Gig Diary: Voices From The Cones (Album Launch) The Glasshouse Arts Centre, Stourbridge. Friday 21st October 2022

Projects like Voices From The Cones need full journey status to establish their true worth. While album preview, release and launch are all notable landmarks, it is the iceberg analogy of what you haven't seen and the shift above the surface that truly define the effect. From idea spark to studio recording, the initial part of this journey out of public view likely struck the hard yards. Creativity now passes the baton on to commercial endeavour to give this project the best chance of reaching and fulfilling audiences with an appetite for archival folk transmission. The Glasshouse Arts Centre in Stourbridge stands on the physical sands of a trade sunk into the heart of a community and commandeers one part of the spirit. The other part is every curious mind that absorbs the message and art of Voices From The Cones, whether hailing from this south western corner of the Black Country or anywhere else accessing a far reaching digital release. 

Voices From The Cones primarily protracts the multi-facetted talents of musician Dan Whitehouse and the narrative expressive storytelling skills of John Edgar to the fore. In some ways they are mere creative facilitators as the true core comes from those owning the 'voices'. Some voices literally exist in the present, while others emerge from archive research. The common thread is they all have a significant story to tell about working in the glass industry in Stourbridge. A trade now turning a full circle to being an artisan-centric seed-to- table existence with the old cones dormant on one level, but truly alive in another through an area's desire to preserve a 400 year heritage.

Ongoing, Voices From the Cones will have two entities. The commercial recording offers limitless accessibility in a combination of formats showcasing twelve songs for those solely hooked on that aspect, and a separate integration of them with the stories explained, narrated and, where able, an inclusion of the actual 'voices'. This entity has the impact to be stand alone effective and finds a channel into intuitive minds. The second is the live interpretation that can be fluid, adaptable and innovative. All three of these latter traits were in evidence at the album launch show.

There were three strands to the live performance this evening. First up, Dan Whitehouse created a little space to introduce himself through a solo set. This included a peep into his alternative 2022 glass project, more ethereal and perspective than industrial and tangible. Having poured so much into the songwriting and music producing of Voices From The Cones and now the ongoing focal point, a little indulgence was fully warranted. 

Preluding the main performance, Alan Ellsmore from the Ruskin Mill Trust (the project's key instigator) gave further insight into the stimulus, historical background, the organisation's links to the trade and a summary of some of the lyrical themes. Accompanying this was a fully enhanced slide show adding value at opportune moments that also extended deep into the main performance with an incisive slice of embracing multi-media visual art. 

Practicalities have to be sought when bringing the music to stage in this new phase of Voices From The Cones. Stripped back was the announced term to introduce a trio format of Dan Whitehouse (electric guitar/vocals), Elizabeth J. Birch (piano/vocals) and John Edgar (narration/vocals/harmonica). Much more input can be heard on the record, but, in reverse, a lot more can be derived from extracting the filters and adding in audience aura. 

On the surface the 50-minute presentation reflected the integrated take on the record. Track order, script and field recordings all filled a studio performance space housing a tiered audience gripped by a totally absorbing slant on spoken word, music and song. Live performance will always bring something different to the moment, and a hometown show can breathe in a local element. In attendance this evening were some of the actual voices, adding an extra factor of reality and personal emotion. 

Enhanced dimension, added dynamics and an injection of real time experience ensures any live performance of Voices From The Cones will reach different parts than is possible on the record. This entity can play a valuable role in the final phase of a project that possesses enough guile and craft to succeed. The message and ethos is strong. The importance of preserving the past is magnified. Dan Whitehouse meets the challenge head on to coordinate a fascinating night of performance art. In his role of prime curator, success emerges through listening, learning, interpreting, creating and delivering. 

Voices From The Cones in its dual existence is a memorable exemplar of sharing with poise, passion and panache. This album launch show captured the spirit of the record and will certainly replicate when offered the chance in the future. Leaving a departing audience entertained, educated and enthralled is a worthy epitaph to a solitary night. Reaching out or returning to the record in a new light is another effect of sampling it live. Seeking out, either or both of the Voices From The Cones entities is highly recommended, while this project powers on as a functioning vessel celebrating 400 years of glassmaking heritage in Stourbridge.