The Bedroom Philosopher @ ANUBar, Canberra, (2/07/09)

Tue 7th Jul, 2009 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT OUT OUR PICS HERE!

Comedy is a strong medium. It’s the dominant gene, and when it’s crossed with other forms of entertainment it draws the focus. Horror-comedies, romantic-comedies, and musical-comedy: the former is always the stronger component, and if it fails as a comedy it can’t work as the other. Justin Hazelwood, aka the Bedroom Philosopher, doesn’t have this problem. This awkward campus hero knows funny, and he’s gathered an impressive band to take his unique brand of comedy places it certainly wouldn’t otherwise.

I first got to know his idiosyncratic character through the odd little column he wrote for BMA a number of years ago. Since then he’s grown steadily, gaining national recognition through the festival circuit and exposure through Triple J, and releasing two albums with moderate success. His humour lies in gently teasing out awkward nostalgia, reassuring us not only was it okay to watch Thundercats and play our Amiga 500s and Lego and single-kick Bart Simpson skateboards, it was actually essential for guaranteed future popularity and quirky kudos!

After fellow Burnienne Josh Earl warmed our collective cockles with photos of himself dressed as Buzz-Off from He-Man and pictures of cakes from the Women’s Day Cake Book (and one that certainly wasn’t), the second half of the Renegades of Folk treated the brave locals (coldest. night. ever.) with a lengthy set of lightning quick puns, angular observational humour and some great songs. The first set consisted of just himself and his steel string, and the crowd dug it.

Such a simple formula works for comedy, too much weight can bury the joke but he really got it just right. He played his signature song I’m So Postmodern, and if I hadn’t watched Hercules Returns on the weekend it would totally rocket to the top of my – œfunniest in ages’ list. Absolute gold! He took a quick break and returned with his band to ratchet up the volume. The jokes didn’t rise to match the music but I’m not convinced they needed to. From here on in it was just pure entertainment, a nice blend of laughs and tunes.

His band was excellent. I’ll admit, anyone that incorporates a sitar into the act totally has my vote anyway, but these guys were all top-drawer. The rhythm section were tight, the drums snappy but not too flashy, the bass light and playful. Justin’s guitar was confident and precise, actually recalling John Darnielle’s work with the Mountain Goats. Their nerd-core sound was completed with a – œsidekick’ disguised as a brilliant flute player, offering not only deft jazz riffs and trills but also the most gloriously hideous polo the ANU Bar has seen since the late 80’s! The sound was great, an intelligent mix that brought out everything it needed to, but not allowing the remarkably big sounds to overcrowd the room.

After finishing with a sweet, little Kum bah ya moment with a song about his fragile little heart, we all popped our collars against the cold and broke away, but not before I snuck in a quick hello with the Philosopher himself (I have my fabulous colleague Bri to thank for the celebrity connection!). He was clearly tickled several shades of pink, and obviously gets a kick out of his own performance. You know what? So do we!

CHECK OUT OUT OUR PICS HERE!