The event celebrates the life and music of arguably the first ever singer-songwriter, Connie Converse, who deliberately disappeared in 1974. The evening features a screening of a documentary about Connie and a musical performance from Nat backed by her band and a brass band, playing new arrangements of several of Connie's songs, as well as original songs about her.
The Sensoria event was completely sold out in advance and the performers played to an emotional and incredibly appreciative audience*. A review in Exposed Magazine called it the best night of the festival whilst the Quietus called it 'a tribute that's more than worthy of its mysterious, talented and ultimately tragic subject'. In the lead up to the festival Nat played a live session for Gideon Coe and received coverage from the BBC, The Girls Are, Now Then, Northern Soul, Our Favourite Places and others.
*Audience comments:
“What a fantastic evening yesterday! Well worth the journey down from Harrogate.”
“Massive earnest applause for the show tonight. The performance had so much warmth and intimacy that it felt like intrusion sometimes, but always welcoming. The songs and arrangements were special and I'm very glad to have attended.”
“Great night out and I made it back safely to Manchester just before midnight. Thanks for all the work you (and your colleagues) put in to making this happen.”
From Twitter:
Such a good performance last night by @NatJohnsonband at @SensoriaFest. Please record more of those Connie Converse songs!
I was completely blown away by @NatJohnsonband and @ConnieCnvrseDoc last night. There were a few tears #SensoriaFest #RovingWomen
Roving Women was great-brilliant doc by Andrea Kannes & superlative performance by Nat Johnson. Beautiful venue too. Thanks @SensoriaFest
Nat Johnson bio:
Songwriter, singer and guitarist Nat Johnson is the former leader of folk pop favourites Monkey Swallows the Universe (Loose / Thee SPC) and indie/alt-country band Nat Johnson & the Figureheads (Damaged Goods / Thee SPC). In the last six months, Nat has released her first solo album on her own Straw & Hay Records, performed a live set on Gideon Coe's 6 music show (with further radio support this year from Tom Ravenscroft, Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq and John Kennedy) and played a sell-out show at the Cutlers' Hall for Sensoria Festival accompanied by a brass band. Nat has supported Low and Marika Hackman, and has previously toured with Richard Hawley and performed at Green Man, End of the Road, Latitude, Secret Garden Party, Indietracks, Tramlines and Truck.
“Witty, classy, poignant and heartfelt - an acoustic leading light” - Our Favourite Places
