Blanche DuBois, Steve Parkin,Pippa Drysdale @ Fly by Night,Fremantle (25/8/2007)

Tue 28th Aug, 2007 in Gig Reviews

As you walk into The Fly by Night on this night, you cannot help but be overcome (in a good way) by the relaxed atmosphere and scent of incense in the air. Opening for Perth sibling songstresses Blanche DuBois’ All the Things We Never Say album launch was Cape Town-born beauty Pippa Drysdale. Now based in Perth, Drysdale enchanted all with her folk-pop songs churning out sweet melodies and hits starting with Hope Wish Pray from her latest album Helium, a song that was a finalist in the WAM Song of the Year competition back in 2006. As she continued it became apparent that she drew most of her musical inspiration from past relationships, being a self-professed break-up song queen. For musical junkies of this genre, most would liken her to Lisa Loeb and perhaps Jewel. Drysdale’s skilled lyricism sees the audience through vivid imagery of songs such as Calamine Lotion Boy and Cherry Blossom Tree.

Next up was someone familiar on the local circuit but not as a soloist. Steve Parkin, previously of Autopilot and known more recently as a member of Bob Evans’ band, impressed all with his folk-rock style tunes and well-trained vocals. His faultless performance through his set makes you wonder why he isn’t better known in the industry. Parkin was also joined on stage by Bob Evans bandmate Hugh Jennings (previously of End of Fashion) on keys and piano accordian, contributing a welcome change from standard contemporary instruments. Songs including Vacuum Man, from debut LP Sandytown, and Starlight, from his forthcoming album release, were particularly poignant tracks in his set, proving he’s still one to watch as his career takes another twist.

It wasn’t long after that sister act Blanche DuBois were brimming with confidence as they strutted on stage, busting to showcase the new material from their latest album. Nadija Begovich and sister Adriana have come a long way since their humble beginnings with debut album Raging Favourites – the duo has progressed from a folksy sound to one with more of a pop influence, the kind that makes you go into a beautiful daydream.

They kicked off the night with the track Stay from the current album and, while nearly all the songs were worth mentioning, some absolute gems were Elvis (“A tribute…” says Adriana, “…for his something something anniversary sometime last week”) and a cover of Guns n’ Roses’ Sweet Child o’ Mine that was appropriately described by Adriana as being ‘Blanche DuBois-ified’. Along with some other major changes, Adriana, who has in the past mainly filled the role of guitarist and backing vocalist, has stepped up to the microphone and recorded some lead vocals in Sweet Song. This came about when Nadija had the flu when they were scheduled to lay down guide vocals for the producer. He was so impressed that they decided to go with it and in the end produced an amazing sound.

The harmonies between these sultry sirens had the audience in awe, as many could not believe the clarity and pitch-perfect sounds from the live performance and then had them singing along to Blanche DuBois’ ever popular hit Love Only Hurts, which has been featured several times on television programs such as Home and Away and Neighbours. We can expect to hear more from these charismatic young siblings in the not-so-distant future as they left the crowd content but always wanting more.