Hafdís Huld @ Brel 18/6/09

For someone used to chart hits Brel seems a slightly odd choice of venue, but this is where former winner of best Icelandic pop album Hafdís Huld finds herself. Half her lifetime ago Hafdís had been part of GusGus, one of Iceland’s biggest ‘90’s bands, along with notable member Emilíana Torrini (who can be seen at Òran Mór next week), now she is on the verge of releasing her second solo effort. Still despite Iceland hosting less than half of the population of Glasgow it must be a bizarrely quaint venue for a home country pop star on her third visit to the city.

Support comes from local favourite Jo Mango who graces us with a splendid set of sweet acoustic gems perfectly, and more chat than you would know what to do with. Jo informs the crowd of her attendance of speech therapy for talking too much learning she was in the top two percentile for talkativeness in the country, and more than backed this up with stories of exploding fish, baking disasters and murmuration.

When Hafdís takes the stage there is an odd feeling that this just might not work. A fully seated audience in a daylight filled venue does not seem the ideal setting for a chirpy blond and a sown pink hippo in a leotard. This sentiment continues throughout her first track ‘Ski Jumper’ a moderately cheesy yet delightful pop track that does not translate perfectly onto one acoustic guitar. Only guitarist Alasdair Wright joins Hafdís today, her usual three-piece band would struggle to fit onto the Brel stage. However this feeling of uncertainty is thrown out the window when Hafdís begins to talk, the singer knows how to charm a crowd coming across both endearing and funny to hilarious extremes, justifying why Phil Jupitus considers her ‘the maddest person I’ve ever interviewed’.

Introducing second track ‘Homemade Lemonade’ Hafdís jokes about the mention of Dolly Parton saying ‘if you hear from her tell me to call me, it’s been long enough’ capturing an array of giggles from her ranging audience. Her unique and charismatic stage chat would catch even the dourest person out, as she jokes about sounding like the Queen, sowing websites, elf watching and pulling out her Christina and Beyoncé dance moves. Even the hippo gets explained out of oblivion, as she tells how a lovely yet hyperactive fan presented her with it adding to the cat in a ski jumper she received on her last visit to Glasgow, simultaneously putting her sowing talents to shame.

It is not just the onstage banter that wins over the audience, as the set continues her lovingly crafted songs enhance her credit even further. Songs about silly topics which could bewilder anyone’s imagination while simultaneously dragging them into her story book world of treasure hunting in pawn shops and old folk thinking she’s a vampire. When closer, new single ‘Kongulo’ (possibly number one in Iceland by the time this review is published) about human spider Alain Robert finishes it leaves a highly satisfied crowd who keep the girl chatting way past the music has stopped. Hafdís may not be known well in this country but she has all the qualities that could see her equal her home country success abroad.

Anna Meldrum @ Brel 26/4/09

On the same night Camera Obscura perform their quite impressive new record at the Barrowlands I find myself up the West End for a quainter but equally as lovely experience. Tonight the former stables of Brel play host to the launch of Anna Meldrum’s band. Anna herself is by no means a stranger to the scene gracing many a Glasgow venue with her quirky pop and ‘jumbo fringe’ as a solo artist.

Anna is clearly excited about tonight’s events openly expressing thanks to everyone for attending on numerous occasions. Brel is packed to the brim tonight with people all of which Anna claims she knows. However, the audience are not here simply because they know her and Anna’s performance more than justifies their attendance. Her songs are eccentric yet lovely, telling tales of every day mishaps and childhood antics that could easily be related to anybody’s life. Her performance is absorbingly charming as she fidgets with her mini mouth organ while cheerily chatting away between tracks only stopping to tune her guitar, which she informs us is difficult to do while talking.

The new attraction which are the band are introduced early into the set and definitely add a new dimension to Anna’s live sound. Joe on double bass and Nick on drums do not draw the focus to much away from singer but do compliment her impeccably as she translates her acoustic songs into a full band environment.

I am informed that new recording are on there way and judging by her only previous quality-recorded track, and tonight’s closer ‘Marigolds’ this is something to look forward to. With the band seemingly a permanent feature now the future seems brighter than ever for this freckled songstress.