“Welcome to our lovely Living room! “Announces Karin Paige our host, whilst 30 or so music lovers, friends and artists comfortably arrange themselves around the beautifully illuminated room, many found space on the floor with cushions and a glass of wine, others by a mantle over the fireplace, a beer in hand trying to avoid knocking any knick knacks off as they leant against it.
This was the setting for the 169th SoFar Sounds Event worldwide, held in Karin of Spoonful of Sugar’s North Beach Home. The Event for the unfamiliar is a Global Movement founded in London, based on highlighting an artist’s natural talent, while remaining as stripped back, intimate and pure as possible. The night is recorded and then later uploaded to be seen by a far wider audience of music lovers. The rules involved are as such, the event remains a secret, even the line-up is kept secret from the performers themselves, and the audience remain absolutely silent during the artist’s performance, as to improve the recording’s quality and truly create a SoFar Sounds experience.
The first performer of the night was none other than Tim Hart of Boy & Bear, who is touring nationally to promote his first Solo Record “Milling the Wind.” His brand of Acoustic Folk while musically is not too dissimilar to his counterparts in Boy & Bear, in creating dramatic musical climaxes and peaks in melody to beats of silence that have just as much (if not more) impact. Tim’s skill as a lyricist is mesmerizing, his ability to draw you into the journey of the characters he creates makes you feel truly apart of the story. He was then accompanied by Stu Larsen; his Tour Manager and Supporting artist to perform one of his songs together, Stu’s electrifying performance was just as impressive with pitch perfect control of his voice, and harmonies with Tim as he played Acoustic Softly beside him. This is how music should be heard live.
Following on from Tim was Patient Little Sister, a brother sister duet, performing on acoustic and violin respectively. Their performance while not as atmospheric was more upbeat while being steeped deeply in Irish Folk along with clear influences from Bob Dylan, the chemistry between the two was clear as they playfully bantered between each song creating a positive and uplifting vibe.
Spoonful of Sugar the hosts for the evening, kept the vibe going following on from PLS, They opened with “Not Today” from their current EP playing what I’d like to coin as Sunshine Acoustic Pop, being very uplifting and melodic acoustic songs. They then went into a sadder song after Karin gave everyone some context around the lyrics, of a mother, and her daughter’s understanding of a tragedy, this deeply involved everyone drawing the crowd into the story and subject matter.
To close the night was Felicity Groom, who has built herself quite a reputation in Perth as an accomplished Songwriter and Composer, often Supporting John Butler. Felicity was the most instrument heavy of all the acts, with guitars, bass, drums and electric harp. Her performance closed the night dramatically with her brand of Melancholic, ambient acoustic music, her performance of “Oh Jesus” a piece from a soundtrack she’d written for a local play, was dark, emotional and spellbinding, anyone entering the room at that time would think they’d taken a wrong turn somewhere and stepped into a David Lynch film. She finished her set with us chanting alongside her through the choruses creating an otherworldly vibe which left most stunned by what can only be the most intimate of performances.
The performances were all recorded by John Aliaga from Impartial Cameraman; one song from each of the acts will be edited and uploaded to the SoFar Sounds Website, and the artist’s respective webpages.
More details of this global community can be found at www.sofarsounds.com alternatively to be involved locally you can contact perthsofar@gmail.com if you would like to host an event, volunteer a space, or participate in performing.
Reviewed by Rhys Willoughby
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