Wednesday 27th July 05 - Emma Rugg Oceans/Depart EP Launch at the Lamp contd By Michelle Dee Photos By Roland Standaert

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Photograph Gallery   Emma Rugg Gallery 1,    Gallery 2,

The credits on her new EP clearly display business acumen that belies her tender age. Choosing to work with eminent names both home and abroad. John Beland produced some of the material on the new disc and has worked with Johnny Cash and Linda Ronstadt among other luminaries in the USA. Touching on the business side, many female artists today use obvious methods to sell themselves to the public by means of all kinds of cheap gimmicks. All sleaze and no substance seems to be their approach where as Ms. Rugg lets her talent do the talking.

Preferring an honest and pure approach with a commendable disciplined work ethic rather than selling out to the highest bidder. Pale and interesting; the flaxen haired singer charms her way into your heart with ease using the power and quality of her songs and flowing guitar technique to convince.

Tonight Emma proves that she has grown in stature and turns more than a few pleasantly surprised heads. Delivering well constructed thought provoking songs, displaying a penchant for abrupt endings that almost catch the adoring crowd unawares. A semicircle of people move ever closer to the singer jostling for position with photographers eagerly snapping away as Emma looks on undaunted; the true professional.

Roland Standaert who kindly let me use his photos for this piece explained how he had first seen Emma busking on Penny Arcade three years ago. It's strange because I too first heard her in that self same place. I didn't know her name back then, just that she was a musician casting her tunes out for an approving mind and a generous gesture. Now she stands before an audience especially for her wishing every success and congratulating her on the release of Oceans/Depart.

I wonder now to all those worldwide who would dearly love to witness this warm candle lit corner, a haven sheltering lost souls. Just as with that moment all those years ago that was never lost, I hope tonight's memories last just as strongly.

As I gaze into waning candlelight Emma sings, Look no further than this. She returns to an untainted, honest feel with a supportive message. That message being; as long as we still have those who love and care for us in these darker days, nothing else matters. Honest sentiments sang with genuine passion: a platform for the juxtaposition of sharper edged chords and the soaring echoic vocal power. The timing is crucial with this style and she utilises chord breaks and vocal pauses to good effect. Towards the end of the set, after one of the refrains in the random song clung to the air, the pause was so enticing, as to bring forth an intensity not experienced since SideWinder's acoustic outing in May.

The bursts of applause following each song had been steadily growing throughout the night so much so that before her last number Emma's heartfelt words of appreciation were almost drowned out by the enthusiastic crowd. She is presented with a richly deserved bouquet. Then a toast is drunk to her continuing success, a little overcome she invites the audience to participate in the last song. Emma somewhat ceremoniously takes of her heels and lays her guitar to rest, then sings beautifully accapella style with the audience keeping the time with handclaps. After the show Emma diligently spends the next half hour talking to fans and signing copies of Oceans/Depart. The five-track EP is on sale now for five pounds through InDreams Records and all good record stores. www.emmarugg.com www.indreamsrecords.com

Check the thisisUll.com Gallery Photographs courtesy and Copyright ©  Roland Standaert 2005

Photograph Gallery   Emma Rugg Gallery 1,    Gallery 2,

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