Having unfortunately missed the always wonderful Caitlin Park, Castlemaine rising star D.D Dumbo hit the stage at the Oxford Art Factory not long after I arrived, serving as the precursor to Melbourne’s Courtney Barnett, playing her second of three sold out shows in Sydney tonight.
Looping guitar, vocals, recorders and percussion – potentially even with a pedal effect that made his guitar sound like an organ (or was I hearing things?) – D.D Dumbo is one hell of a hard worker on the stage. Somehow he makes it look easy though, sailing through his melodic and hypnotic tunes as the crowd swayed in unison. Single “Tropical Oceans” was a natural highlight of the set with its African Blues and his 12 string electric was a beauty.
Courtney Barnett hit the stage as the Art Factory filled to the edges, the curtains opening to reveal Melbourne’s latest success story accompanied by a three piece band, someone hidden off on a laptop off to the side, as animation with a silent film aesthetic was projected behind them.
“David” opened things up, which immediately showed off Courtney’s eloquent lyrics – “I don’t really like any of your friends / but it’s not that hard for me to pretend” – partnered up with a classic blues riff. There were some surf rock vibes in the second track, “Lance Jr” where she started to get to show off her sweet guitar moves and “Canned Tomatoes (Whole)” kept everyone moving.
Then came “Scotty Says”, one of the nights early highlights – some truly impressive guitar parts were laid out here for us to enjoy, with high energy coming from the band. The grooves slowed down for “Don’t Apply Compression Gently”, which was “dedicated to all the lovers”. Let’s take a moment to embrace her lyrics here for a moment: “I may not be 100% happy but at least I’m not with you…”
“Anonymous Club” was another easy highlight, with Barnett striping things back to an echoing guitar over a basic drum beat… brings it right down and pausing before coming right back again. I was hypnotized, transfixed and perhaps a little bit in love. Courtney Barnett and her band are true musicians, elegantly powerful performers who are producing some of the best music Australia has to offer right now. So tight. Truly solid. It’s often surprise the world is taking notice – I mean they should, but you know what people can be like with “good music” – but damn, there are few who deserve the attention more.
“Are You Looking After Yourself” came next, the anthem of the struggling musician. Hell, the struggling creative. It’s a rocking number, a fuck you to the expectations of life, with Barnett living proof that following your ambitions can end in some form of success. Though no doubt there are some who would still expect her to get a “9 to 5″…
After two new tracks – the first sounding like a classic Aussie tune already, with Barnett asking “Why are you so eager to please?” – and a rather self deprecating number, “Put me on a pedestal and I’ll only disappoint you” – came the single “Avant Gardener” which closed out the main set, ahead of a mammoth three song encore that opened with the witty “Depreston” and letting “History Eraser” bring the night to an end.
It was everything you wanted it to be an more. A great night filled with great, talented musicians. And proof yet again that no one does it like Courtney.
Both D.D and Courtney will soon be heading to New York to play as part of the CMJ Music Conference. Not that either need it, but we’re wishing them the best of luck at the event!
