And now for something completely different … Folk noir makes for a very fitting description of Cypriot born and London-based singer, Eleni Skarpari of Echo Wants Her Voice Back (or Echo for short). She brings together a mix of dark folk, blues and psychedelic sounds. Her lilting voice is Patti Smith compelling.
This is likely to be a gig for finding new sounds and checking out something a little bit different. Echo’s live show at the Camden Chapel will be sexy, sultry and a little bit dark. Performing with her full backing band it’s going to be an intimate affair.
There’s a definite hint of gothic in Echo’s songs. Her love song lyrics come with a drop of the macabre poetry of say, PJ Harvey, singing lines such as: “I told you we’d both die somehow, I sang low in the spring, tearing off the skin” send shivers up the spine (in the best possible way).
Skarpari started releasing her music independently back in 2014 and has since gone on to perform at the prestigious SXSW Festival in Austin. Her work draws on her Greek heritage, Greek mythology as well as her personal and romantic life, which blend together beautifully.
Tracks to check out: