The Narrative is a monthly songwriter showcase and networking event held in Liverpool on the first Tuesday of every month. This event features “in the round” performances from three songwriters/composers, providing a rare and intimate musical experience for attendees. The performers invited to play tonight were Andrew Barney, Motel Sundown, and Tonia.
All performers took to the stage at the same time and settled into their positions. The format of the show involved each performer talking about themselves and their writing before performing a composition.
Andrew Barney was first to perform. He’s a Liverpool-based composer and pianist whose work blends classical, jazz, and world music influences. In 2024, he won the prestigious Rushworth Composition Prize from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, marking a significant milestone in his musical career. Dressed in a fetching purple kaftan, he introduced an instrumental work called ‘Adrift Home’, which he described as a piece about being away from home and doing what he truly wanted to do.
The “in the round” format meant Motel Sundown were next. They are a Liverpool-based Americana and folk-rock trio comprising singer-songwriters Karen Turley, Naomi Campbell, and Robert Johnson. Their opening song was ‘Rain Falling’, written and sung by Johnson. The band’s trademark close harmonies were evident throughout.
Tonia was the last of the evening’s performers to sing. She’s an emerging singer-songwriter currently forging a reputation for her soulful, introspective music. Her opening song was from her 2024 EP Different This Time—a beautiful track that allowed her to convey emotional depth through honest lyrics and an ethereal voice.
Andrew Barney’s second contribution to the evening was an instrumental titled ‘Just Like That’, which he wrote about an uncle who passed away last year. This track showed that words aren’t always necessary to convey emotion—the mesmeric melody and Barney’s intense playing did just that.
Karen Turley took the lead on Motel Sundown’s second track, ‘Colours in the Rain’ — a beautiful, country-tinged song about loss.
Tonia completed the first half of the showcase with ‘Wide Eyed Hot Wired’, a haunting song about the deeper emotions people often don’t talk about.
The second half got underway with Andrew Barney’s ‘Oh The Olives’, a tune he had written after witnessing the events in Palestine on television. Once again, he was able to project genuine emotion through his playing.
Naomi Campbell introduced Motel Sundown’s next song, ‘Why’, which she wrote about the changes that come with reaching a certain age. She took the lead vocal on this track, but it was the trio’s emotionally rich harmonies that truly lifted the song.
Tonia then played her latest single, ‘Cut the Cloth’, a song about letting go of people you can’t please—written the day after an argument. Her singing had the audience spellbound.
Andrew Barney’s final piece of the night was the jazzier and more upbeat ‘Time Is Running Out’—a great way to end what had been a highly original and extremely impressive set.
‘Dreaming of a Better Life’ was Motel Sundown’s last song, and another example of their sophisticated three-part harmonies. It’s obvious the trio are deeply musical so can blend folk and pop influences into a unique sound that echoes the late1960s but is contemporary.
Tonia rounded off the night with a brand new and as-yet-untitled song she had written with Tragic Sasha. Her music, her singing had clearly resonated with the audience.
The talent on show at this showcase was formidable and demonstrates that the Liverpool music scene is as vibrant as ever. Much credit must go to The Narrative for putting on events like this, which allow creatives the space to fully express themselves and connect with each other.
The next Songwriter Showcase will be on Tuesday 1st July 2025.
Reviewer – Adrian Cork
On – 03.06.2025
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