Now I must confess, Harriet Curry was a name that I had always been aware of but until now had never had the pleasure of seeing. I had also never been to what I can only describe as something out of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, when they are sat in the cafe listening to people play. Leaf was a venue I was highly unfamiliar with. I knew it's name and it's location but that was the extent of it. Leaf and Harriet where initially one in the same. I knew who she was, I knew what she looked like and I had a pretty good idea of her voice, but it was not until I saw her up on center floor (yes floor...but I will get into that), that I realised exactly what I had been missing out on.
The infamous illusion that was Harriet Curry. Yet another, highly talented BIMM student only this girl right here...surpasses any prior figments that you may conceive about her. If you asked someone the best way to describe Harriet without, using the word talented the only other way to describe her in the truest of forms would be small yet mighty.
Leaf Cafe, has a dedicated room downstairs for certain genre specific nights that are run. The night that happened to be the one in attendance was the RnB/Soul night that I had so willingly prepared for. Walking into what is known as "The Living Room Club" I had not expected such a comfortable and cosy room. Sofas, chairs, marble tables with tea lights sat in a glass candle house. The aesthetic was beautiful, fairylights hung from the ceiling and drooped down to the perfect length alongside the wall, which made the back drop of the "stage". All in all, you couldn't have walked into this room and not felt right at home.
Doors where at 7, and then 8 o' clock rolled around. After the 2 presenters of the evening where done with exciting the audience, it was time for Harriet and her band of merry men to play. Joining Harriet on stage for the first performance of the night was Viktorija Krivickaite (Backing Vocals), Ann Migichi (Keys), Eddie Lundell (Guitar), Josh Yeoh (Bass) and Charlie Morris (Drums). The first two songs that they played were RnB covers, and there were no complaints from my RnB enthusiast sat beside me, which is high praise when it comes to this genre for him. The other half of her set was originals. Catchy lyrics, alongside a resonating meaning behind them. To add to the lyricism, the drum beats were melodic, the guitar riffs and bass were dancey and the keys were constantly soaring throughout the songs, then the cherry on top was the killer harmonies from Viktorija and Harriet. As a whole, the set was energetic with very catchy dance moves coming from Viktorija and an overwhelming lot of talent.
To follow with equal amounts of beauty and talent was Melissa Jay, who knew how to get the vibes in the crowd pumping and was another talented artist that could resonate with the audience through her songs. By no means, was there boredom during this set like you find sometimes with more than one opening act. She kept everything "chill" and relaxed whilst keeping in touch with the audience.
Then to finish off the night was headliner Jermaine Peterson, the very heart and soul to the very core. With the steal metal drum as an underlining theme in the songs, you couldn't help but dance along with him and his incredible band. He shared himself with the audience and let them in on some dark times in his life, which explained meaning behind one or two of his original songs, and he let it be known at the end of the night that he is someone you want to keep your eye out for, since he doesn't have a social media unlike the prior acts. If he had been the first act of any gig, he would have been a very tough act to follow.
There was not a single musician that shared the floor this night, that didn't deserve to be there. From every cymbal struck, to every guitar and bass strum, to every single chord that beautifully caressed the room. An incredible night, with incredible talents and a night that I would happily revisit despite the fact I don't normally gravitate towards RnB, Neo Soul.
