She may only be 21-years-old, but Meredith Luce has been part of Ottawa’s music scene for years and she has the world-weary voice to prove it.
She’s played in almost every bar, café, and concert hall in Ottawa and last Sunday she played at everyone’s favourite hidden gem, The Manx. Her dulcet voice easily matched the relaxed atmosphere of the bar that is known and loved for everything from its brunches to bands.
The cozy bar lies nestled at the corner of Elgin Street and Frank Street and every nook and cranny was packed with people looking for somewhere to go on a chilly Sunday night. From work friends grabbing a pint, to first dates, to Luce’s friends and fans – it’s the kind of bar where you always find yourself meeting old friends and making new ones.
Luce has the easy stage presence of an old pro and her songs take you on a journey through her accomplished life. A talented songwriter, she brings a poet’s warmth and familiarity to her words, making each song impossible to ignore. Without knowing how she manages it, Luce reminds you of your own first loves, first heartbreaks and that search to find a home.
Luce’s music is what might come out if Kathleen Edwards, Martha Wainright and Julie Doiron were all 21-years-old, sharing a beer on the patio on a warm summer’s evening.
Luce has the kind of voice that sends a shockwave from your ears to your heart and back again, and her complex guitar work in songs like “Neck of the Woods” and “October” prove she is not only a gifted songwriter but also a skilled technical musician.
The only thing that was off-putting was the poor sound quality. Sometimes Luce’s gentle voice was lost under the audience’s murmured conversation. While The Manx is obviously not a concert hall, simply cranking those amps to 11 could have made all the difference.
As it was, she did what she could to provide the perfect soundtrack to a lovely evening full of good beer, good food, good friends and above all, good music.