With little wooden tables and chairs strewn throughout the band room, The Toff in Town gives off the air of a small intimate cabaret venue.
With dimly lit candles immersing the room in equal measures of soft red light and dark shadows, the scene is set for a night of cool sophistication or a whole lot of cheekiness; perhaps even both.
That’s the charm of The Toff, having the ability to create the right mood for no matter who walks onto stage.
First out from behind the red curtain is Jed Rowe, of the Melbourne-based roots/bluesy trio The Jed Rowe Band.
Sitting under a disco ball, bathed in blue light, lap slide guitar on his… well, lap, Rowe possesses a quiet confidence before the first chord is even played. Rowe is a story-teller and a talented one at that.
His set is littered with songwriting gems from debut album Midnight Sun and its follow-up, the Jeff Lang-produced The Ember and The Afterglow.
Rowe takes the audience on a lyrical and rhythmic journey across terrain and time, singing songs from many perspectives, delving into roots, blues, and rock and alt-country tempos.
Mixing harmonica and acoustic guitar, “Castlemaine” is sung from a woman’s point of view, and tells of tragedy striking a heavily pregnant woman during the Gold Rush era.
The infectious alt-country of “Across The Water” and “I Wonder Why You Hide” possess blues vibes where Rowe lets his expressive voice out to play, and heartstrings tug at lyric-driven “When The House Shakes”.
If his performance is anything to go by, Rowe is one to watch for in the roots/blues scene.
Carter Rollins, the rocking duo from Torquay, have recently become a trio: Justin (guitar/vocals), Johnny (drums/vocals), and Jimmy (bass).
On the last show of their Onjuku Sun tour, the boys are ready to go out with a truckload of rock and soul. They’re a bit sexy, a bit laid-back, and a whole lot of fun.
Their sound is energetic and playful, they have real presence, and a killer harmony exists between Justin Carter and Johnny Rollins that needs to be witnessed live.
Their sincere music is akin to a morning surf: fresh, and invigorating. Crowd favourites “Stepping Stones” and “Louise” showcased Rollins’ skilful songwriting, sigh-inducing harmonizing and downright catchy hooks.
Bringing their set to a close with rocking opening track from their debut, “Valerie”, the three-piece band leave the crowd with a taste of what is to come from these talented lads.
Australian singer-songwriter Paul Greene has recently begun a new venture called Paul Greene and The Other Colours. Their Gettin’ Lucky 2013 tour kicked off this month with a not-so-lucky spot of car trouble.
Luckily, the slight setback was quickly rectified and the band graced the stage punctually and with an ironic tale to tell.
Greene is one of Australia’s most well-respected, hard-working, down to earth roots musicians. Behind The Stars his debut with the Other Colours, and the seventh studio album for Greene as an artist, was nominated for the Best Blues and Roots Album category at the 2012 ARIA awards.
What should be a time for celebration, has unfortunately recently also been touched by loss for the band. In January, drummer Matt Sykes suddenly passed away in a boating accident.
This has led to the Gettin’ Lucky tour being turned into a tribute to the life and works of a great friend and a talented musician.
Joining Greene is bassist Neil Beaver. Together they launch into a lyrical expedition, taking in all the colours of the spectrum.
Greene performs like the seasoned artist he is; incredibly sincere and likeable, the lyrics get you sitting up a little straighter, take stock, and isten closely – Greene calls this reaction ‘Melbourne Ears’.
His voice is smooth, effortlessly adapting from slower, thought provoking melodies (‘Her Minor Key’) to amping up his voice with rock- fuelled numbers. He is a talented storyteller who can whip up a dancing frenzy, in “Work Love Dance Trust”, inspire positivity in the presence of adversity, with “Bad Luck Lately”, and meld beautiful melodious beat and voice with “Whole of The Moon”.
Greene’s songwriting prowess brings to mind fellow storyteller extraordinaires Paul Kelly and Neil Finn. He leads you to water, helps you onto a nice comfy boat, and sets you sail down a river of charmingly simplistic tales told through song. And when the boat docks downstream? Well, then he will give you a little party once you are back on dry land.
