Dan Webb, Goodnight Owl, Tessand the Typecast @ NorthcoteSocial Club, Melbourne(15/09/2010)

Wed 22nd Sep, 2010 in Gig Reviews

A frosty Wednesday evening in the season deceivingly titled ‘Spring’ signified an important event for Mr Dan Webb. Yes indeed, this spritely key guru is releasing his second EP, Hyperspace Clearance.

The night’s proceedings did not consist solely of Webb’s pianistic mastery though, and credit must be given to support acts Tessa & the Typecast and Goodnight Owl, who both laid tremendous foundations for Webb and proved again that Melbourne is bursting with musical potential.

Echoes of Sarah Blasko’s What the Sea Wants the Sea Shall Have, could be heard in the vocals of lead singer Tessa whose band opened the evening. The three remaining Typecasts provided the perfect complement to her, delivering unique and beautiful melodies

Five-piece Goodnight Owl offered further musical splendour, with each instrument given its chance to glow. Even that adorable xylophone got a run. Most notable was a song about hailing from Alice Springs, as well as their single Red Wolf, both of which possessed a wholesome, earthy sound. The closing song, we were told, was ‘about depression,’ and clearly moved the moderately sized mob that was present. Despite individual forte however, there was a strong unity between the group, and apart from a few technical sound issues and a nervous (but indeed talented) lead singer, Goodnight Owl produced a sound that can be heard in a number of innovative up and coming Aussie bands, and are very worth keeping your eyes and ears on.

Finally the aforementioned Webb and his band got their time to shine, opening with a very gutsy and jazzy accessory, The Cat Empire Horn Section. With Ross Irwin on trumpet and Kieran Conrau on trombone, the closing riff of an early song was tempted numerous times, only to dive straight into several more rounds of jamming through chorus and verse alike. Such improvisation made it a very special encounter with the intimate crowd

Having only recently returned from a trip to the US, and still apparently recovering from jet lag, this small man possessed more musical might than you could have ever expected, and Webb thus gave his Nord keyboard a workout of epic proportion. The crowd was similarly and somewhat surprisingly energetic crowd for a Wednesday evening.
A highlight of Webb’s performance was his oratorical style, that was not only evident in his singing but that continued between tunes; his ‘ramblings’ backed by drums and bass, inviting the crowd to clutch longingly to every word.

The gathered few got a taste of a track ‘never played live before’ called Weathered Mind that we were reminded could be found on the new EP. Also featured was a George Harrison song, Let It Down, with soft burps from the trombone to escort the band through the cover.

Although at times the lyrics verged on twee, the quirky sound effects (despite Webb fearing his effects pedals would play up) and all over mighty sound made the evening a triumph.

Closing song Sabotage ran similarly smoothly. Thus, for an enjoyable and eccentric finale, amidst thanking support acts, sound guys and crew, came an interlude of Pop Goes the Weasel. Fine rhyme Webb, fine rhyme.

CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT HERE