Birds of Tokyo - Album Review

Check out my album review for The Music Network - 22/07/2010

Head to http://www.themusicnetwork.com/reviews/album/2010/07/22/album-review-birds-of-tokyo/ to read the review!

Clare Bowditch - The Opera House

My FasterLouder review - 03/07/10

The Opera House played host to the first of The Friends series, with an intimate performance from Clare Bowditch and Friends.

The night began with the earthy sounds of a cappella trio, Aluka. The rhythmic vocal complexities and three-part harmonies of their songs enlightened the audience. They were a brilliant introduction to the night.

Followed was Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, Henry Wagons. His humour and musical capabilities combined was like a fusion of comedian Will Ferrel and country-singer Johnny Cash. He was a great entertainer and also made country music bearable to listen to.

It was time for the lovely Clare Bowditch to take the stage. Imitating Prime Minister Gillard, Bowditch jokingly introduced herself as the PM’s “fellow ranga”. She was shortly joined on stage by her band, ‘The New Slang’ aka the ladies from Aluka. Jumping straight into Between the Tea and Toast, a tranquil atmosphere on stage was established by their stillness and simplicity. Keeping to the theme of the song, Bowditch played a teapot solo (blowing in from the spout), which was a delightful element.

The night continued with the humble performance of her older songs including Divorcee By 23 and Human Being. The real highlights were the honest stories that came from the 35-year old mother, such as Lucky Life, which for the first time that evening was accompanied by the grand piano.

I Thought You Were God was another highlight as it accentuated the warmth of her voice and the song-writing skills she possesses. It is these songs that show the true colours of Clare Bowditch on stage.

Scattered throughout her set were new singles off her soon-to-be-released fifth studio album Modern Day Addiction. Songs such as You Keep Running Around The Park, Bigger Than the Money and Modern Day Addiction all had similar drum loops and an ‘80s vibe with powerful lyrical statements.

But her creation of this new genre, which she calls ‘political-disco’, only seemed to alienate her on stage from her other musical material. Singing on her Casiotone and retro-dancing away on stage did not quite suit her onstage barefootedness and rural image. Though she confidently performed each new single with a new found edge, it just seemed unnatural for the ARIA-Award winner we know and love.

The night ended with an encore performance of Empty Pockets, leaving the audience with a sense of the real Clare Bowditch they came to see and hear.

To read the review on FasterLouder head to:
http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/24512/Clare-Bowditch-and-Friends--The-Opera-House-Sydney-030610.htm

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