Julia Deans – We Light Fire
(Independent)
Reviewed by Emily Lipsys.
New Zealand rock goddess, Julia Deans has just released her second solo musical offering, (since Modern Fables in 2010). With seven years in the making, it has all been worth the wait.
Right from the first track you are drawn into the warmth of Deans distinctive voice, and are then taken on a journey throughout the album on subjects we can all relate to. As a whole the album feels hopeful, intimate and real, touching on topics such as: what it means to be human, that the trials and joys we face are all part of life, and that it is alright to reach out and to show our vulnerable sides. Another element found in these songs, is that we are all connected and that the people that come and go in our lives are there for a reason, and help to shape who we become.
The title track we light fire coujures up memories of sitting around the camp fire, under star lit night, in that vulnerable state of opening up, and realising that we are all just the same, and that we all need each others light/fire.
“We light fire for the tears in our eyes, we light fire waiting for the sunrise, we don’t know that its always going to feel this way… but we’re here today, with our hearts aflame.”
Some tracks have a slight country feel to them, and others use synths/electronic elements to add to ambiance and beauty to the soundscape. There is a rock undertone that comes out throughout the album too. Deans also uses her voice like another instrument layering up her hypnotic, flowing vocals to add depth, which can be heard on tracks All of the above, and Centre.
This album was recorded mostly at Deans’ home with the help of her partner and co-producer David Wernham. And while she played most of the instruments, Julia Deans also invited a hand full of her musical friends to join in. These include: Nick Gaffaney (Cairo Knife Fight), Steve Bremner (The Adults), Richie Pickard (Nadia Reid), Mareea Patterson (Veruca Salt), Anna Coddington, Annie Crummer, Tama Waipara, Sean Donnelly (aka SJD), Tom Broome, Louis Baker and Anika Moa.
We light fire – written by an amazing artist and song writer, is a beautiful musical journey to get lost in as we move into the colder, more reflective months here in New Zealand.
This content is a part of our NZ Music Month coverage, celebrating old, new and upcoming Kiwi artists. For more information on NZ Music Month you can visit their website.
