Edenvale blues light up Argentina
Born in the Blues, an eleven-track album, will give fans a taste of Smoke's style of blues and some of their all-time favourites.
Fans of Eastleigh blues guitarist Nico ‘Smoke’ Lawrence can look forward to the release of his first album in the upcoming months.
Born in the Blues, an eleven-track album, will give fans a taste of Smoke’s style of blues and some of their all-time favourites.
Smoke travelled to Argentina last year alongside Argentinian band Yamil Jacobo Trio.
He toured three cities, played at six events and had the opportunity to record several songs which included Grooving in Edenvale.
Smoke said the tour would not have been possible without the assistance of Argentina’s Ministry of Culture.
Smoke said the Argentinian audience loved his music.
“Although I’ve been a fan of Argentina for many years, I never knew how big the blues scene was in that country, I believed the audience enjoyed my music because it is the blues from Africa.”
Smoke said the language barrier was a challenge at times, especially when he played Loadshedding Blues.
“Even with the help of the interpreter, the audience didn’t know what I was singing about.”
Smoke said at one event he felt the onset of some nerves when he played alongside talented musicians. The skill of the musicians was unbelievable and I just asked myself how can I add to it. But I am pleased with the feedback I received.”
Smoke then toured parts of SA with Argentinian musicians Yamil Jacobo, Sebastian Feck and Fed Bertona.
“The band members were staying in the greater Edenvale area and they experienced loadshedding. So I’m sure when they returned home they would understand the concept of what I was singing about. ”
The Argentinian musicians also joined Smoke Train Blues Movement at last year’s Durban Blues Festival for a performance.
Smoke said although the pandemic has caused some tours to be postponed, it has offered him time to recuperate.
“I was meant to go on a similar tour to Colombia, made possible with help from the Colombia’s Department of the Ministry of Culture. I was also invited to a blues festival in Spain. Both events were meant to occur in June.”
On July 17 Smoke took to the stage virtually alongside Colombian musicians when he performs in the XBlues and Jazz Festival.
Smoke was granted permission to play after he received an invitation from the Institute of Culture and Tourism of Bucaramanga.
