by Donte Kirby
On the stage, there was just a girl and her ukulele, singing songs that may have hit a little too close to home. Listening to her felt like someone stuck a knife in your heart. But, I’m sure those at The Legendary Dobbs wouldn’t mind being stabbed again.
Brooklyn band Sweet Soubrette, normally a five piece with an ensemble of trumpets, this night was just lone centerpiece Ellia Bisker singing her brand of sophisticated pop. Bisker was formally in a country band but after it broke up she met a man, who upon seeing her upset, said “you need a ukulele.”
Inspired by badass 90’s girls like PJ Harvey and Feist, Bisker “like[s] to write a lot of sad love songs. People seem to like them, I don’t know what that says about me.” The dark lyrics in contrast to the happy melody of the ukulele disarmed and really allowed the songs to sink in.
On a stage that looked bigger than it was with just her on it, Bisker performed “Live Wire”, inspired by a meeting with an electrician/songwriter, and “Homewrecker” off an album due to be released in the fall. The new album’s sound is going to represent what the band sounds like live with the full ensemble, according to Bisker.
Each song was broken up with a little story. Bisker is a part of a singer/songwriter book club where after a book is read a song is written. “Burning City” was inspired by Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse Five” and “What’s My Desire” was written after reading a book by erotic novelist Anais Nin.
On the stage there was just a girl and her ukulele, singing songs that may have hit a little too close to home but that’s the price of admission when a performance knocks it out the park.
