Justin Carter, Johnny Rollins,& Ashleigh Mannix @ TransitBar, Canberra (19/8/10)

Sun 22nd Aug, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Rocking up to Transit Bar on a cold and blustery Thursday night, I was hanging for some live music. I was also glad to be out and away from anything remotely election-related! And I could tell that I wasn’t the only one. Although the crowd took their time to roll in, there was a vibe of anticipation and enthusiasm in the air.

I was ready to forget about the wind, rain and cold, and be taken to a place of summer warmth, chilled vibes, and coastal tunes. After the release of his previous album, Whatever Happened to Real Music? and winning the Apollo Bay Music Festivals Young Songwriters Award in 2007, Justin Carter’s latest offering is Painting Pictures. The Warming Winter tour celebrating the release of Painting Pictures was just the thing to beat the remaining winter blues. A good dose of blues and roots, coupled with lyrics to make you feel one with nature. Supported by Canberran singer/songwriter Ashleigh Mannix, you could not ask for a better night of independent talent.

As I walked in through the side entrance at Transit, I bumped into Justin Carter. I must admit, I was slightly awe-struck and had to remind myself to be cool! But the nervousness was totally unnecessary. His enthusiasm was infectious, and filled with the same ease and warmth that radiates throughout his songs. Carter chatted happily about all sorts of things: life on the road, his time touring in Japan earlier this year, his plans to record his next album once the tour finishes, and his life outside of music.

Sitting down and having a beer with Justin, the first thing that struck me was that he is truly generous – with his fans, his time and his love for music. While talking with him, an obvious fan came up to show his appreciation for his music. As the guy returned to his friends, Justin said (more to himself than to me!), “Stoked! That’s why I do this [play music]”. Later on, I spied Justin sitting with this man and talking like they had been mates for years. It was so inspiring to see how much he values his fans.

The night kicked off just after 9 pm, with Ashleigh Mannix’s folk-infused melodies, showcasing the depth of her musical talent. She commentated on a couple of the pool games between songs, which endeared her to the punters. But it was her raw and soulful song delivery that had the room’s attention. Some of highlights included Cigarettes and Chanel, and May I Have This Dance?, from her EP Sparkle, and Power of a Girl from EP My First. Mannix also treated the crowd with a new untitled song, and a haunting interpretation of Curtis Mayfield’s gospel track, People Get Ready. she has also recorded a live album from one of her performances at Tilley’s, which is a must!

Justin Carter and long time friend and collaborator, Johnny Rollins, continued the night with an array of songs, including a number of tracks from the album Painting Pictures such as Why, and Devil. With each song you are taken away to a better (and warmer) place. Both Carter and Rollins’ story-telling abilities complements their rustic rock, blues influenced tunes. A personal highlight from the gig was one of Carter’s memory from the Victorian Bushfire tragedy earlier in 2010, and how this tale affected him through song.

The night finished on a high with a group of punters ripping up the dance floor to One Step Two. All who attended were well satisfied with the awesome talent on display. I’m telling you now, I’ll be looking out for Ashleigh Mannix’s next outing, and waiting for the next time Carter and Rollins come back to the Capital. Do yourself a favour and do the same and check out his website for future tour dates. Amazing!