Ragz

Over recent years Mellowtone has become one of Liverpool’s best and most intimate musical soirees, and so it is fitting that regular contributor Ragz uses this evening as a platform to launch her autumn tour and new EP Bedroom Recordings.

Resident DJ collective Musica del Alma soundtrack The Fly's descent into the depths of Korova’s basement bar, whose rough industrial edges are tonight softened by candlelight, delicate drapes and fairy lights – the perfect setting for the evening’s events to unfold.



Jeff Jepson is first up tonight, opening strongly and appeasing the patient but increasingly restless crowd with his acoustic guitar and strong vocal delivery. The alt. country Americana comparisons are inevitable, but still he manages to put his own twist on what is a classic sound.



As Ragz takes to the stage accompanied for the first time by her newly recruited band, the anticipation is tangible. Opening in familiar fashion as a duo with longstanding collaborator Malcolm, she is direct, engaging and alluring; but when the rest of the band kick in the whole thing moves up a level. Baring her soul through beautifully crafted songs delivered with such a powerful and evocative voice, Ragz is always special, but tonight she is spellbindingly magnificent.



So, with the crowd left baying for more as the singer readies herself for her forthcoming tour, tonight’s special guest – Icicle Works legend Ian McNabb – clambers on to the stage clutching Ragz’ guitar in one hand, glass of wine in the other and wearing the biggest grin of the evening so far. McNabb charms the assembled movers and shakers of Liverpool as he slots a selection of covers in amongst his own back catalogue, the crowd eating out of his hands as he launches into a singalong finale of ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ to end proceedings. But it’s Ragz’ star quality that shines through and steals tonight’s show.



- The Fly

Ragz is well known for her ability to bring a dark hush over the lairiestof audiences – thanks to her sweet,
rich voice and beautiful back catalogue of songs. - Diesel U-Music

'Nordic siren with an enchanting voice and haunting melodies'
- Liverpool SoundCity!

"Siren with star quality"

Reviewed by Jade Wright

Ragz is a treasure, with her warm sweet intoxicating vocals, dazzling musicianship, gorgeous insightful songs, and a beautiful face too, for those who care about such things. So the great question is – why is she not already the household name she deserves to be? I have no explanation for this oversight by the great listening public, other than her gentle nature. She doesn’t seem to have a pushy bone in her body…
So it is up to those who seek true quality in their musicians to seek her out, until she inevitably finds herself in the limelight where she belongs. Do yourself a favour and beat the crowds, catch her singing live now, in the local venues she still plays – you’ll only be able to see her as a dot on the stage of the giant stadiums before long!
- Rikki Wright, Liverpool Echo

The epitome of beatitude ‘of appearance and voice’ came via Ragz and together with her accompaniment from Malcolm the pair gave a strikingly faultless performance. With their playing ‘sets’ such as they gave for Mellowtone, this acoustic siren and her beau have a fortuitous career ahead of them. - Reviewed by Alicia Rose, Nerve magazine

Ragz is a rather special undiscovered talent. Her voice sends Nordic chill down your spine, her words are wry and understood, her fingerpicked guitar teases the auricles and she looks fantastic too. In a world where Sandi Thom can get to number one with pretty much the worse song ever heard to man (a punk rocker with flowers in their hair? Fuck off!!), then surely there is room for such a starlet to make significant impact.
- www.yourfridgedoor.co.uk