Haven’t popped in to check out a gig at The Workers Club lately? For shame.
This is the venue that keeps on giving, with a constant stream of fresh, up-and-coming artists flowing through its veins and tonight is no exception.
First to sink her teeth into the evening’s festivities is Hobart native Hayley Couper. With some recent national airplay, the rest of us are finally discovering the natural gem Tasmania has long kept to themselves. Think Cat Power mixed with a splash of determined indie rock. This girl has some set of pipes on her.
Couper’s raw, raspy voice stirs early punters’ attentions away from their beers, effortlessly engaging the room. Creating a unique and genre-less style, her songs have a rugged depth to them displaying a healthy mesh of musical influences.
A rare find, smiling out from under waves of sandy hair, Couper is instantly likeable and intriguing. She shifts easily between husky bedroom croons to powerful vocal punches, making for one satisfying KO set. Watch this space.
If you’re loving the current influx of folksy/indie/twee-pop that seems to be dominating the airwaves these days, then get your ears around Dirt Farmer for some simple non-offensive tunes about young love and what not.
Sugary soft vocals get the crowd bopping along as the lanky 5 piece launch into ‘Johnny Marble’. This is indie pop in one of its purest, most crystalized forms, good fun for all, but musical diabetics beware.
Solid instrumental breakdowns feature along with a mean harmonica to seal the deal with the amorous crowd. For those on the eternal quest for some happy summertime harmonies, Dirt Farmer have got you covered.
Now cosy with bodies, there is a quick shuffle while the band take to the stage and fans stake out prime eyelines.
Tin Sparrow are kicking goals. Within only a short year have toured nationally with sold out shows as well playing key supports for Matt Corby, Husky, and Boy & Bear. On top of this they have also received international recognition with tracks being played on US medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, not bad for a folk/roots band from Sydney!
Aside from their infectious melodies, there is something real and hearty in this music, leaving no wonder as to how they have developed such a passionate following. Laconic and mesmerising vocals are backed with delicious synths and gentle snares. There is a lot of warmth in this band and a real air of ease and fun is exchanged with the adoring crowd as they sing along.
Slow burning breakup track ‘Bricks’ creates a poignant and peaceful moment, with some fans even taking sneaky iPhone recordings, a rare and remarkable sign of praise for a relatively fresh band. Crowd favourites ‘My Own’ and ‘For You’ pick up the pace again as happy punters kick up their heels one last time and finish the night on a victorious note and one hell of a hoe-down.
