The first time I saw Emma-Lee Moss live it was at her first ever headline show (Old Blue Last, November 2006). Noah and the Whale were her backing band, chocolate cake and Victoria sponge was dispensed at the door and she was obviously suffering from a slight case of nerves. Nonetheless, despite the slight shakiness in her voice she came across very well, the fragility even adding an extra dimension to the likes of the Secret Circus- it was clear that she had the talent to go far. Two years on, and the free cake was not so forthcoming. But she’s grown in confidence and her roster of songs has bulked up considerably too. Performing five tracks from her soon-to-be-released-after-two-and-a-half-years-of-fannying-about debut album “First Love,” it’s interesting to note that her new material is less obviously “anti-folk” than before- perhaps that particular ship has sailed? In any case, it hasn’t diminished the quality of her writing- indeed, the new single “We Almost Had A Baby” rivals The Secret Circus as my favourite Emmy song, even if it sounds more Camera Obscura than anything she’s done before. She also delivered a twee take on the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind?” which against all odds works really well, especially with her new-and-improved backing band. To be honest, I’d forgotten about her until recently, what with her peers Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale eclipsing her success-wise, but on the strength of this performance I have no doubt she’ll seize back the initiative once that debut’s finally out.(Photo: Anika)
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