REVIEW: SideKickNick

SIDEKICKNICK and THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES
Kings Arms
Friday 29 August
Words by June Hart
Photos by Charlette Hannah





It doesn't seem quite right to describe SideKickNick's songs as music, as such. It's more an interesting amalgamation of sounds. Quirky beats, childish vocals (think Connan Mockasin), songs ranging from raucous distorted guitar to soft, whimsical flights of fancy. It's a challenge to put his unusual brand of music into words! Somehow it all works, and the live result is a catchy, quirky, and entertaining performance.

SideKickNick is accompanied live by The Technical Difficulties, made up of Murray Fisher (Voom, ex-Goodshirt) on bass, Brendan Morrow and Peter Hobbs on various instruments including keys, guitar and ukelele, and Pluto's Mike Franklin Brown on drums. Leading the cast is Nick Buckton, the brains and creativity (and madness?) behind SideKickNick's debut album, Miscellaneous Adventures.

The album release party was packed out with eager fans and a noticeable number of industry players. Although it's taken 10 years to release the album, it seems the time is right, with Miscellaneous Adventures being released on SonyBMG.

Live, SideKickNick's exuberant music is fleshed out with Nick's wicked sense of humour and complete ease on the stage. The bands relaxed confidence on stage belies the fact that they have only had three gigs so far. SideKickNick takes the audience on a journey through songs about a multitude of random subjects. Utilising strange vocal noises on stage as well as in the album, the performance was eclectic, fascinating, and altogether enjoyable.

www.sidekicknick.com

www.myspace.com/sidekicknick

REVIEW: The Mots

THE MOTS
Kings Arms
Friday 29 August
Words by June Hart
Photos by Charlette Hannah






'Who are The Mots?' I hear you ask. A good question indeed. With some members rather resembling Motocade, one wonders if they have evil twins, and if so, which band has the evil ones? Not being overly familiar with Motocade, it's hard to judge if the name change is signalling a new musical direction, or if it's the slight changes in lineup are responsible.

Brothers Eden (vocals and guitar) and Will Mulholland (drums) are joined by another family member - Jolyon (keys and guitar), and Rob Collins on bass.

The Mots are a tight band, with an obviously wide range of influences. At times this feels like the band are still trying to find their sound, which results in less clarity for the audience. Having said that, the diverse range of styles within their songs also helps to keep things interesting.

A four piece band, they utilise a variety of instruments and harmonies to bring a full sound to the stage. Melodic and upbeat, they had people dancing, including one rather enthusiastic fellow throwing himself at other audience members.

Easy to digest and catchy, The Mots are your typical pop/rock outfit with elements which could take them out of the ordinary if they figure out exactly where they're going.

myspace.com/themotsband

REVIEW: Bionic Pixie

BIONIC PIXIE
Kings Arms
Friday 29 August
Words by June Hart
Photos by Charlette Hannah








Bionic Pixie is an appropriately named act. Think Metallica: they play metal music. You know what to expect. Think Bionic Pixie: robot music with a pixie singer.

Opening the evening for Side Kick Nick's album release party, Bionic Pixie is primarily the project of songwriter Zoe Fleury. Part spoken word, part childish tone, part husky growl, Zoe's vocals are the striking characteristic of Bionic Pixie.

Mixing electro-pop, hip hop and funk, Zoe is an energetic performer, constantly dancing (dare I say boogie-ing?) on stage. Accompanied by a drummer on an electronic kit, Zoe also picked up the sticks a couple of times, adding to the beat. There was also a DJ, playing Zoe's backing tracks, all composed by herself.

When she picked up her guitar, it seemed rather a token gesture as she didn't play much, but it added another visual element to the performance. Overall I found the singing a bit monotonous, and it was hard to hear the words.

But Bionic Pixie had people dancing and it was an entertaining beat-driven opening act.

myspace.com/bionicpixie

REVIEW: Hannah Curwood, Jen Cloher and Rebekah Davies

HANNAH CURWOOD, JEN CLOHER AND REBEKAH DAVIES
Wine Cellar
Wednesday 23 July

Words by June Hart
Photos by Charlette Hannah

Hannah Curwood

Jen Cloher

Rebekah Davies

Tom Healy

At last! A gig which starts when advertised, and finishes before 11pm. I imagine the early finish influenced many to attend when they otherwise may not have on a 'school night'. The allure of the three songwriters was obviously strong - the Wine Cellar was completely packed with no sitting or standing room to spare.

An inspired collaboration between Hannah Curwood, Rebekah Davies, and Jen Cloher, the evening's set comprised a variety of songs from each writer's repertoire, with each alternatively taking the lead and providing backing. They were joined on stage by Hannah's partner and regular guitarist, the talented and hirsute Tom Healy.

Hannah Curwood is a funny little pixie with a sassy sense of humour that belies the power and beauty of her songs. When she pauses for breath in a dramatic song, her cheeky smile appears for a second, and is instantly gone again to be replaced by a voice which is sweet and gutsy with the slightest hint of whiskey. Her alternative folk songs have lovely melodies and subtle rhythms, and she has an easy confidence on stage that makes you feel like she just stood up at home and started playing a song to whoever happened to be there.

Apparently it was Rebekah Davies' first gig, and her beauty and the depth of her songs had the audience spellbound. Rebekah's songs had a more melancholy feel to them than the others, her deep husky voice lightly evoking her melodies. Unusual song structures and creative dynamics lent a slightly exotic air to Rebekah's folk.

Even without her band The Endless Sea, Jen Cloher is an intense performer with a wonderfully expressive voice. The Melbourne based singer almost speaks her words sometimes, then illustrates her range with a roaring rocky song. Alternative country with a modern rock twist, Jen's songs were compelling and her performance moving.

All members of the band (a.k.a TJ Healy and the Fanny Farm) provided complementary backing utilising eggs, tambourines, guitars, piano, keyboard, and gorgeous three part harmonies. The audience gave it's full attention to the performers, and was rewarded by a fine show.

myspace.com/hannahcurwood
myspace.com/jencloherandtheendlesssea

REVIEW: The Sami Sisters

THE SAMI SISTERS
Dogs Bollix
Thursday 17 July

Words by June Hart
Photos by Charlette Hannah

Madeleine Sami

Anji Sami

Priya Sami

The Sami Sisters have witty banter down to a tee. With stories about fish food and other assorted delicacies, they had the audience laughing between every song during their set on Thursday night at the Dogs Bollix.

Opening with the classic 'Tonight You Belong To Me' (I couldn't help picturing Steve Martin in The Jerk), their three lovely voices blended wonderfully as tends to happen in family bands. Their smooth harmonies were perfectly done like a good pav. Mixing covers and originals by all three sisters, their set was lively and energetic.

Eldest sister, actress Madeleine was the most outgoing of the three, dancing around the stage, apparently hyped up on flu meds. Baby of the family, Priya, seemed to be the repository of most of the stories, with the other two deferring to her jokes during tuning or drinking pauses. Middle sister Anji is apparently the 'singer-songwriter proper', having released The El Dorado EP in 2006.

The sisters had confident stage presence, with an easy going professionalism. Although they all had great voices, Priya in particular was given the chance to shine, performing her catchy radio hit 'Mrs Julian Casablancas'.

The Sami Sisters are a thoroughly entertaining act to watch, with quality music and relaxed humour and I would highly recommend them for any weddings or Bar Mitzvahs you might have coming up. They said they're available.

myspace.com/thesamisisters

REVIEW: Reb Fountain and The Bandits

REB FOUNTAIN AND THE BANDITS
Dogs Bollix
Thursday 17 July

Words by June Hart
Photos by Charlette Hannah







Reb Fountain possesses an incredible voice, and a songwriting talent which should see her at the top of the charts. Vocally she achieves an exquisite balance of strong and sweet, with a bit of life thrown in to roughen the mixture up.

With two other guitarists besides Reb herself, drums, bass, keys and violin provided by Sam Prebble of Bond St Bridge, the band is a powerful live unit. They were equally at ease with the more laid back folky songs and the full force rockier ones, which brought to mind PJ Harvey.

The songs were dynamic in structure and delivery, and the balance of mellow and rocky songs was well received. Reb has a skilful ear for melody, and the songs were catchy without being obnoxiously pop.

The audience gradually crept forward, leaning in to listen and get closer, with loud applause and cheers following every song. They were one of the best acts I've seen in a long time, giving a tight and engaging performance.

Reb Fountain and The Bandits depart Auckland for a tour of the North and South Islands at the end of July.

myspace.com/rebfountain

REVIEW: Bond St Bridge

BOND ST BRIDGE
Dogs Bollix
Thursday 17 July

Words by June Hart
Photos by Charlette Hannah





Bond St Bridge is one rather European looking fellow (ref: hat and glasses). Replete with a violin, guitar, and 'antique tape echo machine', Sam Prebble, a.k.a Bond St Bridge, played a melancholy and moody set opening for Reb Fountain and The Sami Sisters. Although he also sometimes plays with a band, his set on Thursday was a pleasant solo performance.

Utilising a fair amount of reverb and delay, Sam built up layer after layer of atmospheric music which was ethereal, and yet managed to stay grounded and human. With appealing folky melodies sung with Sam's rich voice, the songs had an almost darkly vaudeville sound to them.

Thumps on the guitar were looped to provide a rhythm section, while layers of violin overlaid with guitar resulted in an almost symphonic backing. The introspective, satirical lyrics added to the depth of sound.

The very first song, played just on the violin, was particularly lovely, and had a celtic influence - appropriate for an Irish pub!

myspace.com/thebondstreetbridgeband