By Sadhbh Pearse
@sibhhead on Twitter
Reporter Sadhbh Pearse attended the recent gig by Les SalAmandas at The Record Room, Limerick to witness the beautiful stylings of Julie O’Sullivan (24) and Colyne Laverriere (25).
The pair are known for their moving lyrics, insane harmonies and on stage banter.
Their music is a blend of folk and indie pop with soulful undertones.
THE Record Room was lit in its usual sultry red lighting, with tea lights on each table to add to the intimate atmosphere.
The stage was set up with a drum kit, guitars and a double bass.
First, warm up act Dylan Howe aka Hant Music, took to the stage while attendees were chatting away. Dylan’s first song was “This is as far as we go”, on electric guitar. Most of his songs are played on piano so he was converting the songs as he was performing, showing immense talent.
He is in the process of self recording a lot of his new music, which made up most of his set. He finished his set with a tribute song to Les SalAmandas member Julie who recently lost her mother. Dylan experienced the same a few months ago and wanted to show some empathy through music.
After a break, Dylan returned to stage with a drummer and double bass player.
Then Colyne and Julie (along with a guitar), joined the stage, welcomed by applause and cheers. Julie was sporting a plaid shirt with jeans and boots Colyne was wearing a corduroy shacket, cuffed jeans and well worn converse. She mentioned how it was her first time in Limerick, having stayed mostly in Cork since she moved from France.
As the girls played their song “Now is the time”, there was a wave of euphoria passing through the room as their alto voices blended together seamlessly.
Their quick banter kept the crowd laughing. Coylne commented on how the songs would be getting sadder but “Don’t be afraid to shed a tear or two..but we’ll pick it up at the end!”
Julie’s sisters then came on stage to perform “Mary’s got issues”, which only added more depth and richness to the set.
Julie and Colyne have been writing together for years, one song even having been translated and adapted from a poem Colyne wrote in French.
Julie has dabbled with various instruments from a young age but only got serious with writing when she started a music course.
Colyne from la Drôme near the French Alps, was in a school choir since age four and hasn’t stopped since!
The girls’ banter was on point all night. When Colyne introduced “Plastic Barbies”, which she wrote when she was angry at men she joked “Don’t take it too personally…but do a little..and do better!”
All too soon, the girls announced they would be performing their final songs which was followed by a loud “awww!” from the crowd who never wanted the night to end.
They performed the title song of their newest album “There’s a sea between us”. The crowd went wild with thunderous applause and cheers.
As their encore song they played “Gold” which also has a music video.
Having caught up with the girls afterwards, they were left floating from the high of performing and grinning from ear to ear at yet another successful performance.
Les SalAmandas music can be found on YouTube and Spotify
