w/ Mosman Alder
And we're back at The Spiegletent as part of Brisbane Festival. This is a good thing in itself however, what makes it even better is the fact that the lovely and fabulous Kimbra was going to grace us with her music making.
Mosman Alder, it's been quite a while. And I'm delighted to say they've come a long way. I love the way the band incorporates a violin seamlessly into the texture of the songs, while also taking on the melody work on numerous occasions also. When this did happen, it was usually the violin and the keys playing a doubled melody while the rest of the band baked. This really did make for a texture unique to the band. Two things - first, if you're going to thank your audience, give them a chance to think for themselves and decide if they are actually going to applaud your work before thanking them for thanking you causing obligatory applause. That actually annoys me. Thank an audience after they start applauding your songs. And second, if you're going to play music as a profession, look excited to be there. Nuff said. In saying all this though, I do like this band, especially 'Raisin Heart'. The frontman's gorgeous baritone really does shine though in this.
Mosman Alder played an incredibly short set. This was both a good and bad thing - good in that we could get to Kimbra, and bad because I wanted to hear more. Seriously, I have to say this. There is a line between "amateur" professional musicians and professional musicians. Tonight it was obvious that the line between the likes of an act such as Mosman Alder and Kimbra was no fine line, but a vast field. The difference in the caliber of performance was phenomenal! What I'm talking about has nothing to do with the songs themselves, but in how they are delivered, presented, and more importantly, performed! Kimbra and her band (which included a guy on drums with his hair styled in a Flat Top, and a pretty impressive one at that) were what can only be described as tight. Flawless in their execution even. Not only is Kimbra herself as mad as a spoon in the best possible way when she performs, but also there was no hint of doubt, uncertainty or any of the like at any moment in her performance. Everything was planned down to the tee, and she even managed a costume change! Seriously! Who does that! It was freaking awesome. The band played on, and she left, and returned in a different dress two minutes later. On a musical note, Kimbra is insane. Just so, so incredibly talented. Her voice goes to extremes I could only dream of, yet it's so well controlled. Also, she works with the loop machine with such precision, laying down a dense foundation before layering the melody over the top. Words can not quite describe how incredible this young lady is. And when you're in a room with only a "few" other people (remember we're at The Spiegletent, and it's quite the tiny) it was something that I'm not going to forget for a long, long while.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say best gig of the year so far. Mmm. Yep.
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