Gallacher have a record deal yet?
In every other poser you can think of, Gallacher answers with panache.
Original material? Check. Accomplished musician? Check. Engaging on-stage personality? Check.
Gallacher really is the real deal, and in the intimate setting of Warwick Arts Centre’s studio theatre, she holds the audience in the palm of her hand.
Backed by a band of drummer, bass guitarist, and, for portions of the night, a violinist, the singer-songwriter belts out number after number with a confidence that belies her tender 23 years, but says everything about the time she’s put in on the gigging circuit.
A graduate of musical composition at Coventry University, and proud to be a Cov kid, she’s built a reputation based on real talent that has been nurtured where it matters – in the pubs and clubs of the city and beyond.
Key to her ability to wow her audience is three-fold – she’s got one hell of a voice, her songs are top drawer, and she knows how to connect.
The influences of female artists like Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin, and Sheryl Crow, are there to see but it would be unfair to judge her in their company.
Not because she wouldn’t stand up to the comparison, but because she’s her own woman, and deserves to make a name for herself on a wider scale.
Mixing vulnerability with defiance, she sings of love and loss, of heartbreak, and the process of picking yourself up and going on.
There’s a tenderness underscored with strength that makes her voice rich, soulful, and plaintive.
And the power of that voice – the big range and big notes – belie her tiny frame, taking us on emotional journeys with wit, passion, and ingenuity.
Whether playing electric or acoustic guitar, she’s clearly a master of the axe, finger-picking her way to gorgeous melodies.
Showcasing some new songs along with older material, this Cov kid is at the top of her game – and deserves to be at the top of a record company’s ‘must-sign’ list for 2010.
qTo find out more about Kristy Gallacher, and to watch some of her performances, go to www.kristygallacher.com
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