Sofar Sounds Sydney: 11th August 2015

Words by Stephanie Miller for Dreams of Sun.

Pics by Megan Carew Photography & Design. Check out more here.

There was a change of scene tonight hosting Sofar in a public bar. Play Bar featured bar tenders and plenty of chairs while the usual private homes feature pots and pans and plenty of floor space. However different, Play Bar embodied what we all know and love about Sofar: a cosy atmosphere, plenty of local music groupies and a whole lot of fairy lights.

American born, Sydney based Danielle Deckard was up first with her delicate folksy tone and partner Phil, who happened to be sporting a shoe tambourine – the first one I’ve ever seen! Sleep was a perfectly pitched combination of sweet lyrics and ooh-oh-oohs that I would happily listen to as I drifted to. Launching in to Everything that never happened with “I don’t want to get to 33 with my whole life behind me” she spoke directly to almost everyone in the room as we reflected on our age and stance in life. 

Danielle contrasts the LeAnn Rimes yodel-like leanings in her voice with softer wispy phrases very stylishly. Her final song opened with a single acoustic guitar and delicate vocals - “you should know that I am here to stay, so put that ring away”.  Phil chimed in at verse two and even though his presence wasn’t intrusive, with such a heartfelt melody and subject matter I would have preferred Danielle to continue on unaccompanied – I think the song may have struck more of a chord in that style. 

Harrison Storm from Melbourne was warmly welcomed to the stage next – possibly because our Sydney crowd was emboldened by the fact that he has yet to perform at the Melbourne Sofar Sounds – we claimed him first Melbourne! The crowd applauded the first song wholeheartedly. It was full of sweet high notes and beautiful bluesy electric guitar. The female vocals were ideally complementary to Harrison’s strong crooning tone and there were some great harmonies hit right on pitch. As Ruby and Justin swapped instruments they progressed into their second song with soft chords and a slow introduction of vocals – the kind of music you listen to when contemplating life, love and the universe. “Your father’s made you all that you’ve become” was my favourite lyric of the night – it resonated with me and my own relationship and my father, as I’m sure it did for many in the room. 

Their final number made me feel as if I was in one of the Twilight Saga movies….but in the best way possible! Harrison Storm is one talented singer songwriter blessed with a killer duo with the right musical skills to back him up. My pick of the night.  

Lead singer Jessica of our third act Noire silenced the crowd with her sound check before the set had even started. Jess isn’t one of those people who opens their mouth and your reaction is “woah I didn’t expect THAT to come out of THEM”; this tall elegant lady suits her long echoey voice completely. Their sound is reminiscent of the XX with a mix of electronic sounds and reverb vocals. They seemed to be chasing the beat a little towards the middle of their set, but that’s the risk you take when using electronics instead of live drums. A little more crowd interaction may have strengthened the bond between the band and us Sofar groupies, but they were a strong act with a clear direction and are sure to keep attracting the spotlight as they continue playing.

Finishing the night was soul band Josué and the SouldBenders. The lively lead vocals and guitar melodies were backed up by the balanced support of the band. Their style seemed a little out of the norm for Sofar, however Sofar is all about giving up-and-coming creative locals their time in the (fairy) lights, and I enjoyed the addition of a new genre to the night. A few jugs of Sangria and more space for a dance floor and you may have had some sloppy salsa-dancing going on.

With new venues and new musical styles explored in tonight’s Sofar I’m keen to see where the next one will take us.

Sofar Sounds Sydney: 29th July, 2015

Words by Georgina Lochhead for bangersbangerz

Photos by Laura Arango Photography - more pics found here.

As far as secret gigs go, Sofar Sounds Sydney (scuse’ the alliteration overload) are consistent not only in their ability to pick bands that show up and smash it, but choose venues that ooze that live music ‘no fuss about this’ scene that make the whole concept so special. July was no different. Tucked in the back streets of St Peters, a shabby warehouse decorated with mix match furniture, large cut out flamingos and random kitsch ornaments, provided suffice shelter for acoustics to bounce off its tin walls, and plenty of space for the keen gig goers to seek shelter from the wintery air outside and indulge in the talent provided. With a cold beer to boot, of course. Thanks Trolley’d for playing host!

Local singer / songwriter Molly Contogeorge opened the show. Boasting jazzy-pop rhythms and husky vocals, her songs provide a little of that piano bar vibe backed by blues and a little funk. Opening with ‘Glasshouse Living’, a track from her first EP, it had a slow and steady pace, with only a few notes on the keys to back it and a consistent beat. Jazzing it up she kicked into  'Bang Bang', a track that lyrically is quite dark, but the up and down transition of the keys and growl of her voice in certain areas, distract you from the darkness it entails and make it a bit more of an upbeat number. She played ‘Bad Boy’, a sassy track also from her 2013 EP Dames, and considering a cover is always a crowd pleaser, she threw in a little Bee Gees 'Stayin' Alive' for good measure.

There's a lot to say about an artist who can dominate the stage with as little as an acoustic guitar and her voice, and lure you in, leaving you wanting more. Gena Rose Bruce is exactly that. Hailing from Melbourne, she bragged that Sydney was her first Sofar gig, which makes you wonder why the folk of Melbourne haven't been banging down her door begging for her participation. She's brilliant! There's something seductive about her voice, she’s got a sound similar to Little Birdy's Katy Steele, mixed with a Lana Del Rey vibe. At times her execution was soft, at others more grungy, tortured and raw. 

She played 'My Girl', a recent release, and 'Vulnerable' a track she said she was trying out on us, as she mentioned that we seemed like a "forgiving audience", not one to judge too harshly should it not go as she planned. But it was 'Dark Side', a song about cheating on someone that hit the home run. There wasn’t a sound in the room that would take the attention away from her and what the song represented. It had a painful undertone but for a lot of people it was probably scarily relatable. She nailed her performance and I can assure you, she is one to keep your eye on in 2015! 

The night took a folky turn, introducing Sydney based 5 piece Lacey Cole & the Lazy Colts. All five of them, instruments in tow, squeezed onto the stage and looked right at home in their neighbourhood. You can tell they have been frequenting Sydney's pub scenes showcasing their music for a while now, they fit the outfit perfectly. If blues and roots and "cinematic rock & roll" backed with tortured, dark vocals is your thing, this band provide a variation of all of that. 

Their lyrics tell stories of adventure and take you on a journey into their world. 'Higher Ground', a track written about the suburb of St Peter's, boasted nice guitar riffs, and plenty of violin to sharpen the sound. Other songs such as 'Sock and Shoe' were darker, featuring keys that sounded like an organ, with sound focusing around the violin and intricate guitar work. Finishing off with 'Kraken' saw them leave on a triumphant big band finish, with enthusiasm similar to a Mumford & Sons show. Their new single 'Absent Gods & Painted Horses' is available now. Check it out.      

To set the scene of the next hit duo, Sydney's The Sweet Jelly Rolls, imagine Costa from Gardening Australia and the talented Australian cousin of City & Colours’ Dallas Green, put them together in party shirts, chuck in a harmonica, a guitar, some unique tunes and you got yourself a hoedown my friends. The Sweet Jelly Rolls are a hoot, on a musical front but also from an entertainment perspective!  

Their style boasts a broad range from country and western, blues folk and Americana, giving them a whole lot of character, and an ability to cater to a wide audience. After a long sound check, they began with their cracker 'Do Me In The Hayloft Tonight'. Boasting cheeky lyrics, harmonies and plenty of sharp, quick strums of guitar, it had the crowd foot tapping and thigh slappin' the whole way through. 'Rodeo Woman' took a more soul direction vocally, and the harmonica featured massively again, taking the tiny instruments ability to create such a unique sound to a whole new level. 'Sweet Eileen' and an encore finished their set on a jolly high. With an equal talent to banter as they make their music, The Sweet Jelly Rolls ensured they bought home the show and picked up a few new fans along the way. I'd love to see these chameleons on stage again soon, until you see for yourself, I don’t think you’re ready for their sweet jelly! 

A special mention to the crew at Trolley'd for their unique customer service skills, generous servings and quenching the thirst of the guests and bands throughout the course of the evening.  

Sofar Sounds London: May 5, 2015

In Peckham, south London, three acts – all of whom knew each other and had previously performed together – descended on the open plan living space of a contemporary home a stone’s throw from the fun and frenzied Rye Lane.

Hardly any of the attendees, as usual, knew one another and, while sipping the bottles of beer each of us had just bought in the off licence 15 minutes prior, a highly-charged anticipation filled the room.

Tonight would see a delectable and well suited line-up of Roo Panes, Dancing Years and Josh Flowers and The Wild play in front of friends and strangers.

First off, however, with bums on cushions, our Sofar host told us to turn to a person we didn’t know and give them a “90s fist bump”. With that very action cementing the community spirit Sofar lives and breaths by, we were ready to start.

The beginning of Roo Panes set was hilariously punctuated by the doorbell going off –a shy latecomer attempting (and failing) to come in unnoticed.

Panes, who often performs his dreamy folk with an accompanying viola and cello, was this time alone, guitar in hand and sans mic. His onstage presence is modest, though power exudes from the realism of his melancholy tone and loving, earnest lyrics.

A further 10 gig-goers were sat above our heads on a mezzanine, who looked down onto the stage and a Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band poster adoring the wall behind the performers.

Dancing Years, a five piece band from Leeds, were second up. On the brink of something major, last year the band went on a UK tour with George Ezra and was also eyed up by Huw Stephens, playing at the DJ’s long-standing monthly music night at The Social in central London.

Places We’ve Roamed is a 2014 song by school friends Dancing Years. The song’s wistful indie folk and longing, instrumental breaks gave us listeners goose bumps. “We felt like explorers with our whole lives before us”, lead singer David Henshaw echoed through the room.

Moving away from the folk that preceded it, Josh Flowers and the Wild (the last act of the night) dived straight into bluesy rock & roll, colouring their tracks with rough, gravelly vocals. Squiff Wordsworth, the band’s cellist and one of its singers, was an amazing sight – a burly, bearded man lightly and deftly controlling his string instrument with the grace of a seven-year-old ballerina.

Josh Flowers, the lead singer and guitarist (and impressively also the harmonicist), was at one point singing to the audience as if it were a sermon, before getting us all to join in as if trying to convert us. It didn’t take much; he was preaching to the converted. We lapped up the band’s dirty rock and happily chorused our way through the aptly-named Holy Roller.

At the end of their set, they grabbed Roo Panes and Dancing Years back up to the front to do a cover of Velvet Underground’s Pale Blue Eyes – quite possibly the best end to this incredible night.

Words: Natasha Culzac

Photos: Hayley Connaughton www.hayleyconnaughton.com

Sofar Sounds Minneapolis: March 8, 2015

For International Women’s Day 2015, Sofar Sounds Minneapolis hosted a show in conjunction with other Sofar Sounds cities worldwide on March 8th. With such a hotbed of musical talent - all genders included - in the Twin Cities, we were grateful to have such a diverse pool to choose from. Our hosts Eli and Nina welcomed us into their gorgeous and historic home on the edge of Minnehaha Creek for a night of stunning sights and sounds. 

Warehouse Eyes, the fabulous duo of Jennie Lahlum and Chris Williams - who hosted our holiday gig back in December - opened our March show with their elegant dream-pop tunes. Beats filled in for the rest of the absent band, but I doubt anyone felt they were missing out. Lahlum’s vocals are captivating: both grounded and ethereal. Her classically trained voice is one of few who can hit the really (really) high notes without a trace of feeling harsh or too loud. And as she sighed “is this love?,” there was only one answer for us all: yes. 

Lahlum’s expressive hand motions, keeping our eyes focused, cued the crowd in during a sing-a-long to their third tune, “Drive,” while Williams kept the keys going. These two have strong chemistry and work ethic, and Warehouse Eyes has had a busy last two years. Their first EP Carvings came out in 2014 and now this five-piece is releasing their second EP Prisms in June of this year. Stayed tuned for when you should show up to Icehouse in a few short months. 

Niki Becker was up next, performing with band member Shawn Davis. Becker, no newcomer to the Minneapolis music scene, has a mature and soulful sound - but a fun and slightly southern one at that. This minimalist set, without the full lineup of band mates, highlighted the thought put into her lyrics and compositions. As “come close if you want to, but only if you want to” grew in emphasized repetition on her second tune, I felt something in me shift. Becker speaks simply, hailing from older sounds to create modern classics. 

Although most of her set was on the slower side, the last tune - a new single titled “Safety Mode” - picked up the pace with a more upbeat and driving tempo. Niki Becker has been working on many more new songs, and will be releasing a new album this year. See her solo on April 15th at the Aster Cafe opening for Katy Vernon, and then catch the new album Reactor and release show out mid-June of this year. 

Finally, Jessica Manning. Oh. Oh those vocals. I could listen all day to her rich, soulful, and clear tones. Joined by Zach Brose on electric guitar, Manning combined the compositions of her acoustic strings with the versatility of her voice for an intimate closing set. Elements of jazz and soul, as well as a floating atmosphere not unlike that of Angels and Airwaves, weave themselves together to create a modern sense of soul: the perfect soundtrack for sunrise or sunset.

In their first tune, Brose’s guitar soloing mimicked that of strings, and for a moment I felt myself among a string quartet. In the second, I was struck by Manning’s lyrics: “...going to the place where skies don’t fall into you.” Her words speak of a wisdom far beyond her years, but her ego does not follow. Manning is a genuine and enthusiastic spirit, with a rich musical and international upbringing. She grew up in Sweden, with her father as a strong musical influence. And I’m tempted to say that the former was a strong influence in style. 

In the recent past, Manning recorded a song in LA with Colbie Caillat’s guitarist (at the time), and next she looks forward to making an LP with a newer sound - incorporating electronic sounds and samples from influences such as Kevin Garrett. Find Jessica Manning live this month at Bryant Lake Bowl on April 25th opening for fellow Sofar Minneapolis alum Jourdan Myers. 

It’s already inspiring to be a part of something as wide-reaching and celebratory of music as Sofar Sounds. But when the global community of Sofar comes together on one day, no matter how far apart, to support and listen to musicians who historically - and still today - tend to get a bit less of the limelight, it brings us all much closer together. Hey guys, let’s do this again next year.  

Words by Kelsey Simpkins

Photos by Joel Menk

Sofar Sounds Buenos Aires 21st March 2015

by: Sonja D'cruze

ph: María Laffitte

I love music, I love people and I love being nosy. Sofar Sounds feeds my three hungry addictions. The curious behind closed doors feel fits hand in glove with Buenos Aires’ ‘puerta cerada’ culture. Nothing is was it seems. It often looks like there is, nothing. But in the sleepier back streets of San Telmo, I found Sofar’s nondescript gated entrance cloaking the exquisite house of some of the coolest parents you’re ever going to meet. Parents of one cool son, Julian, the lead singer of Nidos, band number two on the line up.

Happily nestled on a floor of beautiful Porteño faces (the people of Buenos Aires) in a house stacked with art, our ears were tickled with musical treats. Who knows if it had something to do with the start of a four day feriado (bank holiday) but something magic was going on.

Pre show I skipped outside to the roof terraces to road test doing band interviews to play out during the downtime between sets. Chomping down on avocado sandwiches were hungry and cute as pie Jasmin Esquivel y Los Alces. I asked the trio if they’d any idea that ‘alce’ meaning ‘moose’ is like calling someone ugly in my school day slang from England. They smiled ‘no,’ but it almost seems playfully done as doey eyed and red-lipped, my new girl crushes were sealed as Sofía, Jazmin and equally boy cute Tomás told me they’d only been together four months.

On stage, those same faces changed. Each absorbed. A grace and allure oblivious to the smiling, gazing and goose bumping reactions as on played their lo-fi intense tweaked folk. Inspired by the rising harmonies and muted choral power of Fleet Foxes, Tomás contorts over his banjo, Sofía percussively weaving rhythms on her bombo legüero drum and artfully playing spoons, while Jazmin’s faultless vocals left the audience shouting ‘uno mas,’(one more.) I’ve never seen that happen to the first-up band. But they gave the audience what they wanted and we loved it.

Nidos (Nests) filled the space next. Earlier as I was probing singer Julian about his guilty pleasures playlist, we connected on our mutual love of Aspen radio, a kind of cheesily addictive station playing classic hits that’s a taxi driver’s best friend here.  Grinning, he admitted to being not such a closet fan of Britney Spears and Abba. There’s no shame in pop. Nidos are pop and proud but toughen up to build bigger electro synth sounds at larger gigs. About to release their second album, ‘Un Avion para Cruzar La Puerta,’ (A Plane to Cross the Door) Nidos have got it, but you’ve got to see them live. YouTube videos don’t do them justice. I tried that. I nudged Julian’s mum dancing away next to me, ‘Es una estrella,’ I said (He’s a star), ‘Es mi estrella,’ (He’s my star). Her pride was humbling.

Infectious like a rash of joy you want to catch, Arkansas USA duo, Handmade Moments dropped in during there haplessly hilarious sounding trip in South America. Towering over Anna, Joel felt right at home on guitars and mandolin, bare-footed and bantering in his adorable Spanglish. Like two big kids, jazz tipped soulful and smiley ditties ensued with more Spanglish banter endearing them to us even more. I just wanted to hug them both and run away with them. Anna’s a little mover, hands going, beat boxing, ukelele and saxophone playing, there’s some mighty talent in her dinky stature. From lyrics of love to poverty and politics, it’s no shocker they bagged $26,000 pesos (£1530) busking BA for three weeks to raise funds for the clapped out engine of their mate’s van. The best bit? Said van broke down again three days after getting fixed! With unreigned optimism in songs like, ‘don’t be shy, dance your problems away,’ busking, begging or blagging, these two will make it down South to their next stop in Bariloche just fine.

I interviewed lovely Hernan Pato, the Buenos Aires organiser back in 2013. Back then I had no idea that a certain person I did a University radio show with was one of the Sofar founders. Rocky Start, you’ve done alright! Three years on in BA for me and now I’m part of the team. I couldn’t be happier. So how did Sofar celebrate such a magical night? With an improv drumming after party courtesy of Nidos of course! Buenos Aires, you never fail on the good times.

by: Sonja D'cruze 

ph: María Laffitte

Tell Me Something I Don't Know...

Here's a nice little 'uncovering' of the Sofar community - and London in particular. Spotlight on Anna McLuckie, Suli Breaks and Jackie D. Williams at the Carousel date back on the 12th too! http://www.draftedmagazine.com/sofar-sounds-intimate-gigging/ Author: cultchahack on Twitter and Instagram too.

Sofar Sounds Sydney: 18th February 2015

Words by Sara Tamin from Music In Retrospect  Photos by Megan Carew Photography & Design

As I walked into Sydney Sofar Sounds at Batch Brewing Co. in Marrickville on the 18th of February the atmosphere was instantly magnetic. The sea of bodies in the venue proved to be the perfect audience for a night of wonder.

The opening act Manu Pozzi (all the way from Argentina) blew us away with his heavenly tone and his soothing, acoustic Spanish melodies. 

Heprogressed dynamically through his set from warming and gentle to strong anddefinite as his projections boomed through the echoing venue. His between songbanter was shy and endearing and he appeared very sweet as he tipped his “luckyhat”. As he began to play a song in English his lyrics were almost like a melodic and rhythmic story, filled with catchy lines like “you make my days better” directly reflecting to the feel of his music, which at this point seemed calming and constant like a flowing wave. 

As he arrived at his last few songs he effortlessly transitioned into a more upbeat tune, covering ‘Don’t Worry’ and encouraged the audience to sing along. The audience did this willingly, getting lost in the moment of magic. For his last song, Manu hypnotised his listeners by playing a tune in which he used the guitar percussively, sliding, banging, picking and plucking the guitar to create unusual sounds and resonating contours. Manu Pozzi was a real experience, which was uniquely and ultimately charming for all involved.

When Gazele strutted onto the stage with a guitarist and a box drummer they demanded attention from the get go. Gazele, with her smile beaming from ear to ear and her on stage sassiness instantly enchanted the audience. Her woozy, raw and untapped RnB tunes credited large applause and soft grooving sways and clicks. 

As she ploughed through her set of all originals, she captivated us with her soulful tunes and embellished melodies filled with trills and runs. Her lyrics seemed to be bursting with motivational morals and self-love, which was refreshing and enlightening to hear. The guitarist used a lot of muting and strumming to create the dynamics that the simple and uplifting songs needed. The drummer mimicked this with syncopation yet steady pop-sensiblity. As their set continued she spat out memorable melodic jumps with even more powerhouse vocal qualities mixed with skittish guitar and spine-tingling vibrato. Gazele was extremely entertaining and beyond pastiche with their soul glow.

The already electric atmosphere became even more buzzing when Betty and Oswald drifted onto the small stage filling it to the brim with a drum kit, bass, guitar, three vocalists, a megaphone and an accordion. The four-piece band instantly astonished the crowd with their layered, catchy collection of mind-expanding melodies and jazzy scats, working at an alternative angle. The megaphone as a response to the vocalists call created a change in the sound quality to a more distant low and distorted response, capturing the audience’s attention completely. 

Their music almost creates a traditional sound mixed with indie folk/jazz and blues. Their songs told stories in colloquial language with polished musical accompaniment and breathtaking male/female harmonies. Vocal embellishments like slides, scatting and crooning were used as if they were almost effortless, as they harmonised together so perfectly it was as if they were brother and sister. Tempo changes and excitement vibrating from the stage was used to get the audience up and dancing to their last song and bang of a finish. Betty and Oswald were utterly enthralling to watch and moved the audience to their feet with their ever-changing dynamic set of tunes and utterly energetic performance.

To end a wondrous night Flowertruck commenced with a psychedelic set filled with dreamy guitar fills, airy female backing vocals and strong and alluring male vocals, channelling the likes of The Cure. Flowertruck’s sound is distinctive with a basement grunge 90’s feel as well as shades of mid-to late 80’s with an explosive stage performance from the lead male vocalist, not unlike that of Peter Garrett in his ‘Midnight Oil’ days. The bands physical performance intensity worked as a remarkable stage centrepiece encouraged the audience to stay on their feet and dance for the rest of the night. 

The lead male’s banter was impossible not to laugh at, as if he had no gate between mind and mouth. Their tunes appeared as if they were laser aimed to keep cool heads swaying and limbs throbbing. The guitar played bubbly scribbles of riffs as the synth sustained constant chord combinations trailing underneath, as the drums remained mostly continual. All instruments seemed to follow the melody contour perfectly. The lyrics mostly appeared with casual teenage angst although the music appearing mostly cheerfully, especially in their song “I want to be with you” which is what makes their music so magnetic.

Overall Sofar Sounds Sydney yet again was able to shake up the inner city nightlife.

Sofar Sounds Sydney: 18th February 2015

Words by Sara Tamin from Music In Retrospect 

Photos by Megan Carew Photography & Design

As I walked into Sydney Sofar Sounds at Batch Brewing Co. in Marrickville on the 18th of February the atmosphere was instantly magnetic. The sea of bodies in the venue proved to be the perfect audience for a night of wonder.

The opening act Manu Pozzi (all the way from Argentina) blew us away with his heavenly tone and his soothing, acoustic Spanish melodies.

He progressed dynamically through his set from warming and gentle to strong anddefinite as his projections boomed through the echoing venue. His between songbanter was shy and endearing and he appeared very sweet as he tipped his “lucky hat”. As he began to play a song in English his lyrics were almost like a melodic and rhythmic story, filled with catchy lines like “you make my days better” directly reflecting to the feel of his music, which at this point seemed calming and constant like a flowing wave.

As he arrived at his last few songs he effortlessly transitioned into a more upbeat tune, covering ‘Don’t Worry’ and encouraged the audience to sing along. The audience did this willingly, getting lost in the moment of magic. For his last song, Manu hypnotised his listeners by playing a tune in which he used the guitar percussively, sliding, banging, picking and plucking the guitar to create unusual sounds and resonating contours. Manu Pozzi was a real experience, which was uniquely and ultimately charming for all involved.

When Gazele strutted onto the stage with a guitarist and a box drummer they demanded attention from the get go. Gazele, with her smile beaming from ear to ear and her on stage sassiness instantly enchanted the audience. Her woozy, raw and untapped RnB tunes credited large applause and soft grooving sways and clicks.

As she ploughed through her set of all originals, she captivated us with her soulful tunes and embellished melodies filled with trills and runs. Her lyrics seemed to be bursting with motivational morals and self-love, which was refreshing and enlightening to hear. The guitarist used a lot of muting and strumming to create the dynamics that the simple and uplifting songs needed. The drummer mimicked this with syncopation yet steady pop-sensiblity. As their set continued she spat out memorable melodic jumps with even more powerhouse vocal qualities mixed with skittish guitar and spine-tingling vibrato. Gazele was extremely entertaining and beyond pastiche with their soul glow.

The already electric atmosphere became even more buzzy when Betty and Oswald drifted onto the small stage filling it to the brim with a drum kit, bass, guitar, three vocalists, a megaphone and an accordion. The four-piece band instantly astonished the crowd with their layered, catchy collection of mind-expanding melodies and jazzy scats, working at an alternative angle. The megaphone as a response to the vocalists call created a change in the sound quality to a more distant low and distorted response, capturing the audience’s attention completely.

Their music almost creates a traditional sound mixed with indie folk/jazz and blues. Their songs told stories in colloquial language with polished musical accompaniment and breathtaking male/female harmonies. Vocal embellishments like slides, scatting and crooning were used as if they were almost effortless, as they harmonised together so perfectly it was as if they were brother and sister. Tempo changes and excitement vibrating from the stage was used to get the audience up and dancing to their last song and bang of a finish. Betty and Oswald were utterly enthralling to watch and moved the audience to their feet with their ever-changing dynamic set of tunes and utterly energetic performance.

To end a wondrous night Flowertruck commenced with a psychedelic set filled with dreamy guitar fills, airy female backing vocals and strong and alluring male vocals, channelling the likes of The Cure. Flowertruck’s sound is distinctive with a basement grunge 90’s feel as well as shades of mid-to late 80’s with an explosive stage performance from the lead male vocalist, not unlike that of Peter Garrett in his ‘Midnight Oil’ days. The bands physical performance intensity worked as a remarkable stage centrepiece encouraged the audience to stay on their feet and dance for the rest of the night.

The lead male’s banter was impossible not to laugh at, as if he had no gate between mind and mouth. Their tunes appeared as if they were laser aimed to keep cool heads swaying and limbs throbbing. The guitar played bubbly scribbles of riffs as the synth sustained constant chord combinations trailing underneath, as the drums remained mostly continual. All instruments seemed to follow the melody contour perfectly. The lyrics mostly appeared with casual teenage angst although the music appearing mostly cheerfully, especially in their song “I want to be with you” which is what makes their music so magnetic.

Overall Sofar Sounds Sydney yet again was able to shake up the inner city nightlife.

Sofar Sounds Minneapolis: February 22, 2015

On one of the deepest freezes of this winter, hosts Gabriela and Dave welcomed us into their home for an evening of unique sounds, sights, and socialization. A mountain of shoes and boots piled up at the door as we assembled a critical mass, but the resident canine took no mind in his excitement of greeting every guest. When we finally settled down for the show, our four-legged friend found it a bit difficult to join us in the calm, endlessly enthused about whatever was happening. We’ll give him a pass - it was his first show after all, and it’s hard to contain one’s initial curiously of Sofar. 

Graveyard Club kicked off the evening, performing songs from their recent 2014 release, Nightingale, and earlier EP, Sleepwalk, at their first stripped down set (ever!). You would never guess this was their first living room session, as the improvised muting of drums and balance of instruments created the perfect sound for the space. Matthew’s vocals took us to another dimension, full in both high and low ranges. While prominent or understated as each song calls for, his rich tones fit into each one effortlessly: his vocals crafted to enhance the music and their music crafted to highlight his vocals. Amanda’s harmonies and solo features match in the same way, blending with Matthew’s to complete a lovely layered sound; each part distinguishable but part of the whole. As a whole, their sound has a dimly lit, romantic, low-key feel that would be perfect in an indie film or your everyday life. 

The members of Graveyard Club easily swapped instruments between tunes, and this visual only added to the impressive performance they pulled off. They’re a tight group, a combination of friends who have played music together for years in smaller, differently arranged groups. After Matt and Mike completed their Sleepwalk EP, Cory and Amanda joined in, and the full release Nightingale came together rather quickly. They’re hoping to tour this year sometime, but for now are playing local shows this spring - catch them coming up at Turf Club in Saint Paul on April 4th.

Bora York was up next: the project of Chris and Rebekah Bartels, plus friends, which usually makes up a five-piece. We were joined by three for the night, with Brian on acoustic guitar and Chris on electric. They charmed us with their dream pop goodness; soft harmonies perfectly on pitch between all three voices. Bora York strikes me as a form of early morning music, as it feels full of potential, and is light and hopeful, as well as tender. Not to say they can’t rock out - which is what they did on the closer “Let Loose,” a single from 2014 that will be on their upcoming 2015 album. As they are “pretty much done recording,” Chris said, I’m optimistic on a June or July release. 

Finally having Bora York at Sofar Sounds was quite fun for me, I met Chris and Rebekah at 7th Street Entry when I first moved to Minneapolis in 2012 and they had just released Dreaming Free - which they played the title track of on Sunday night. 2014 was quite exciting as the band released two new singles: "Let Loose," and "Leagues," with new collaboration involved, as well as mixing and mastering done across the country in LA and New York. It's a busy time for this couple, now with a young new member of the family at home and Chris managing Anthem Falls Music, but they’re playing at The Varsity on March 21st and their next album is due out this year. 

Part of what’s hard to translate in writing or photographs is the ambiance of an evening and the space in which it occurs. But I must confess, this location was one of my favorite houses in which we've ever hosted a Sofar show. The living room contains a huge mirror on one wall, which created the illusion of a larger space, and the color throughout the house made for a warmth that contrasted the bitter cold outside. The hallways made it so you were bound to bump into someone new, and make a new friend. It’s one of my favorite things about Sofar - audiences gaining a new community of fellow music-lovers right in their own neighborhood. 

i like you. closed out our night - and for those who live in Minneapolis, no this is not the retail shop in Northeast, but one of the most optimistic bands in the Twin Cities. Their uplifting music as well as the infectious positive charisma of lead vocalist Wendy Soleil (or Sunshine) created a delightful end to our evening. They’re a hard group to pin down genre-wise, but there’s elements of soul, reggae, blues, funk, and jazz all mixed up and delivered via six musicians who are having a lot of fun. They could hardly all fit in the living room, but their condensed energy was contagious. 

I say this about many bands, but i like you is a must-see - or rather, must-listen - in-person experience. Their songs build up in complexity and pull you in as a whole, mentally, in a way that requires few distractions - perfect for a living room show like Sofar. The band is so captivating, that despite the fact that Wendy is the sole remaining founding member after 6 years, i like you. has had no problem attracting talented new members. Both trumpet player Bobby and violist Karen saw the group live at some point and decided they needed to join, which was a fantastic choice on both their parts. Karen is so committed, she even ran off stage during a song to calm a cough, and jumped right back in after to finish it! Then they had fun covering their soulful arrangement of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana) to finish the night.

i like you. is a band full of beautiful hearts, as well as beautiful music. They play frequently around town and are having a CD release this year at Cabooze on May 29th, if you feel like spending an evening with a huge grin on your face. It’s a familiar feeling to being at a Sofar show all night, with evidence of all of our smiling faces from that evening below. 

Words by Kelsey Simpkins

Photos by Joel Menk

Sofar DFW/2015 Feb 15th

WORDS BY AMBER LAFRANCE

IMAGES BY BROOKE ADAMS

I was introduced to SOFAR through Jill Lynch at fM fashion Music, who thought we should know each other already. Thrilled to finally meet the creative minds behind the beautifully produced videos I’d seen online, I met Kim at Mudsmith and it all fell into place from there. As a champion of local music myself, I was thrilled to hear that there was a secret club of music advocates here in town. How was I not already on the email list?! She told me all about their upcoming post-Valentine’s Day session in Bishop Arts and I couldn’t wait to attend! Surprise performances at a surprise location? Count me in.

 Flash forward to February 15, the day of the show. After brunch down the street at Stock & Barrel, we packed inside The Wild Detectives, an adorable coffee shop/book store in the area. Comfortably seated on the floor cushions I brought from home, we grabbed ourselves a glass of wine and welcomed the first act to the mini-stage.

Soul-pop artist Larry g(EE) set the scene with a stripped down performance, a very different look than the singer’s usual ten to twelve piece band. The energy was high as the Filipino singer and his mini-band performed catchy songs from his hit EP “Weekends”. My favorite song, however, was the crooning slow jam “Take You Home Tonight”, which reminded me a bit of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing”. He even sung a yet-to-be-released track “Days Like This” for attendees who clapped enthusiastically. It was a treat to see an artist who’s graced the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” stage in such a cozy environment. For more information on Larry g(EE), visit www.larry-gee.com.

The second act to take the stage was Melissa Polinar, someone who I’ve spent late nights watching on YouTube. Seriously, you need to check out her live performance backstage with India.Arie, who is now one of her close mentors.            The Dallas-raised artist, who has since moved to L.A. to pursue her music career, completely mesmerized me with her unique and passionate brand of music. My favorite song was “Feels Like Home”, a track that the songbird executed perfectly. She has a unique talent for making everyone love her. I’m pretty sure everyone wanted to be her friend after the first song.  I was a fan of her bubbly personality and especially loved when she decided to change songs mid-tune just because she felt like it. Her performance was powerful! How has this girl not had any formal music training? I see her doing BIG things in the future. For more information on Melissa Polinar, visit www.melissapolinar.com.

How do I describe radio personality Paul Slavens? He’s an incredible pianist for one (I’m not surprised that he won “Best Keyboardist” this year at the Dallas Observer Music Awards). As he sang songs warning the crowd about the woes of dating girls who love theater, girls who drink too much, etc. we chuckled until our faces hurt . He was refreshing and incredibly entertaining live. I found myself thinking of the moment in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”, where Jason Segel (Peter) finally performs his Dracula-inspired rock opera on-stage (my favorite part!!). I am now a huge fan of Paul’s witty performances and will make it a point to tune in for his show on KXT. For more information on Paul Slavens, visit http://kxt.org/tag/paul-slavens/.

My first impression of Canvas Bride was: They’re so young! They’re a band from TAFA who “plays for colors and shapes” and strives to be different by writing parables, instead of songs. Basically they love telling stories through music. Throughout theset, they impressed attendees with their own blend of experimental indie folk. Everyone soon forgot about their age. Their lead singer was sick the day of the show, but I would have never known if I wasn’t told beforehand. Their performance was seamless and the perfect end to a beautiful Sunday afternoon. For more information on Canvas Bride, visit www.canvasbride.com.

Lasting thoughts: Sofar is doing something right here in Dallas. It’s refreshing to see nearly 100 people of all ages sitting quietly Indian style on the hardwood floor, clapping joyously and clearly amazed by the local talent we have here in our city.  

Sofar Sounds Sydney: 25th Jan 2015

Words: Alister Marshall

Photography: Megan Carew Photography & Design

More pics here!!!

Thiswas my second time reviewing for a Sofar Sound’s show and I was very excited to see what this edition had to bring.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Sofar Sounds, they are secret gigs that are held in intimate spaces in over 100 cities around the world. This evening’s venue was a beautiful open courtyard in Newtown, and I brought along a group of friends to open them up to this secret world, which I was grateful to have been shown by a friend a few months ago.

The first act of the evening was Stephanie Grace, blending beautiful harmonies with a very smooth and calming voice; she immediately caught the entire audience’s attention. Her set showcased her full array of musical talent, a bunch of cracking jokes and her ability to maintain the audiences attention throughout, with her smart songwriting and additions of various accessories, it was the perfect way to kick start the evening.

The second act of the evening was a duo going by the name of Microwave Jenny; as soon as they hit the stage I could tell they were an unusual duo. Introducing one another as husband and wife, with a baby on the way. Their original music and the way they went about the set certainly reflected this feel, leaving even the coldest person with a warm smile on their face. They got the crowd involved too with a very catchy whistle sing-a-long that is still stuck in my head.

The third act of the night was a fellow called Josh Chamberlin. He arrived on stage with a beautifully crafted telecaster that made me drool in its presence. Josh with long locks of hair and a beard that is worthy of its own stage name itself, was dressed like a man ready to prove a point, and that he did. Armed with a very husky voice and not afraid to use it, he played a very entertaining set, showcasing his full abilities as a guitarist and songwriting skills.

The fourth and final act of the evening were Vigilantes, dressed in bright and very unusual selections of Adidas clothing, were never going to be an act you would be able to easily forget about. While it was their unusual appearance that originally caught my attention, it was their music that stayed with me afterwards. Armed with enough gear to make any musician jealous, they used their entire armory to catch every member of the audience’s imagination. Blending beautiful harmonies with new aged synthesizers, beats and effects, their music was a first for me at a Sofar Sounds gig, but boy did everyone in the crowd appreciate what they brought to the table. My personal favorite was the introduction of the saxophone, which just made their compositions sound even better to the ear.

It was a fitting end to what was a very enjoyable evening for all, and as I left with my friends, they were full of praise for Sofar Sounds.

Joel Sarakula - Northern Soul | Sofar Munich (#969)

Vita Bergen - On the Run | Sofar Stockholm (#1233)

Naomi Wachira - I Believe | Sofar Los Angeles (#871)

Ankah - Your Path | Sofar Aarhus (#1190)

Moses Sumney - Plastic | Sofar New York (#1125)

Sofar Sounds Minneapolis: December 14, 2014

During a brief warm spell in mid-December here in Minnesota, musicians and guests alike ducked inside Jennie and Chris' house, safe from the drizzle with mud on their snowboots. Those mild temperatures, sadly, have been forgotten completely in the month since. However, what has not been forgotten is the music and holiday cheer shared that Sunday evening. There was every type of cookie, warming drink, and pleasing sound to sooth the soul. Holiday sweaters - although a bit toasty in the packed first floor - abounded, themed show posters by designer Theresa Ptak (below) adorned the walls, and as usual, cords, microphones, and instruments lay set around the room as we settled in. 

Lynn O'Brien - who previously performed at Sofar Sounds Minneapolis in August 2013 - graced us once again with her inspiring presence and musicality. In her songs, like "Hummingbirds," she uses analogies to describe things such as feeling supported in a relationship, and spins a subtle joy beneath each note, with soul shining brightly through. A starry-eyed audience remained frozen, in what I can assume was awe, listening to O'Brien's voice. She even commented afterward, "The only person who moved was the dog!" 

Next, O'Brien covered the recognizable, "Don't Worry, Be Happy," of Marley's - which became a sing-a-long. I was impressed by both the commitment of the audience as well as O'Brien's masterful use of loops to create a lush background of accompaniment that she sang in and with and on top of. She finished her set with pair of tunes that exemplify her current situation: quitting her day job in order to fully pursue music full-time. "Up Up Up" is a still-in-progress piece that positively reassures herself of her chosen direction, and "Let Go, Move Forward" builds in slow loops and layers to create an intricate and memorable end product. With her gorgeous and approachable voice, and optimistic outlook, I see only success down the road for O'Brien.

Reina del Cid - the most recent Sofar Sounds Minneapolis alum present, from June 2014 - stepped up next. Taking the stage once again with the talented Tony Lindgren, the duo sang, strummed, and picked their way through songs about love, life, and spending time around the campfire. Well in-sync with each other, the two created a laid-back, enjoyable performance full of mutual respect. As Reina del Cid accurately stated, it is "so great to play to a room full of people actually listening." 

Between two Sofar shows, a residency at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, opening for Chris Koza's CD release show, and more, Reina del Cid played the 4th greatest number of live shows in 2014 in the Twin Cities. They also are near the end of recording at the famous Pachyderm studios in Cannon Falls. Keep an eye out for more music and shows from this hotbed of talent, and Reina's in-progress bluegrass side project, No Tent. 

Did I mention there was a dog? The sweetest dog ever? Her name is Blanche, and she's a foster - which means she may still be up for adoption! Check out PetFinder.com and other adoption groups if you're looking to bring home a Blanche of your own. 

Finally, Tree Party - one of the earliest performers for Sofar Sounds Minneapolis - stepped up to play. This group of instrumentalists almost didn't fit in the living room, spilling over in the kitchen by about half an upright bass. A happier form of blues, with jazz and folk influences, filled the rest of the room. I don't often have difficulty describing what music sounds like - good music, don't get me wrong - but I wrote things like "music to sway to?" and "no idea how to describe this" in my notebook the evening of, if that gives you any indication of why you should pursue hearing this sound for yourself. 

Although all members are equally involved, band member Joey Ford was a 2013 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, which allowed the group to create its third album, Iced Over: Thawing Minnesota's Local Lore, a year-long project of researching stories and local history in smaller communities across Minnesota. Hymie's Vintage Records in Longfellow named it Best of 2014! Read their review here. 

If you're looking to see Tree Party live, check online for touring dates - otherwise they play with the Roe Family Singers every 3rd Monday night at the 331 in Northeast. 

Note: not only were our musical performers multi-talented, our hosts Jennie and Chris play in a local band called Warehouse Eyes! And they have a show this Thursday at Turf Club as part of The Dirty Banks EP release, if you want to check them out. 

And lastly, thank you to all 2014 Sofar Sounds Minneapolis performers, hosts, and attendees! We couldn't have done it without you. 

Words by Kelsey Simpkins

Photos by Joel Menk