Tantivy Fair @ The JadeMonkey, Adelaide (23/07/09)

Tue 28th Jul, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Unassuming newcomers to the Adelaide scene, Tantivy Fair, played their debut gig at The Jade Monkey on Thursday the 23rd of July. The young duo of singer/guitarist, Walter Marsh and keyboardist, Dom Davis, introduced the audience to their version of gentle folk music, mixed with subtle funk undertones. Melodic and warming, their sound is mostly as you would expect from their line up, reminiscent of other relaxed styles of music such as Josh Pyke. However, on occasion they did mix it up with some well timed pre-programmed drum loops and heavier chord progressions in the later part of the set.

Tantivy Fair is really the music of Marsh, whose vocal style of soft sounds with nasal twang accenting the vowels, creates an atmosphere for reflection and questioning.

The choice of set list flowed comfortably, easing the audience into the performance with the soft tones of Half a Mast and the lyrically powerful Notes before funking it up with Nothing New complete with a light hearted audience “clap-a-long”. The “old” song from the set, Treehouse with its unexpected drum loop was a clear favourite with the head- nodding crowd and brought a well timed punch of energy to the performance.

Juxaposed to the youth of the duo, the lyrical depth resonated, speaking of life questions and loss in a subtle, but effective manner. Marshes’ obvious connection to his lyrics and the sincerity of his delivery, suggest a burgeoning talent that is just beginning to be discovered. His stage presence is sure to cement itself in future gigs, but the light humour of his between songs banter carried well with the crowd; his modest demeanour adding nicely to the joke of his choice to “butcher” a childhood favourite by “some little artist…Neil Young”, before respectfully covering Harvest Moon.

While the guitar forms the main musical focus, the accents from the keyboard, set to sound like an organ, highlight the song structures well, showing the potential of this newly formed duo.

Unexpected, but pleasing to see, was the understated but notable enthusiasm of the audience. A sizable group of young adults, all watched with interest and were happy to join in when asked by Marsh. When the last song of the evening, Oh Miss Grey was introduced, everyone in the room found themselves jigging to the upbeat tune.

Their sound complimented the venue well, Tantivy Fair are the pair you would expect to see at The Jade Monkey. While only new to the world of live performance, the duo showed they have talent and music worthy of sharing and pitched their performance suitably for their audience.