Majestically beautiful with a wise soul comes Scandinavian goddess Ane Brun. Since 2001, Brun has recorded eight hauntingly beautiful albums, a live DVD and more than a handful of duets with the likes of Ron Sexsmith and Nico Muhly. Fresh out of an extensive tour with none other than music legend Peter Gabriel, Brun has released her first single from her forthcoming fifth album It All Starts with One, featuring Brun’s dynamic mixture of a voice from a lullaby, delicate percussion and Florence & the Machine style drumming.
Friday 11th November, Ane Brun came to life at The Scala in Kings Cross - London. The venue, where Iggy Pop and Hawkwind had once performed was an ideal location for the calming performance to showcase Brun’s new album. Pulling in the likes of businessmen, gypsies, lost souls, working Mums, grandmothers, children, gym junkies and the alternate individuals of Camden - this was one crowd which was united purely by the harrowing vocals of Brun.
Seamlessly flowing from one song to the next, Brun’s crescendos take you on a romantic yet subdued emotional roller coaster ride complete with the highs and lows without you even knowing it. Entwining both old songs from her original album Spending Time with Morgan all the way through her musical career to her latest single Do You Remember, Brun captivated the audience from start to finish as if it wasn’t a job, but a natural conversation with a group of strangers and friends.
The haunting aesthetics within The Scala really completed the package of the performance, having once been a cinema, a primatarium (reconstructed to resemble a forest) and back to an important cultural meeting place for Londoners, the venue was completely packed - not bad for an individual who is relatively unknown outside of her native Scandinavia. Although scattered with individuals of all ages, there was an incredibly friendly and intimate vibe throughout the large area. Brun has a gift not only with her voice and songwriting skills, but by creating a performance which sends you into a trance making you feel as if you are the only one there, transporting you to a world far far beyond the busy streets of London.
It’s easy to see why this woman is a critically acclaimed songwriter with copious amounts of other artist queuing up to perform duets with her. Seamlessly flowing from one song to the next, her silky coos and memories of more beautiful times keeps the love of folk music alive.
Undoubtedly drawing on personal experiences through her honest and empowering lyrics, it’s clear Brun has begun experimenting far more with percussion and different rhythms compared to her previous albums.
Seeing Ane Brun live is like a magical adventure that soothes your soul and is the perfect remedy after a hard week in the office to bring in a calming aura to all those watching. Captivating me from one song to the next, Ane Brun has offered so much already and it’s clear she has more and more to offer as she continues to grow and develop not only as an artist, but as a performer also.
