Gareth Liddiard @ FremantleArts Centre, Perth (12/11/10)

Fri 19th Nov, 2010 in Gig Reviews

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Sonic Sessions is a series of intimate concerts hosted by Grammy award winning Lucky Oceans, where music and conversation are combined to present the ‘Stars of Australian Music.’ In previous years, the likes of Don Walker (Cold Chisel), Bob Evans (Jebediah) and seminal Hank B Marvin (The Shadows) have all graced the Arts Centre’s colonial Gothic surroundings.

This evening it was the turn of one of Australia’s song writing treasures, Gareth Liddiard, gaining his recognition as the front man of the band The Drones, who have in the last decade earned industry wide respect the country over. This show was the first of two home town dates on a solo tour, promoting songs from his recent album release Strange Tourist, that Liddiard says “sounds exactly like The Drones, but with less of them”.

The setting was neatly arranged in the courtyard, with garden chairs positioned as if for a wedding. A modest, low lit stage held a single chair and microphone and an elaborate pedal steel guitar rested on the right, where the evening’s host and interviewer would reside.

Liddiard entered the stage armed with an acoustic guitar and effects pedal, looking like a jagged working musician after a late night in the studio. After a minor technical hitch with the sound system, he began with the classic Drones’ track Shark Fin Blues, much to the appreciation of the audience. Oceans’ country music influenced accompaniment on the pedal slide guitar, softened the edges of Liddiard’s low tone chords and gritty vocals.

Oceans began the interview by asking Liddiard how he felt about the song they had just performed and about writing in general. Liddiard remarked that there are certain tracks that lose their appeal over time, “It’s been so over played, you start thinking about other things while performing it, like: Shit did I lock the front door”

Oceans encouraged Liddiard to delve into the early years of his musical journey, touching on his musical heritage and early influences. Amusing tales of first jobs and early band experiences came forth, talking about the ‘optimistic’ age of the young musician, where songs were more about vanity and pride, than anything else. The mood was one of light hearted banter between old friends, with an undertone of sincerity throughout.

It took a further twenty minutes before the instruments sounded again, this time with the album title track Strange Tourist. Liddiard’s songs are lead by the story telling lyrics rather than the melody. His words roll out with authenticity, yet simple guitar strums meander, adding expression and dynamic to the intensity of the poetic verse.

The night’s focus was more on conversation than music, which may have been a disappointment for some attendees, who might have expected more of a musical performance. For the avid followers of The Drones and Liddiard’s ability to lead the listener into his dark world of words, the evening was a worthy indulgence.

Between the talking sessions, more songs from the album came forth, yet the only solo performance (without Oceans on the Slide guitar) was Did she scare all your friends away? which was a highlight. Slow arpeggios of the acoustic guitar intertwined with the deep bass string rhythms during verses, while the chorus crescendos amongst swirling tones, from minor to major and back. Liddiard’s intensity the whole time was compelling.

Toward the end of the evening the conversation lacked some of the spontaneity and interest that was evident earlier on, it seemed that maybe the musicians could have concentrated more on what they are obviously talented at. As an antidote to the stagnated dialogue, the audience were invited to ask questions from the floor.

Before concluding, Liddiard and Oceans performed High Plains Meltdown and finished off what was an intriguing glimpse into the inner working of this formidable songwriter, whose life experiences on the road have seemingly moulded his style and ability to write songs that will remain encapsulated in time.

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