A couple of hiccups saw a slight change to the evening bill at The Evelyn last Thursday night.
Unfortunately Ariela Jacobs pulled out due to illness, and The Lovelies had to cancel as a result of timing issues.
As all good girls and boys know, the show must go on, and stepping up to the plate to play with Woody Pitney and scheduled-opener Centimetre was Melbournian Gena Rose Bruce.
Punters steadily flowed through the doors and scattered themselves in smalls groups on the plethora of comfy brown couches and mismatched furniture that hugged the sides of the band room.
The set-up only served to encourage the more relaxed direction that the earlier part of the night would take, and the twinkling fairy lights climbing the walls and shabby chic chandeliers hanging from the ceiling added to the cosy ambience of the venue.
One woman act Centimetre took to the stage with her guitar. Sporting a blonde-fringed bob cut, she quietly and confidently smashed out an admirable acoustic session that included Mountain Man cover ‘Animal Tracks’ and Sharon Van Etten number ‘Give Out’.
After a short break, the 2012 Telstra Road To Discovery winner Miss Bruce let the audience in on why she was the recipient of the performer prize.
A little bit country, a little bit pop, and a little shake from the folk jar, Bruce’s set was full of honest lyrics and sincere musicianship. She played songs such as ‘Only One’ and other originals, attesting to the fact that she put her recent trip to Nashville to good use.
Although the ladies put on a good performance, the air was still littered with the disrespectful chatter of those lounging about waiting for the main act.
As five gents and a lady took their places, there was a mood shift in the room. The couches were vacated, people shuffled to the front, the chatter noticeably lessened, and all eyes were glued to the stage.
Melbourne marked the last gig of independent artist Woody Pitney’s Afterdust tour, the name taken from his latest EP.
Pitney and band launched into a series of songs that played to their strengths: youthful excitement, catchy hooks, upbeat tempos, the presence of violins and mandolins, a frontman with equally strong and gentle tones to his voice, and all-round smile inducing folk music.
Their material may sound familiar in parts, and you certainly hear the influences coming through – but overall, there’s a promise of tomorrow, making them a delight to watch live.
It was easy to hum along to the chorus of ‘Rock Over Water’, a song that highlighted Pitney’s infectious enthusiasm and itch to join the good folk at the front, who clearly brought their dancing shoes along for the night.
The singer then gave his band a breather as he delved into a lovely solo rendition of the INXS classic ‘Don’t Change’, a tune that exercised his emotive vocals and sweet harmonica playing skills.
Later on, Pitney’s cover of Aussie favourite, Bernard Fanning’s ‘Songbird’, accompanied by his violinist, was well received.
Bringing the gig to a close, the headliner played that song – one that has been his most successful single to date. Topping more than 100,000 plays on Soundcloud, it also featured in a German television ad, a factor that helped generate international attention. It was the perfect little marriage of pop and folk, a combination of genres further heightened in ‘You Can Stay’, and a sound akin to Of Monsters And Men.
The finale ended up being an all-in sing and dance along, with plenty of beaming smiles to match those that were shining down on the crowd from the stage.
