Pooka have a curious music business story. They were formerly Warner & Island Records signings and they have since worked with Jeff Travis, the founder of Rough Trade. However, it’s unlikely that any magazine feature on Pooka ever mentioned that Sharon Lewis & Natasha Jones (Pooka) launched healthy house concerts back in April 1994 with two acoustic shows in a basement flat in Brunswick Square, Brighton.

Sharon Lewis, the queen of melody, recalls their adventures in the music industry. "We enjoyed collaborating with electronic music producer Brian Duffy and bands Ultramarine and Orbital." Sharon reflects on the Pooka progression from acoustic (album1) to rock (album2) to dance…to a new found freedom which involves taking control of the means of production so that the real music can come through – and it sounds classical & spiritual! Natasha invites me to consider a complete performance of Pooka songs arranged for piano, string quintet and hand bell choir with female backing-vocals.

Pooka performances can be raw and piercing or refined and delicate. This reflects the range of subjects they explore in their songs, not afraid to broach such matters as, inadequacy, sexual frustration, bereavement, revenge, forgiveness… Sharon says "I believe in empathy…I’m lonely sometimes, the music lifts me and I want to bring comfort to people who feel the same way."

Pooka can not be taken for granted. I learned that they are, both together and apart! Natasha Jones is breaking out of all moulds. "I’m in metamorphosis" she says, "I can’t cope with this feeling of losing my identity…stale, trapped in a group or in a relationship for a long time." Sharon & Natasha are showing that they are each prepared to go it alone, if and when the magic and passion must. I (for one) listening, opened, touched deeply.