Review: If We Don’t Leave Now – De`May
Jasmine Burke talks to novocastrian singer-songwriter, De`May, about her debut album.
Listening to the glorious sounds of Neil Young and Bob Dylan throughout her childhood, 12-year-old Demi Mitchell thought about how she would like to pick up a guitar and make nice sounds too.
A decade later, Demi – De`May for artistic purposes – is a musician on the rise, with her newly released debut album receiving glowing reviews.
The indie-folk album, If We Don’t Leave Now, is a product of work over the past year and has gained anticipated release. It showcases original and organic sounds by the self-taught guitarist, showing a mixture of appreciation for traditional blues and 70s folk.
Recorded over the duration of a year, the album came together from De`May doing sessions every now and then when time and money allowed it. After the recording was complete De`May crowdfunded the money needed to master the tracks and have it printed and pressed.
“It was a nerve-wracking feeling starting a campaign wondering if you’ll make the target… the money that was raised definitely helped so I am very grateful for the generosity and support,” she said.
De`May’s soothing tones as well as the languid sounds of fingerpicked acoustic guitar tell stories that reflect upon times in her life. The songs express how it feels to be in your early twenties and experiencing that restlessness that it is to be stimulated, travel and be free.
“While some songs touch on the recent few years of my life with the themes of discovering where you stand in the world and what it means to love, to be loved, to live and to learn, others are just stories,” she said.
Ranging from clean, gentle sounds to more tenacious slightly warped sounds, the bluesy-folk singer delivers a fresh, quirky album that is easily enjoyed.
The album launch is Friday, May 23 at The Commons Cafe on Beaumont St, Hamilton. Tickets are available for $10 from Moshtix or at the door. There will be supporting music from James Thomson and Dan Southward along with complimentary food and wine to make for a cozy and intimate night.
Sample De`May’s tunes through her website.
