Seriously Brisbane, is musical prowess instilled in your water?
The rate that Brisvegas is churning out quality indie-rock bands lately is remarkable, and The Art of Sleeping are no exception. Fresh off the back of their first tour supporting Owl Eyes, the lads have been receiving generous airplay on Triple J, which might explain why the cavernous band room in The Workers Club was occupied by a host of punters uncharacteristically early in the night.
Those timely enough to catch Melbourne-based Second Hand Heart were treated to a glorious display of gorgeous harmonies, cascading keys, and sincere musicianship. Jessica Carroll’s smoky, soul-striking voice united with Lily Parker’s to provide commanding vocals. “Spending My Time” unfolded in a beautifully unnerving build and release, as twenty or so captivated listeners made the left side of the room a cozy picnic ground. Ending with slow-burning song “Trouble”, this five-piece band’s well-crafted fusion of blues, folk and rock is sure to enchant all who have the pleasure of hearing it.
Next up, local favourites Them Swoops took to the stage to fill the dim bar with high-energy, feel-good music and effortless swagger from lead vocalist Dave McGann. For a song which has lyrics mourning lost love, “Work Around It” has such an infectious tune it manages to transcend the winter weather, evoking sepia-coloured memories of balmy summer beach trips. Punching through tunes like “Shapes” and “Fever”, McGann then primed a sing-along to “Too Fast for Love”. Sure enough, even the hippest of Brunswick’s hipsters find themselves joining in.
Finally, The Art of Sleeping step on stage for their second ever show in Melbourne. With two setlists written on the back of what could well be receipt stubs, Jarryd Shuker abandons his shoes and perches on a makeshift stool of milk crates in front of his keyboard. As the band begin their introductory track, singer Caleb Hodges eases the crowd in with the lyrics “it’s all in your head/it’s all in your head now“, eloquently crooning into two microphones.
Second track “Shoulders” neatly folds into “Voodoo”, and the band showcase new tunes “Like A Thief” and “One Hundred Thousand” from their upcoming EP.
Bravely, the boys opt for a cover of Neil Young’s “Cowgirl in the Sand”. A quick show of hands tells that the 1969 song pre-dates the young crowd, but they’re still able to appreciate The Art Of Sleeping’s version, with Hodges’ enviable vocal range and the honed skills of Patrick Silver on guitar, Francois Malengret on bass and his brother Jean-Paul on drums. After a rendition of “Colorblind”, two mermaid-haired girls take the opportunity to scoot into the vacant space front of stage, blissfully dancing to final songs “Above the Water” and “Empty Hands”, swooning as Hodges flashes them a smile.
There’s an epic quality to The Art Of Sleeping’s union of keys, guitars, drums, and voice; a combination exudes a stunning live sound that a recording would be hard-pressed to match. With an EP out in August, and a national tour on the horizon, the Art Of Sleeping are set to woo many a crowd with their alluring, accessible sounds and humble presence.
– Liz Margaronis
