The Bakery with its patterned papered walls was the venue for Holly Throsby’s first north of the river gig. On the direction of tour staff she began her western meanderings in Dunsborough and then took the bitumen up to Perth with advice to visit both the most isolated capital in the world and its port sister city as audiences were unlikely to travel to the other shore to see a gig. Interesting then that her Fremantle gig was set up at Mojo’s and didn’t quite make it across the waters.
The intimate indi venues selected for the western weekend suited the songstress who with support by local acts Benedict Moleta and Apricot Rail soothed Saturday’s spectators.
Showcasing her newest album A Loud Call, Throsby was aware of the mixed crowd she is able to draw; from the album owners to the curious and the presentation of songs allowed all to take it in and stimulate interest.
Throsby’s silky-whispered call drew ears into the forlorn lyrics and exposed a trepidation that is raw -yet guarded for the singer, about the contrast between the acts of writing the lyrics and performing them.
The multi-instrumentation included on the album was going to be difficult to replicate for the sheer variety of instruments emerging to support the lilting vocal. Attempts made to produce similar effects often overshadowed the apparent effortlessness of the compositions yet were admirable efforts by the three musicians on stage whose talents demonstrated the adage ‘many hands make light work’.
Joining Throsby on stage were Bree van Reyk on drums, percussion, accordion and keyboard and Jens Birchall on mandolin, acoustic and bass guitar and cello. Lingering fades and punctuated dynamics gave poignancy to showpieces Warm Jets and One of You for Me. A repeat rendition of You Am I’s Berlin Chair from a recent Like A Version for Triple J was eagerly devoured.
Simple, sweet and soothing Throsby offered an evening of honesty and playful banter as a pleasing alternative.
antzpantz
said on the 25th Sep, 2008