Husky hardly seems the type of band capable of blowing a live audience away.
That’s not a dig at their musicianship or collective talents – the fact that they recently signed to the same label that nabbed a young Nirvana clearly suggests they know a thing or two. It’s more so that their passive approach seems better suited to a cosy cottage in the woods than it does on a stage.
Recognising this – and as they demonstrated tonight to a packed Corner Hotel – Husky stick to their strengths when playing live. They don’t opt for a wow factor. They far prefer to let the strength of their songwriting do the impressing. As a result, they sound just as glorious live as they do in a studio.
Riding in the support slot was the classically trained Elana Stone. Decked out in a pink leotard, with shoes to match, Stone unleashes a voice far bigger than her diminutive frame suggests. Tracks such as ‘Small Town’ and ‘New Life’ impress, as does her ‘pull no punches’ rapport with the crowd. Clearly Stone is no stranger to the odd f-bomb, either.
Anchored in minor key bliss, Husky garners complete silence from a respectful crowd during the majority of the set. Such a reaction is the equivalent a metal head jumping up and down in a mosh or a baby boomer tossing their panties up on stage during a Tom Jones concert.
Humble and jet-lagged, the band nonetheless delivers with confidence and exuberance. The best examples of this include the performances of ‘Don’t Tell Your Mother’ and breakout single ‘History’s Door’. They also demonstrate a more sensual side with a cover of INXS’s ‘Need You Tonight’.
Those familiar with the band’s debut LP, Forever So could be forgiven for thinking frontman Husky Gawenda is the chief chook of the quartet. With his elastic voice and silky fingerpicking, he seems the logical choice. He is trumped, however, by keys man Gideon Preiss.
During the likes of ‘Animals & Freaks’ and ‘Dark Sea’, it is Preiss who provides the band with a cathartic oomph. He is particularly impressive during a solo leading into the haunting ‘Woods’. That being said, the overall strength of the group still lies in their ability to flow as a collective unit.
Possessing maturity far beyond the size of their discography, it is the live delivery and camaraderie of Husky that sets them apart from other local bands of a similar ilk. With the backing of heavyweight label Sub Pop, overseas recognition seems a deserving given.
