I arrive at the Donna Maciocia EP launch fresh from a festive Christmas market, homemade candle in hand, only to be met by more decorative activities in the form of several dedicated balloon hanging and merchandise arranging teams. It’s 90 minutes before doors open and cosy Edinburgh venue Sneaky Pete’s is a bustling hive of activity as Donna’s support band rattle through their soundcheck.

I glance over at the merch table (resourcefully constructed from duct tape, a keyboard stand and the top of a flight case) where a little collection of CDs and paper is forming. There’s the old Amplifico album (Donna’s former group) and another little cardboard package that really catches my eye. On closer inspection I find that it’s the focus of all our celebrations: Donna’s latest EP.

“We created each individual print on the front using a Japanese technique called Gocco. It’s not really used any more, kind of like Polaroid!” Donna laughs. I notice a couple of members from the quite frankly motherfucking awesome Super Adventure Club (SAC) too and have a chat with bassist Mandy about the new line up of Donna’s band and their impending first live performance together, which SAC drummer Waz is also a part of.

Up until tonight I’d only ever seen Donna solo, this is the way she starts out when she takes to the stage a bit later on. Amidst a ton of green balloons she kicks off the set with a folky ukulele based track that soon descends into looped vocal layers and otherworldly harmonies that call to mind Medulla-era Bjork. It’s all chop and change though when she cheerfully invites the band on stage to start playing more radio-friendly tracks from the EP. Busting in with an above average level of gusto mid way through the first verse of the infectious ‘Infinite Colours’, it’s clear that despite their limited time together this is a band of really professional and talented musicians. The performance is so polished I almost convince myself I’m watching some touring band that have been together for years.

This same level of energy continues throughout the set; with title track ‘Fists At the Sky’ showcasing Donna’s effortless vocal style and piano playing. These are all tunes that will get stuck in your head for a week or two, and much like her buddy KT Tunstall, Maciocia does a good job of fusing totally accessible pop music with lyrics that read like a time-worn parable. Although I feel there may have been one guitar solo too many, between the sheer catchiness of all the tunes and this front lady’s lovable stage presence (read: pretty bad taste but very funny Essex girl jokes) I think it’s safe to say a wholeheartedly good time was had by all. Hurrah.

Vicki Cole
Donna’s EP is out now! For more info please visit: http://www.moochacha.net