Julie Collings
Flotsam
© 2006 Julie Collings (823566045229)
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A disctinctive & Enchanting performer.
tracks
- 1 All Else
- 2 Lose Yourself
- 3 Side Eye
- 4 Flotsam
- 5 The Last Post
- 6 Don't
- 7 Simple Things
- 8 Something you never meant
- 9 Tread Carefully
- 10 Settle Down
- 11 Follow You
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Stunning new album ‘Flotsam’ Now available!
Reviews
Robin Denselow
Friday November 30, 2007
The Guardian
Julie Collings is a DIY celebrity in the making. She is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter from Derby who was not only responsible for all the "instruments, voices and noises" on this impressively laid-back and thoughtful new set, but also recorded and produced it herself in her spare room. Her singing is light, breathy and personal, and she backs herself on a variety of instruments, dominated by acoustic guitar and a gentle wash of electronica. There's not a vast range in her work - most of the tracks are sad-edged and slow - but she is a confident and distinctive song-writer, as shown by the personal and reflective The Last Post, the drifting electronica of Don't, the easy pop charm of Simple Things, or the more gently gutsy, guitar-backed title track. It's a remarkable effort, considering the technical problems she must have faced, and she will now hopefully move out of that spare room to find more varied backing for her songs. A dash of fiddle, accordion or cello could work wonders
http://www.rock-n-reel.co.uk/
"JULIE COLLINGS, a Derby-based singer-songwriter debuts with Flotsam, a gently beguiling collection of eleven originals where her atmospheric vocals, tumbling guitar lines and occasional effects push things in the direction of acoustic acid folk. Sporadically it does float off into the ether in its dreamy ambience but her stylish delivery manages to prevent disaster."
BBC Radio 2 show (DEC 2005) Janice Long [Simple Things] " I think its lovely!"
BBC Radio Derby, Shane O' Connor September 2005 "Makes you sit up & pay attention..Absolutely fantastic!...Just blown me away!.....Breathtaking!.......Light's up a room"
Gig Review from Margi @ The Vic, Derby *supporting BC Camplight 6th March 2006
"First artist on was a lady called Julie Collings, whose dulcet tones immediately grabbed my attention. If I had to compare her voice to someone famous would say possibly a bit of Sarah McLachlan / Sheryl Crow. She has a beautiful voice indeed, teamed with really well written songs that makes you think and boy can she play that guitar!! Julie was like a breath of fresh air and really set a high standard for the rest of the night."
from Rambles Cultural Arts Magazine 2nd April 2005 by Jo Overfield
"This is acoustic music at its most effective, with songs so exquisite they find a place inside your head to fit perfectly. Julie Collings is a Derby-based singer-songwriter combining her vocal talents along with her writing and her guitar abilities. Here is a musician who relies on the strength of her gentle vocals and the incredible way she plays her guitar. There is a classical and folk influence here both instrumentally and vocally. The second track, "Tread Carefully," has the definite potential as a pop song but, given its raw acoustic resonance, it refuses to be categorised so easily. Simply fantastic guitar on the opening "Simple Things," Julie's vocals sound nothing short of beautiful. A singer with one of those voices that you can lose yourself in, getting carried away on the strength of the song. The EP ends with a tune called "Flotsam," a song with a sadness that Julie sings with sincerity. Together with her voice and the music, these songs cradle you as you listen. It may sound pretentious but they really are enchanting to hear. Julie's natural acoustic recording with the honesty of her voice and playing creates a serenity that is rare in most musicians around today."
From OVERPLAY.com
On paper it looks like Derby singer/songwriter Julie Collings is in a very lonely place. Fragile acoustic strumming, wistful lyrics and a beautifully forlorn vocal should equal frosty isolation. But just when you re about to put your bed socks on, microwave a Vesta curry for one and get stuck into that Bridget Jones box set, the ostensibly lonesome sound weaves a warm enchanting spell and solitude becomes solidarity as you ve realise we ve all been there at some point. "Simple Things," the first of four tracks here, is a brisk, bluesy strumalong that speaks of being attracted to people who are basically bad news. "Every time I look, you re more inviting," sings Julie in a voice that has the porcelain vowels and honest eloquence of Edie Brickell or Jodi Mitchell. The vocal, the pristine production and the understated poppiness all conspire to conjure up conflicting passions at play - suggesting that, even though they left you waiting outside the Odeon for over an hour last week, you can t wait for them to call again. "Tread Carefully" is a more fragile affair as a simple guitar refrain spools out under a subdued vocal. "There s pieces of me I m still looking for" may be a tired and emotional sentiment, but it s perfectly rendered. "The Last Post" ups the ante with an even more acute downbeat charm. The pain of seeing "you there, sat where we used to. Your hand in someone else s," is delivered with the frankness and poignancy of Johnny Cash s stately American Recordings albums. Although you re never sure if she s seen her ex and his new bit of stuff as the result of an accidental meeting or several weeks of dedicated stalking. The final "Flotsam" typifies the over-riding mood of these songs. It talks of us all being isolated in our failure to connect with other people; but the swaying sound and Siren vocal convince you to stop worrying, relax and enjoy it. A bit like the moment when you overcome your nerves and decide to stretch out on one of those big mattresses in the middle of a DFS showroom. Melancholy but never maudlin, it s spellbinding stuff. And considering the success of Stephen Fretwell, Damien Rice and singing squaddie James Blunt, there are plenty of people of people who would eat this stuff up. So let the healing start.
Overplay.com
by Generous Palmstroke @ London's Lyrical Lounge May 27th 2005
Julie Collings was the second performer to take to the stage on that warm and balmy night that was May 27th at the Barge, and she did not disappoint. Julie is a songwriter, as well as a performer, and a lot of her songs stem from personal experience. She describes her songwriting process as “combining simple and evocative melodies with intriguing lyrics”, which calls to mind other prominent female songwriters, such as Tracy Chapman and Sarah McLachlan, whose work brims with passion, honesty and palpable conviction about the immediacy of their experience. Julie’s voice is gentle; it doesn’t confront the audience, it caresses and lulls it into acquiescence. It is subdued, but sometimes a whisper has more power than a shout, and this seems to be the case here. My favourite Julie song of the evening was a cover of The Police’s “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”. As she started her personalised rendition of the 1981 classic, she seemed to transform it into an ode to relationship dilemmas, indecisions and lack of initiative: “I resolve to call her up a thousand times a day/And ask her if she'll marry me in some old fashioned way/But my silent fears have gripped me/Long before I reach the phone/Long before my tongue has tripped me/Must I always be alone?”You can receive regular news and information about upcoming performances by the acoustic singer at her website, www.juliecollings.co.uk . Some of Julie’s music is also available for online listening, and the singles “Tread Carefully”, “Lose Yourself” and “Simple Things” are available on CD for fans. The website also contains photographs of the artist and has a section dedicated to future projects and musical collaborations coming our way.
"This girl could be dangerous" Mark James, Derby Evening Telegraph
reviews
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Draws you in and holds your rapt attention to the end . . .
author: Katherine CullmanListening to "Flotsam," wow! what a beauty. I am immediately pulled in and have no trouble just letting go. This vocalist commands you to listen, and in fact, I could listen to her voice all day long. If the rest of her CD is this good, I'll be buying this ASAP. Katherine Cullman