Hilltop Sessions Presents: Darden Smith + Reema
In June we welcome Darden Smith, a singer-songwriter blessed with an uncommon degree of intelligence, depth, and compassion according to AllMusic. And they know All Music… Support comes from Reema whose bitter-sweet, delicate folk songs explore being human.
Bar from 5:00pm. Doors 8:00pm to 11:00pm.
Tickets and more info: www.hilltopsessions.co.uk
Darden Smith is a Texas based singer-songwriter with a 35-year career that continues to evolve and grow. He has released fifteen critically acclaimed albums and toured extensively in both the US and Europe. Among his other diverse projects, Smith has composed a symphony, scored three full-length dance theater works and produced a documentary for BBC2 Radio. His visual art is in both private and corporate collections. “The Habit of Noticing: Using Creativity to Make a Life (and a Living)” a collection of his writings, photos and drawings was published in 2018. He is the co-founder and former creative director of SongwritingWith:Soldiers. In 2021 he co-founded Frontline Songs, which uses collaborative songwriting to help tell the stories of frontline healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reema’s songwriting themes run through self-esteem to coping with loss to the importance of kindness. Her deeply personal concerts are all about communicating with her audience, sharing stories and often tears.
Reema has a handmade approach, not only to her music, but also in her artwork and stage clothing printed from her paintings of animals, plants and swirling patterns. She has worked with great producers like Stephen Street and Ethan Johns and has written songs for film ‘Love Rosie’ and the ‘Twilight Eclipse’ soundtrack. Her first releases were live, analogue and computer-free vinyl records, ‘The Lowswing Sessions’ and ‘Memories Fade to Tape’ with arrangements by award-winning producer, Guy Sternberg. The records both sold out on their release dates. Reema then released 2 digital EPs , ‘Lioness’ and ‘Rooftops and Riversides.’
The EPs were created live with bass clarinet, clarinet, flute and trombone and little accents of trumpet and percussion with production and arrangements by her bandmate and close friend, Stefan Baumann. The minimal approach made sure the songs and their messages are right at the front of the production. It is an uncut and honest look into Reema’s heart- felt song writing and clear, glass‐like vocals.
