The Falls Festival is one of those rare festivals that encourages the local scene by billing local acts alongside international headliners. Two local artists were selected at Hobart’s Falls Festival Showcase: singer-songwriter Adam Cousens and rockabilly three-piece The No Nos.
A capacity crowd was drawn to the Republic Bar to see a grab bag of Hobart’s up-and-coming acts. As well as the eventual winners, Dean Stevenson, Enola Fall and Red Rival also played.
The No Nos were favourites to win a spot on the line-up. Their sound is a mix between rockabilly, 50s pop and 60s surf rock, delivered with a basic, unrelenting and immediately danceable beat. There are flashes of guitar over the top – sometimes with an unmistakable rockabilly twang, other times with shimmering blues runs and bends.
The lyrics are standard fare: cars, girls, parties, but it works. It all fitted together perfectly and more than anything, it showed just how unique the No Nos are in the local scene. They sounded completely different to every other artist.
Meanwhile, Adam Cousens won through with a soulful acoustic set. Inspiration for the songs was drawn from a lifetime of travels and experiences. His voice is graceful, gravely and distinct and his guitar playing, while occasionally straying into Jack Johnson territory, was a great compliment to his singing.
Dirty Harry and the Rockets and the Dean Weldon Band were the winners from the Launceston heat.
The winners of both heats will play at the Falls Festival in Marion Bay, Tasmania over the New Year’s break.
