I sometimes wish I had special powers, dear reader, particularly one that would (with a disapproving glance) instantly disembowel anyone who constantly talks and drunkenly laughs with a mate in the middle of a gig. Particularly a gig in a small venue where you cant avoid the distraction by moving. Particularly a gig in a small venue with a whole f’king bar upstairs and an outside space on the roof. If I held these envious powers, it would admittedly become a bit slippy in the mosh.

So putting my powers wish list and my little tant aside, there was a little battle for dominance in this special homecoming gig of local lass Eva Kiss, now with full band of 5, and in a period of excited anticipation just a couple of weeks away from an EP launch.

Eva rose above the chatter and used her own special powers of spirited spiky alternative grunge to slowly subvert the audience to her will.

The gig itself was a sweet assured affair, with Eva Kiss in complete control of the stage, and after a while, the audience.

I was reminded by a charming mix of the sass and strong vocal of the likes of Patti Smith, Chrissy Hynde and the style of PJ Harvey. It’s more than fluoride they put in the water of the Calder Valley.

In terms of stage presence Eva Kiss is both power and charm. She spoke very honestly about how buzzed she was to perform back in her home town with a band for the first time, and how pleased she was for her mum to be there to see it. Likewise she honoured the quality of her seasoned band – deservedly so, they were one tight, quality band.

There was a nice honesty in the music and those magic words we all like to see at a gig – ‘authenticity’ and ‘connection’. I’m not often a fan of covers, but Eva Kiss did Sound Garden’s Black Hole Sun a whole lot of justice. Not changing the song much, but showcasing her talent much.

I am convinced Eva Kiss is on the up.

Our main act for this evening were the truly magical Nature Kids from Leeds. Musically they are what I might describe as UK alternative country, there is something of acts like Leonard Cohen, Mi Mye and Gently Tender in the style and vibe of this band. Solid and yet mischievous.

What I really admired about Nature Kids was how they were jazz in sensibilities but not jazz in sound. Each individual band member performed as if they were both band member and a thinking individual; each adding special elements to the instrument they were yielding.

The drummer hunched with intense concentration, almost like a cat staring with avid attention to a mouse making sure every beat counted, the guitarists each playing very different parts which brought a stunning melody together. A bass who seamlessly pulled the beat together.

The fantastic keys player, Shaene, was perhaps doing the work I admired most. Her work helping to bring everything to a delicious whole, even taking to a bow and saw collaboration for one song, adding some amazingly controlled almost whale sounds.

In front of house, were some assured vocals – not overstated, but solid and beautifully dependable, like fine, polished oken furniture. The vocals had harmonies added to layer a rich texture.

The overall Nature Kids sound is a jumbled mix of comfortable hole filled Jumper mixed with a new and delicious type of hummus from the wholefood delicious you love. Yeah, its beyond pure music this.

* shaky words and images by an overexcited Tiggerligger