Seekae, Bon Chat Bon Rat, ZealLive @ The Gate, Sydney(18/09/10)

Tue 21st Sep, 2010 in Gig Reviews

On a so called spring evening, the frigid walk from the car to Sydney’s newest DIY venue “The Gate” was one of very few qualms to be had. The venue’s tenants and curators are Joe and Carly Hardy, two Ryde-sided individuals who have literally opened their gate to live music and the unpredictable upshots that occur when 100 strangers converge in the backyard.

Fortunately, the couple are no dummies, just passionate about cultivating a live music alternative for the open minded show goer. The Gate is a two tiered grassy knoll (or “Yard”), the upper laid out as an improvised stage and the lower as standing area. Power streams from all quarters (including several of the neighbor’s outlets), into a basic PA and lighting rig. The rest is all stars, moonlight and a three band bill.

With a decent number of punters seated, Melbourne solo artist Zeal launched the night after short lived computer troubles. In very a brief summary, the set to follow was a beard scratching mix of electronica and Jack Black channelled through a Guitar Hero Explorer. Backing tracks of varying quality created a canvas for experimentation and some “eclectic” vocal stylings. Rap even got involved at some point. The all encompassing conundrum was that Zeal clearly lacked the inner dialogue required to self censor his more far flung material. As such, he was faithfully committed to all of it, the results of which could have either been penned as contrived, embarrassing or even admirable. Perhaps a heady mix of all three.

Two BYO’s later and Bon Chat Bon Rat were minutes into a hypnotic swell of vocoder and ambient guitar loops. It quickly became a much needed reprieve from the errors of the previous act, as they rode a decidedly European wave of electronic music that was intelligently executed, although at times not entirely thought provoking. Regardless, it was a solid half hour that brought to mind traces of The Knife and Gary Numan. Their cover of Everything But The Girl’s Missing featured impressive harmonies, and if you weren’t versed in the charts of yesteryear, you’d be excused for mistaking it as a BCBR original.

An even further array of Samplers, laptops and keys were piled onstage as Seekae made their preparations. The Gate was near full as the three piece released a lush wave of technicolor synth that was Disney-esque and instantly captivating. Live beats locked into programmed grooves as myriad cuts and slices littered the set. New material showed great promise, and sat welcomely amongst older songs Void and the closing number Snax.

Seekae are an act that have sifted through every blip, glitch and stutter with meticulous detail and blown them up in glorious stereo. The few little audio spikes they didn’t catch were easily dismissed, considering the sheer amount of stacked sonic activity coming from every corner of the mix. The songwriting speaks for itself, but it is their attention to detail that makes Seekae such a unique and exciting live act to behold. What’s more, to see them in a similarly unique environment and have it sound this good was a very special thing for everyone privileged enough to catch it. Our amazing hosts Joe and Carly should be applauded if this becomes standard fare at The Gate.