Back in Manchester to celebrate the release of the first single from upcoming debut album ‘Tantrum’, Dilettante (pronounced DILL-uh-tont) is the songwriting vehicle of multi-instrumentalist Francesca Pidgeon. Primarily a guitarist and singer but, owing to chronic introversion, she taught herself clarinet, sax and piano and bought a loop pedal in an attempt to avoid human contact.
However, this endeavour ultimately proved futile and she enlisted the aid of bassist Aaron Collins-Wood and Drummer Jack Mee.
FFO St Vincent, tUnE-yArDs, Dirty Projectors and Fiona Apple.
Previous shows include support slots for Self Esteem (Belgrave Music Hall), Tom Robinson of 6music (The Trades Club), BC Camplight (YES Manchester) and Caribou (Sage Gateshead) plus festival appearances at Kendal Calling, Manchester Jazz Festival, This Must Be The Place and The Great Escape (online 2021).
“One of my new favourite bands” – Tom Robinson, Radio 6
“Pidgeon flits between saxophone/clarinet/guitar/piano to give her gorgeous compositions more texture, with her songs treading the line between the confessional and the obtuse with great aplomb. Reminiscent of Actor-era St Vincent at it’s very best, Dilettante’s soulful, articulate songwriting warms the hearts of those gathered. The North-East’s favourite up and coming angst-masters.” – NARC Magazine
“I have to admit that my appetite for artists that use loops is somewhat jaded but Francesca uses them in inventive and, at times, mind-boggling ways – I tried at one point to actually work out how she was doing it but couldn’t. The way she uses her voice to create music is to be honest incredible. And what a voice she has.” – Local Sound Focus
“One of the best live sessions of 2019” – Alan Raw, BBC Introducing
“That fusion of forward-facing indie and retro-vibing jazz is where she’s at her most comfortable. St. Vincent and David Byrne’s influence can be clearly heard in the idiosyncratic, left-of-centre grooves.” – Fresh On The Net
“Creatively this is a project brimming with intelligent composition, both in the instrumentation and the clever, interesting, lyrics.” – Emily Pilbeam, Counterfeit Magazine
“Elegant and somber, wildly original songs.” – Odd Horizon
“Art pop with a pleasantly haunting aftertaste.” – Breaking Glass Magazine
Ones To Watch 2020 – BBC Leeds
Ones To Watch 2020 – Amazing Radio
