Awna Teixeira is best know for being a member of Po’ Girl from whom she took a break from in 2011 to release her début solo album ‘Where the Darkness Goes‘ which she self-releases on September 10th. In a strange sense of irony she wanted to pursue a solo career in 2004 after leaving country-folk band Barley Wik but met Allison Russell of Po’ Girl…eight years on and five albums later she has finally managed to revisit that pursuit with success, not that those intervening years have been unkind having toured fifteen countries and four continents!
Where the Darkness Goes opens to ‘Stand Tall‘, a stripped down upbeat banjo driven roots number about following your dreams and walking in grace. As the song nears its end the knee slaps and stomps give a celebratory ring that you can’t help but feel is in some way rejoicing this worthy milestone. Whilst not an easy decision Awna managed to self-release the album thanks to the positive response of fans and their donations through Kickstarter.
The album has gone beyond many expectations thanks to her open-minded musical approach. The musical boundaries on this album are thrown open with exploratory leaps beyond the typical confines of roots music introducing a wide remit of musical influences. She achieves this in a fresh and exhilarating way making it a ground breaking and very entertaining album. Whether she is triumphing European folk with her accordion on the Portuguese inspired ‘Minha Querida‘ or taking down the tempo with ‘Where the Darkness Goes‘. Awna has a great understanding of arrangements and is able to create a range of dynamics to convey the emotions of her songs. On ‘Faden‘ she uses simple arrangements on guitar to set a tranquil backdrop to her lyrics that will surely hush any audience, one to re-visit over and over. she brings a live and earthy feel to her music, well grounded with no excess fat post-production, big credit to sound engineer Zach Goheen (Cass McCombs and JT Nero).
There are so many moments on this album but as a whole she really has done herself proud, make sure you try and catch her live this month.
Video: Rest Your Mind
Filmed July 2012 for Canadian TV show The Seen
September Tour Dates
Netherlands
Fri 7 – WITH OH SUSANNA! Ottersum, Roepaen Podium,
Sun 9 – Grootschermer , Museum Nic Jonk ,
Mon 10 – Amsterdam, Paradiso,
Wed 12 – House concert, Nuenen,
Thu 13 – Nw.- en St. Joosland, Theater de Wegwijzer,
Fri 14 – Nieuwendijk, Xinix Rootscafé,
Sat 15 – Groningen, Take Root Festival,
Sun 16 – Hilversum, Houseconcert,
Tue 18 – Den Bosch, Blue Room Sessions
UK
Wed 19 London, The Green Note
Thu 20 Torquay, The Blue Walnut Café
Fri 21 Chorlton, nr. ManchesterHouse Concert
Sat 22 Ireby, Cumbria, The Globe Hall
Sun 23 Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire Diamond Jubilee Town Hall
Tue 25 Otley, West Yorkshire, Korks Wine Bar
Wed 26 Hempstead, nr. Saffron Walden, The Bluebell Inn
Thu 27 Bristol, St George’s, co-headline with The Carrivick Sisters
Fri 28 Porthleven, Cornwall, House Concert
Sat 29 Lewes, The Royal Oak
Sun 30 Faversham, Kent House Concert
Awna has also been trying her hand at writing children stories and has released her new book a ‘How to Guide’ for the Gutbucket Bass. Details are on her website:
www.hazytales.me