While everyone else was at the Sydney Big Day Out (including, initially, some members of The Curse of Company), a small group had gathered at the Hopetoun Hotel for what was to be an excellent, albeit rather humid, night of live music.
First up, all the way from New York, was the one-man machine of ambience, Fulton Lights, a project of Andrew Spencer Goldman. While I only caught a few of his tracks, I must say he made some pretty impressive music, although when I arrived I didn’t realise anyone was playing… just kind of assumed it was background music. And such was partly because he spent much of the set on the ground, or stretched over the stage… jumping between pedals and computers and keyboards and microphones and probably more that I had missed. This in mind, I don’t think he had the stage set-up he is used to, as it all seemed to be a struggle to make it work – but he definitely got there, and “Fire in the Palm of my hand,” his final track, is of particular mention.
Cuthbert and the Nightwalkers were up next, and showed themselves in rejuvenated top form, finally bringing to the stage a bevy of new material. I think I may have mentioned in a past review that it had gotten to the point I was hearing pretty much the same set list every time I saw them… so to experience something new was truly a joy. “High Horse,” which I believe they played for the first time tonight, has already shot up the ladder as my favourite song. And “Pace Ourselves,” another recent acquisition, isn’t far behind. While the new material comes off far more elaborate than their earlier tracks, including the obligatory set-closer “Maggie’s Health”, they still maintain the catchy, dance-a-riffic “leave your problems at the door” vibe. These guys have always been one of the best live bands in Sydney, and now with such quality presented in their new tracks, it’s clear they are only getting better.
And finally, with Sarah Kelly of the RedSunBand fresh from the stages of the Big Day Out, the newest Australian “supergroup,” The Curse of Company, took to the stage for what was to be the last time for a while. Naturally, this would have a lot to do with the schedules of each respective member, but judging Dave Rennick’s (Dappled Cities) comments on the night, it really hasn’t been as successful a project as they had hoped. And with bands such as Jack Ladder, Dappled Cities, Mr. Bungle and the RedSunBand under their belts, such hope for success should have been guaranteed.
Disappointment could clearly be seen on Dave’s face for a lot of the show, but this was only because this was music he, and the rest of the band, take great pride in. Their album, “Leo Magnets Joins a Gang” is a beautifully produced work, featuring a band with immense talent that comes off with a side of sophistication on every track. Where Dappled Cities Fly is playful, energetic and spontaneous, The Curse of Company is well-calculated, serious, and for lack of a better word – sophisticated. And their live show certainly reflects this. But of course, while this is a good thing, it’s simply a dangerous climate for a band to try and do something “musically respectful” amongst the Presets of the world, so they certainly have my respect for following their love of music and giving it a go.
They played through most of the album during the set, closing appropriately with the album’s closer “Oh Brother”. Some songs came off better than others, but on the whole, they sounded fantastic live. I must give a particular mention here to their single “All the Mines,” which was great fun. But I guess you couldn’t help but leave with a bit of melancholy that this was possibly the last chance we’d get to see the band in action. But who knows what the future will bring. The entire band loves the music they’re playing, and if they continue to feel that way about it, then I’m sure we’ll see them back simply out of desire. Just not for a while.
