Milk Teddy, The Motifs,Seagull @ Yah Yahs, Melbourne(26/02/10)

Thu 4th Mar, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Melburnians have quickly warmed to Yah Yahs, the newest offering from the owners of Pony and Bar Open. No wonder that walking into Yah Yahs, located on Smith Street, feels like you are entering an old establishment gig venue much like the those lovingly scattered around Melbourne. On Friday night everyone was there to see the much locally hyped Milk Teddy (widely name dropped into conversations or line-ups featuring Rat vs Possum and Love Connection). While the band has played the venue before, including supporting summer festival favourite Kid Sam, tonight would mark the beginning of a series of headliner gigs to promote the 7 inch Going to Sri Lanka.

Seagull were first up on the main stage, one of the many supporting acts and friends of the headliner. The melancholy, broody and atmospheric rockers featured strong lead vocals and guitar. These were offset against intermittent accordion, which would reappear later in the night during the headliner’s set.

Heading upstairs The Motifs followed with their wistful and sweet brand of eclectic folk pop. The upstairs room at Yah Yah’s feels like a large, somewhat sparse living room which is conducive to the audience sitting down and relaxing during sets. The headliners themselves could be seen huddled together on the floor, getting up and greetings friends and enjoying the set. The audience didn’t hush throughout and while musically The Motifs impressed with ethereal vocals and melodic hooks, a lack of strong stage presence, (which undoubtedly will come with time), was noted.

Heading back downstairs excitement was mounting for the imminent headliners performance. A majority of the crowd bustling in at eleven o’clock during the rollicking rock set from the boys of Woollen Kits.

By the time the guys and gals of Milk Teddy kicked off, the room was tightly packed with excited and devoted friends and fans. * Thomas Bjorn Mendelovits* on lead vocals and guitar started things rolling with noticeable calls outs to friends and “Carnegie”. The four piece are steadily building a name for themselves playing lush indie rock that is as wistful and fun as it is reflective and technically ambitious. Their opening did not disappoint on this count, the combination of guitar, accordion, keyboards and drums living up to the hype and expectations.

As the set progressed first timers would have be struck by the collective musical prowess presented on stage, with seamless instrument transitions of the leading ladies whether it be accordion, base, keyboards or guitar, let alone vocals. Going to Sri Lanka stood out as well Zingers, a song likely to make it’s way onto any future album.

The crowd throughout seemed extremely receptive, although the proportion of close friends to unknowing fans was hard to discern. Between songs Mendelovits repeatedly thanked the friends in previous bands, joked off any mistakes make during the song, thanked friends again and pointed out more friends. While inclusive to some the constant friend on friend ribbing may have left those not on the inner circle, well, logically on the outer. That said, there was no doubt everyone involved was having a fun and the intimacy of the gig was certainly infectious. As time goes on, Milk Teddy’s following should grow and the unilateral confidence and stage performance side of the show will naturally bloom . The bands impromptu and informal takes between songs will come to a happy and entertaining medium rather than a slightly nervous and exclusive distraction from the musical performances of some very gifted musicians.