I had left my beloved London in 1993 and - following a particularly unhappy relationship breakdown with my long-time girlfriend and soul mate, Maureen - I was flitting from bed-sit to hotel room for around six months, I eventually settled in at a lovely flat - the first place I could really call home. At last, I could spend nights settling down listening to music or just watching telly.
It was on one such evening that I first came across Kristin Hersch - in late 1993 / early 1994. I was entranced by her appearance on British TV show, The Southbank Show, hosted by Melvyn Bragg. In truth, Kristin's look, voice, manner and general demeanour eerily reminded me of my recently ex-girlfriend, Maureen Anne Potter, with whom - despite the unpleasant breakup - I was still besotted, in love with and whom I couldn't get out of my system. I played the video recording of Kristin's performance over and over again.
I went out and ordered Kristin’s debut Hips & Makers album - it too was played over and over and over again. Kristen, her lyrics and sound were pretty unique at the time - more so from a female artist.
I then discovered that Kristin had a UK tour planned. I was pleased to find that she had included an evening at Parr Hall in Warrington - not far from where I was living. So I dashed out and got my ticket from the box office - this was in the days before online bookings.
Sound recording is one of my hobbies; no, make that passions; in fact make that obsession. I record people, animals, industrial noises - even just ambient background noises and sounds. And, since 1979 I'd had a penchant for bootleg recordings of concerts - it all started with Rush's Tour of The Hemisphere's at Liverpool's Empire Theatre and some rather large and cumbersome recording equipment which I always managed to get into the venues without challenge. It would not be possible to do it nowadays without being shot or roughed up by the overzealous British Thug-force (Police). I never sold the recordings – they were always just a personal memento, but one in which I took pride and dedication in capturing.
By the time Kristen was touring I had a rather compact and very advanced Sony WMD6Pro recording deck with suitable high quality microphones. It picked up every cough and wheeze during the evening’s performance in a packed Parr Hall; as did Kristin - she was concerned at all the coughing and politely asked if we were alright? We were; and all the better for an excellent gig.
Years passed and I moved on and I (eventually) convinced myself that I'd got 'that girl' out of my system. Until last night. I had been doing some spring cleaning and in a drawer I found the master tape of the Parr Hall concert from some fifteen years ago. It has stirred memories. So I found myself at this website and my mind curiously wandering elsewhere. Was I looking for Kristin, or perhaps someone else……..