Guest post from Tom Bradley (@TomBradley11)
Unlike most open-mic nights in Leeds – where people can get up and belt out anything between one and four songs – Bar Risa gives their selection of up-and-coming acoustic artists an entire hour to play whatever they like, however they like to. This seems to give the performer more time to showcase talent, which I believe can only benefit them in the future. Also, unlike most establishments in Leeds, Bar Risa was advertising “Jugs of Leprechaun Piss for £5.95.” They’ve clearly got the Paddy’s Day vibe.
While I sat and composed my notes before the first act – a young redhead by the name of Stevie Sparling – I was pleasantly surprised by the music coming from the speakers: a mixture of acoustic versions, light indie rock, and Steve Winwood’s ‘Higher Love’. It put me in the mood for some chilled tunes. Very good work, Risa.
As she takes the stage, Stevie Sparling’s bright red hair, little black top and denim short shorts lead the music she sings to be a complete curveball; beginning with Beyonce’s ‘Best Thing I Never Had’. I did not see that coming. Nevertheless, it is performed faultlessly, while managing to hold her own; doing justice to the song whilst adding her own flair. The only reservation I had of the performance was the lack of live music, with Stevie singing over a backing track. But it works well; she has a very strong voice that sticks with you, with a vocal range to match.
The six-song set consists of mainstream crowd-pleasers – Rihanna’s ‘California King Bed’ and ‘You Da One’, Rebecca Ferguson’s ‘Nothing’s Real But Love’ – and Stevie carries them off with aplomb. She seemed a little nervous at points, sat on stage wringing her hands; but if she was, it didn’t show vocally.
The strongest point in the performance was definitely the carrying off of ‘Best Thing I Never Had’, most probably because it came as such a pleasant surprise from this indie-dressed girl. However, I’d think twice about Willow Smith’s ‘Whip My Hair’ next time – even though I was singing out loud myself; I’m holding you responsible, Girl Talk (5:05)! Overall, it seems Stevie is a natural performer, with a strong set that showcases her talent well.
Talking to her afterwards, the 19-year-old was quiet, and possibly a little tense, but spoke passionately of her influences; which were, again surprisingly, motown and soul. When asked as to why she shies away from performing songs of that ilk, she replied: “Nothing can compare to Etta!” A fair answer, but having sung since she was 13, and being more than capable of holding a note – or all notes, as the case may be – I think she’d make it work, or at least, give it a rework.
A local girl – from Morley, actually – Sparling attended Leeds College of Music, graduating last year. She has performed regularly on the open-mic circuit around the city, at The Wardrobe, Carpe Diem, and even the Cockpit, with a backing band. And while she is not currently recording, her YouTube Channel has a mixture of live and recorded tracks on it, available for all.
Although she was performing with a backing track, the guys down at Bar Risa are working on having a session musician there with her, which will only benefit her talent. I would be intrigued to see her again, perhaps with live music, and maybe focussing on some older classics.
Twenty minutes later, and Ricky Fleming steps up, looking like an older, wiser, less commercially sold out Marcus Collins. And he does ‘step it up’. Beginning with Smash Mouth’s ‘All Star’ – Shrek, anyone? – the young artist strums his guitar at a frantic rate, possibly due to nerves. Regardless, he’s made an impressive start to what will become a 15 song set, alternating originals with covers.
You don’t have to have the strongest voice in the world to be a singer/songwriter: what Ricky lacks for in talent is more than made up for in likeability. The original songs that he plays all sound like I’ve heard them before – which is key to a good chart song, so he’s heading in the right direction. Not to say these songs ‘fade into the unrecognisable’, but they’re catchy and have good chord patterns, as well as a mixture of strumming and picking. Every cover he does has a distinct stamp on it. Two of the main highlights in this particular ballpark are ‘The A Team’ and ‘I Need A Dollar’. They’re not exactly difficult songs, but it’s what you do with them that counts – and Ricky makes them his own.
And then, of course, there was ‘Fast Car’. The 21-year-old begins by playing the same guitar line as Chapman, but as soon as his voice comes in, it melts through the strings making a silky ditty indeed. Absolutely quality.
It can plainly be seen that Ricky Fleming is, as well as Stevie Sparling, a natural performer as he nears the end of his set. The structure of the song, with high chords for the verse and low for the chorus, shows a strong adaptability and a flair that allows him to mess around with his own songs ad hoc. As well as this, he was asking the audience to join in with the refrain. And, ‘woah’-ing along, they did. Everyone secretly loves a tune that can never leave their mind. Plus, it’s imperative in music that add parts that we can all sing along with first time – look at Kasabian, the Maccabees, even fellow Leodensians the Kaiser Chiefs – it’s tried and tested. It works. And Ricky Fleming pulled it off.
During his interview, I discover that Ricky is also a regular performer at open-mics, but prefers Bar Risa’s set-up as he can play more than anywhere else. He doesn’t feel constrained by style, stating that “it’s all of my influences and inspirations put together, which can’t be put into a particular style”. His main inspiration in life, and a childhood inspiration, is his father, who performed alongside Bad Manners and The Specials in a band called The Skanksters. This has worked well for Ricky, who is appreciative of everything his father does to support him: “He lets me borrow any gear that I need to use when I go anywhere, he drives me to the nights. He’s a great person to have supporting and encouraging me.” Which, in itself, is inspirational.
Currently working at a recording studio in Armley – Interplay – he gets the whole day on Tuesday there to record, and is working on his album, ‘The Way I Feel’, which is scheduled to be out in July. Asked whether he is recording with session musicians, he replied: “I actually play drums too, so I’m recording it all myself.” Well, you impress me further, young Mr Fleming! He has some videos on YouTube – posted under LyricallyJustifiedTV. And there is a local band called Minerva Movement interested in one of his songs.
So, the future is bright for Leeds’ Ricky Fleming. And hopefully, the dream to be famous will be realised.
Friday Night Live at Bar Risa, 5-8 pm.