Dark Music From A Warm Place. Erica Nockalls

Erica Nockalls first featured on this blog as member of The British band The Wonder Stuff, when HareD wrote about a 2016 live show of the band in The Hague. (Remember live shows?) This year I wrote about a single release preceding Dark Side From A Warm Place and now the album is among us, released by the Rotterdam based label Gentlemen Recordings.

To me, it is all new, so I can't compare to anything, except other music of course. But, let's not go that way for now, as there's more than enough to enjoy. On her third solo album, Erica Nockalls combines a few kinds of music in ways that prick my ears from the very beginning of her album.

First, as an overall vibe, I notice an eighties influence in parts of the album where the synthetic beats are concerned. The recording may sound infinitely better than the digital 48 track recordings from the 80s, a sound is a sound. Secondly, there is an estranging experience in the music as well. The quality coming with fairytales but not from "the good side". More like the bad witch hovering over the deep, dark Medieval forest. Thirdly, Nockalls adds a modern sound to the mix. She taps into an alternative rock feel as played by bands like Blood Red Shoes to mention one example. Fourthly, the rhythms provide several of the songs with an alternative form of dance music. Hints of Prince and more than a hint of Madonna ('House Of Erica') have been woven in there. Finally, the album has an electronic, dark side, to it ('Build Me A Ship'), adding to my second observation.

Over it all Erica Nockalls sings with her solid, slightly rough voice. The witch element in the mix. Her voice is not the immediately pleasing kind. Her music isn't intended for instantaneous pleasure. It certainly is there for the long term variation of musical pleasure. Dark Music From A Warm Place allows for discoveries over multiple listening sessions, not giving secrets away lightly.

Photo: Erica Nockalls

Her violin playing adds to the already mentioned atmosphere. In most songs the violin plays a lead role, giving the songs a mysterious side, adding to the uniqueness of this album. If anything I'm thinking of the one song I know by Lene Lovich, 'Lucky Number', excluding the exuberance of that song. Take 'Eiffel's Eye'. A pulsing bass and synth drive the song, while the drums are battered if not attacked, distorted guitars are all over the place. The finale is all over the place. The song is a loud centrepiece on the album. It is just one of the many musical faces Erica Nockalls shows of her self on her new album.

Based on the single, 'I Know', I had no clue what to expect for a whole album. My interest, after a very hesitating beginning, was drawn alright. Dark Music From A Warm Place delivered and more. The album is extremely varied and full of surprises. The kind of album to invest time in and discover. Fully, completely.

Wout de Natris