The Audreys

Check out my interview with The Audreys for The Music Network - 30/06/10

Head to http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-features/artists/2010/06/30/the-audreys-good-to-be-humble/ to read what Taasha Coates has to say about life, music and travel!

Tash Parker- The Sandringham Hotel

My FasterLouder review - 21/06/10

Tash Parker charmed the audience at The Sandringham Hotel with her jazz-inspired folk tunes. Though petite, she dominated the stage with her incredible vocal range.

Starting off with an acoustic song, I Feel Nowhere invited the audience into a story about the insecurities felt by artists. The simple arrangement of the poetic guitar melodies allured the crowd. Her voice, so fluid in motion easily moved from the high to low register with the smoothest of transitions.

The erratic syncopation in Move Around livened things up a little, whilst Understand silenced the crowd with its magical harmonies. So delicate in nature, yet its effects so powerful. The same goes for her flawless falsetto in On The Wind.

Her comical stage banter revealed her quirky personality, which was also scattered through her performance. Stopping midway throughout Move Around, she showed the audience that the notes being played were the same notes from the theme song of the TV series The Jetsons, which amused the crowd.

Towards the end of her set, the sound amplified with a full band on stage for I Take The Blame and Not Unprepared. A soft-natured voice like hers could have easily been drowned out with additional instruments. However the use of a full band did not affect this at all, as she powerfully projected her voice, even in the higher range of her vocals. With the crowd grooving along to the jazzy beats, Not Unprepared ended the night with a joyous vibe.

The night not only showcased the flawless vocals of Tash Parker, but also the genuine stories within her songs.

Keep an eye out for her in the upcoming months!

To read this review on FasterLouder head to: http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/24356/Tash-Parker.htm

Scissor Sisters - Night Work

Check out my album review for The Music Network - 22/06/10

Head to http://www.themusicnetwork.com/reviews/album/2010/06/22/album-review-scissor-sisters-night-work/ to read the review!

Kaki King - Junior

Check out my album review for The Music Network - 22/04/10

Head to http://www.themusicnetwork.com/reviews/album/2010/04/22/album-review-kaki-king-junior/ to read the review!

Boy & Bear - The Annandale Hotel

Photo credit: Max Knight

My FasterLouder review - 12/06/10

Boy & Bear reached all expectations in their sold out show at the Annandale Hotel. After spending the last six months supporting other bands, this was their first headlining tour of the year.

The night began with Perth-based band The Chemist, who gave the audience a taste of their circus inspired pop-rock. Next up was Oh Ye Denver Birds, who attempted to create a certain style of sound (similar to Parades), but instead produced a messy fusion of rock and electronic music.

The Annandale Hotel was an interesting choice of venue for headlining act Boy & Bear, as it usually attracts a rowdy crowd. A little too rowdy perhaps, for the style of music produced by the folk band. Their set began with Blood to Gold, the first track off their debut EP, With Emperor Antarctica. Front-man Dave Hosking soothed any doubts that live, his voice would not reach the standard of their recorded tracks. Easily projecting his voice through the crowded room, it was as powerful and as delicate.

Rabbit Song was a definite highlight, and an obvious favourite of the crowd’s. Their performance featured flawless vocal glissandos from Hosking, as well as a tight-knit percussive drive. One of the best things in a live performance is seeing the artist on stage enjoy and feel the emotion of their music. Electric guitarist Killian Gavin got into those meticulous guitar motifs with such enthusiasm and was a pleasure to watch.

After playing a couple of new songs including Eden, Lordy-may and two Untitled tracks, they played a cover of Flume by Bon Iver. Thinking this was a risky choice at first, they proved me wrong. Their simple arrangement of the banjo and acoustic guitar did the song justice. Ending with a 5-part vocal harmony, so together and solid in form, it was a harmonically magical moment.

The show ended with the very popular Mexican Mavis. Stretching out the intro and adding additional lyrics, they transformed the song into a two-part finale. After the climactic fusion of harmonies, they dropped back into the single-melody verse of Mexican Mavis. This brought on a new dimension of their performance abilities as they strayed away from their rather safe renditions of other songs performed that night. The show ended with a naturally provoked sing-a-long, the crowd singing the last line with Hosking, word for word.

3 1/2 stars out of 5

To read the review on FasterLouder head to:
http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/24206/Boy--Bear.htm

The Crayon Fields - Oxford Art Factory

My FasterLouder review - 29/5/10- reworked.

Unfortunately for The Crayon Fields, their supporting acts outshone their own performance at Oxford Art Factory last week.

Step-Panther started off the night with their 60s surf-pop set list. Getting the keen arrivals bopping and dancing away, they also managed to work the audience with their charismatic banter.

Making way for Parades, the presence on the stage amplified. Starting off with Marigold, the lead female singer showcased her superior vocal ability of control and release. Leading into a two minute instrumental, the climax was thickened with additional drums and double layering of electric guitar chords. They catered to every element needed in making a live performance successful.

Hunter was another highlight, bringing the audience into a musical soundscape. Live, they executed the contrasts of their music; with a heavy drop into richly textured musical layers, to delicate ghostly vocals accompanied by minimal percussion. The level of intensity of this 50-minute set was mind-blowing.

With the room now packed with people, it was time for The Crayon Fields. Would It Be So Strange? demonstrated their skill with smooth dynamic control, whilst Mirror Ball saw the live execution of those brilliant subtleties of their music. However, there was something lacking in their performance from the beginning - it was energy. Playing straight after Parades also didn’t help.

A little awkward on stage with minimal stage banter, they jumped right into So Much Time. The crowd began to lose interest as the sound of chatting grew louder and louder. However, their rendition of Timeless brought back audience interest, thanks to the beachy harmonies and a chorus that takes you back to when 60s pop reigned American high-school proms.

The show ended with an average performance of All the Pleasures of the World. Compared to the well produced CD track, the audience lost the aural experience of a few important musical ingredients. Firstly, their signature sound of woodblocks failed to appear in this final song. Secondly, the lead singer had trouble reaching a smooth falsetto, losing control over the higher notes.

Returning to the stage for an encore they played a new song, She’s My Hero, ending on a good note for fans.

2 1/2 stars out of 5

For the more lengthy FasterLouder article head to: http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/23987/The-Crayon-Fields-.htm