What does one say about the level of musical ability, not to mention the sheer volume, coming from the western side, halfway up the North Island of Aotearoa? It’s like a goddamn factory line, each one a different genre, each one with its own bag of tricks. There must be something in the air around that incredible mountain. Ladies, Gentlemen, Other, I refer to Taranaki.

with thanks to Shutterstock for the image

I’ve just listened to New Plymouth artist Crystal Starr‘s new single Anything Permanent. We have 5 minutes 45 seconds of pure folk, led by an acoustic guitar and clear vocal that can send you to many different mind’s eye destinations for echoes of the greats of this genre. Me? I feel the vibe of Sally Oldfield. The mix and subdued master done at Swampshack Studio by Chris Foreman is very sparse, but it’s by design and rightly so, as this type of melody needs the uncluttered feel. Nicely done, and harder than one might suspect.

Crystal’s vocal to me is emotive and purposefully balanced slightly ethereally in the cans. For term of reference think of Christine McVie‘s performance in Fleetwood‘s 1987 hit Little Lies, then strip back their mega-production to a folky base of guitar, bass, cello, some percussion and the vocals and BVs. There’s a fullness to the timbre, but she can keep it light and drive the melody. The context of the lyrics I’ll let Crystal explain from her EPK: “Anything Permanent is a ballad about figuring out where you want to be. It’s about the journey of figuring out how you feel and what you want. The only thing constant is change. Is Anything Permanent?“

Nicely supported by Liana Hart on the BVs, with bass by Richard Grant, and Chris Lewis on a very sublime cello, Crystal has dished up a nice track orchestrated with a leading acoustic guitar hook, with the other instruments dipping in and out at very appropriate intervals. It’s very nicely composed. If you’re fan of the aforementioned Sally Oldfield, Mary Hopkins, Portishead, early Everything But The Girl and other sounds of a similar ilk, this is definitely for you.

There’s a performance vid on the You Tubes of Crystal playing and singing the song in a public park in Rotorua. Pop in and have a listen to her live vocal – and you might then want to head on the 27th of this month to Mike’s Bistro in New Plymouth for her single launch show, supported by Radio Wah Wah. Doors open at 9.

Crystal says she has a lot more to come in 2024, so keep an eye out for a new Folk diva named Crystal Starr. Another on the roll of honour for the Taranaki music fraternity.