Bertie Blackman @ Revolver,Melbourne (12/03/09)

Sat 14th Mar, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Sydney singer/ songwriter Bertie Blackman is what I call an artist who is not afraid to create music that continues to grow, what comes to mind is an artist who never plays by the rules, an artist who does what she feels. That’s why her career has never been solidly one thing, or one sound. Her debut release in 2004, Headway, was more acoustic based, Black her second LP more rockier, and now she shows us another side as she launches her new release Secrets and Lies, a mix of deep rock and electro, as she made it along side producer Lee Groves (Goldfrapp, Gwen Stefani).

Revolver Upstairs started to fill and I could feel the anticipation grow as we waited for her and her band to take stage. Tonight was all about Bertie Blackman, a showcase specifically held to perform the new material off the album to friends, family, media and dedicated fans.

The gig began with the sounds and imagery of a clock ticking faster and faster projected back of stage, the music that went with it was dark, mysterious. Right away I could feel what this album was going to be about. Blackman and her band entered to a cheer by the audience. She was dressed in all black, with silver glistening shoes, her necklace was a big key dangling, which has been the recent imagery of all her new artwork for the album. The band was extremely tight, and all members had a really strong presence on stage. The line up consisted of keys; synths, drums, bass guitar and Blackman performed most of the set with her guitar.

What really worked throughout was the mix of rock and electro, the set began with the rockier songs, and then she left us with the electro gritty songs that really blew me away. Because I was not familiar with any of the songs, I found myself staring up at her in amazement as I watched her body shake to the songs in an unusual yet playful way. She definitely had something about her that was unrecognisable. Her voice was raw, and when she really belted out notes, her voice soared. Then she went into falsetto easily with high notes that gave her a more pure tone. I really could not fault her singing.

To me she is like a new PJ Harvey but with a more electro edge, although she seems as though she is not influenced by anyone else but herself, as her style is truly unique. For me highlights of the set were track Thump, it is pop at its best, rocky guitar and bass lines, skilful drumming and a thumping heart breakdown where Blackman really showcases her eccentric nature. The whole bands energy during this track was really high and the crowd felt this and started to dance around. Byrds Of Prey, was also another standout track, a dark electro track that featured synths, electronic drums and a new sound for Blackman. Baby Teeth also another track that really shook the place, before Blackman admitted that she had kept her baby teeth, she brought in more dirty synths, sexy seductive vocals and a deep and dark sound, I could really picture this track in a club, but it still had its gritty rock moments as well. Shout Out is when we really got to hear the talent of Blackman’s voice as she did this track just with vocals and guitar, as the band rested. She mentioned that this track was about her friend, and was a very special track to her.

Stand out track of the night was the first single that is off the album, Heart it has just been released to radio a couple of days ago. It is pop infused electro and got the whole crowd going. It began with the whole band clapping, and electro drums entered with unique and well thought out beats and dirty wavering synth lines. The chorus was more pop with a catchy vocal and heavy live drums. I am sure you will all be hearing this track soon.

Bertie’s voice is seductive, sexy and extremely powerful. A great showcase of an album that I am sure is set to go really well.