Narc. Magazine Online
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Lee Fisher succumbs to the hypnotic, whirling power of a quietly enthused multi-instrumentalist at Cobalt Studios
Image by Lee Fisher
My respect for what Cobalt Studios does – as a venue, a creative space, a community and beyond – is limitless, and their weekly Fresh Thursdays are a fine example of what they’re about. A really tasty veggie meal and a couple of live acts in a warm and convivial environment for the cost of a couple of pints is a wonderful thing, and tonight’s Fresh seemed particularly welcoming, even when particularly busy. Everything was so lovely that I can’t bring myself to be too dismissive of the support act Auka: three sincere and earnest young musicians – double bass, acoustic guitar, flutes – but their ‘seventies nature programme theme tune’ folk-jazz didn’t work for me.
No such problem with Cerys Hafana, a remarkably accomplished multi-instrumentalist from Machynlleth whose recent album on Glitterbeat, Angel, is one of my favourite releases of the year. I’m always in awe of harpists anyway: a friend recently made some gag about me probably having a list of ‘my five favourite harpists’ and I had to admit I had ten. Hafana is definitely on the list, and their triple-stringed Welsh harp seems more complex than most. Hafana played as part of a trio with Amy on very sparingly used sax and Lisa on mostly gentle, jazz-inflected skittering drums (this was only their second outing as a trio), while the harp shimmered in that affecting way that only harps can do.
Sometimes Hafana’s sound recalls the kora, that high end sparkle, and at others something more earthy and resonant. There’s something about Hafana’s playing that – much like her Glitterbeat labelmate Brighde Chaimbeul – summons mists and folklore, which is fitting as Angel is largely concerned with the tale of a man lulled to sleep for 350 years by the sound of birdsong. Hafana brings out a guitar at times, and has a sweet but melancholy voice, but it’s when the harp is in full flow, like on Breton-inflected highlight An Dor, that things take flight, achieving a hypnotic, whirling power. Quiet but enthused, charming and self-effacing, Hafana – in their white linen suit (a bold move for a touring musician) – was tremendous company and a genuinely thrilling musician, and this gig was something really special.
