Crayon Fields @ Wattle StreetO'Connor, Canberra (07/12/08)

Wed 10th Dec, 2008 in Gig Reviews

In the vaguely boho suburb of O’Connor, nestled within Canberra’s inner north, sits 1 Wattle Street – a non-descript weatherboard / brick veneer house and a relic of Canberra’s post-war residential boom. On a sultry Sunday afternoon the backyard of this unassuming address provided the setting for the type of garden party that indie-pop dreams are made of.

Currently touring the nation to promote their first ever 7-inch single Mirror Ball, Crayon Fields made a surprise detour to Canberra, thanks to local promoters Birds Love Fighting. The gig garnered awareness through word-of-mouth and an open event invitation through social networking site, Facebook. Upon arrival, punters were led up the front driveway through a wooden gate and into a shabby, yet nonetheless inviting, garden. The overarching attitude: mi casa es su casa.

The assembled crowd was a patchwork of gypsy-inspired camisoles, cotton spandex leggings, skinny jeans and, of course, this season’s de rigueur indie kid item: vintage flannel shirts. Still fragile from the previous night’s revelry and with the temperature pushing 30 degrees, most sat in the shady fringes of the overgrown garden path, sipping from king browns. One resourceful punter draped the hills hoist in a burgundy throw rug, creating an impromptu tepee and providing cool relief from the afternoon sun.

This DIY sensibility sat perfectly with the dreamy twee-pop harmonies of Crayon Fields. Mirror Ball constitutes the Melbourne four pieces first release since 2006’s well received Animal Bells LP and is the precursor to their highly anticipated sophomore effort All the Pleasures of the World, which is currently slated for a March 2009 release.

For a band that has shared stages with such luminaries as The New Pornographers, Peter Bjorn & John, and Built to Spill, you would have forgiven Geoff O’Connor (vocals, guitar), Brett Hudson (bass), Chris Hung (guitar) and Neil Erenstrom (drums) for being under whelmed by their surrounds. But, as day turned to dusk and the mosquito repellent incense was lit, it was evident that Crayon Fields don’t discriminate according to venue.

Their set was littered with old favourites, Helicopters, Impossible Things as well as a spattering of new tracks from the forthcoming All the Pleasures of the World. O’Connor’s naïve melodic lilt conveyed a gentle eloquence that was as soothing as the summer breeze.

If this tour is anything to go by, Mirror Ball is less a single and more a statement of intent. Keep you eyes on this space, because it’s fair to say we’ll be hearing a lot more from Crayon Fields.