Sena Ehrhardt

Leave The Light On

Blind Pig Records

by Mike O’Cull

                Sena Ehrhardt is a powerful young blues vocalist who is poised to break out of her Upper Midwest stomping ground and take her thing worldwide. Her debut album, Leave The Light On, is an impressive outing, full of deep blues, soul, and funk tunes that demonstrate not only her vocal chops but also her ability as a songwriter, as there is nary a cover to be found, which is almost unheard of in the blues. The songs were written with her father, Ed Ehrhardt, a veteran blues guitarist who also plays in Sena’s band and fostered a love of blues music in his talented daughter. Sena has taken her fathers’ influence and combined it with a few years of her own performing experience to come up with her own blues sound that is original yet still familiar.

                One of the coolest things about this record is the small band sound of her trio (Dad Ed on guitar, Steve Hansen on bass, and drummer Tim Hasler) topped off with Sena’s remarkable voice. The trio format leaves a lot of room for her vocals to shine and gives listeners a hint at the band’s live sound. Tunes like the album opener “My Bad”, “Lovers Can’t Be Friends”, and the title track show Sena and company navigating the many moods of the blues in fine and memorable style. She is a strong, sassy, take-no-prisoners type of singer and long-time blues fans should find a lot to like here. Hopefully, Sena will also attract some younger fans to blues music, which is also nothing but good. It will be cool to see her develop and live out her musical journey over the next few years and albums; but this is an excellent first record and you should go out and buy it, especially if you are wondering what the future of the blues will sound like.

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