We were in Purley for a fine evening of acoustic guitar courtesy of two talented artists.
It was a first visit for us to St. Mary’s Church in Purley-On-Thames, just next door to Reading. This a is a volunteer run music group who have permission to put on up to six events a year. These are frequently sold out and they already have artists booked over a year in advance. Like Newbury Ace Space, any profit goes back into local charities.
Sean C. Duggan of Steady Habits
Steady Habits are normally a four piece band with a line in country music and gentle Americana. They are built around Sean C. Duggan, originally from New England but currently living in Oxford. Sean is here as a support act, but also to help Annie out later on. He plays guitar, but also has a harmonica in position thanks to a holder/harness/rack (delete as you see appropriate). This is serious harmonica business, as there are at least four in the case by his feet for different requirements.
The majority of his set comes from his Deviate album released last year. He is a warm and likeable performer. He offers up the biggest glimpse of himself on the title track of his last album, ‘Deviate.’ He shares how hard he found it growing up gay, until he really accepted himself for who he was.
He proves quite educational as well, explaining how his second guitar is strung in a ‘Nashville style’ with the top three strings one octave out. He throws in a very pleasant cover of ‘Satisfied Mind.’
Annie Dressner
Annie Dressner is another American native, from New York, a singer-songwriter who has also relocated to the UK. She is the other side of the boat race from Sean, based in Cambridge. She apologises to us for playing “miserable songs.” There is a song about her Grandma, ‘Leather Chair,’ and another about her Mum who died unexpectedly young. Though even when she is thematically darker, uptempo music never seems far away. There is much good natured banter. A large proportion of the audience all seem to be called Steve. We hear about her introduction to Viennetta thanks to Village Concerts host Charlotte. Annie is appreciative of the crunchy bits, the polite audience are amused by her experience of such a distinctly 1980’s English desert.
After four tracks solo Sean returns to the stage to support her. They have a real appreciation of each other’s work and he complements her well, despite not having had a lot of rehearsal opportunity.
A number of the tracks played come from an album due for release in February 2027. Sean is set to feature in a rerecorded version of her Kathryn Williams single collaboration, ‘For The Thrill of It.’ Most recent single ‘Dumb Boy’ makes an appearance near the end. It has picked up a few plays on BBC Radio Six, among other places. It is a pleasant evening of music and all who attended leave with a smile on their face.
Annie is out on tour from the end of March supporting Kris Drever. If you like acoustic music it is going to be worth keeping an eye out for what is put on by Village Concerts.
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