Shiver Like Timber
Shiver Like Timber tries to warm the crowd up with some minimalist solo folk combining only her electric guitar and her vocals. I can’t quite decide whether I like her vocal style or not. I quite liked the track called Wandertumble. Shiver Like Timber is an act that you would have to make up your own mind about because I haven’t at this point. There is potential but it needs some work or something.
Performance 5.5
Technical 7.5
Chris Pickering
Chris Pickering performed a solo set accompanying his vocals with his guitar and harmonica. Chris Pickering’s inherent alternate country style captivates the fast growing Troubadour crowd. The thing I like the most about The Troubadour is that it attracts a respectful and intimate audience. This is the case during Chris Pickering’s set and the crowd warms to him quite well. Chris’s set finishes with a huge round of applause from the now almost full-to-capacity Troubadour.
Performance 6.5
Technical 7.5
The Small Knives
The Small Knives from Melbourne play to a restless crowd as it is now getting late and people are eager to see the main act for the night. The chatter of the crowd builds during their set but they push though with what is a pretty tight performance. The Small Knives are a folk group with pop influences. I am sure I would have enjoyed this set more if I myself wasn’t starting to get tired and restless and wanted to see the headlining act for the night. As a reviewer pointed out on FasterLouder, The Small Knives have a very similar sound to Norwegian band “Kings of Convenience”.
Performance 6
Technical 7
Bill Callahan (formerly Smog)
I went into this gig having not heard much of Callahan’s discography. I went purely on a friend’s recommendation. Since seeing him live, I have spent a bit of time researching and listening to some of his earlier works. Bill Callahan’s music has an elegant and simplistic feel that is reminiscent of his former Smog days however this newer material incorporates a greater depth of instrumentation. Bill Callahan and his single small acoustic guitar is joined on stage by three female violinist who double as backing vocalists on some tracks, a bass guitar player and a drummer. The band never attracts your attention away from Callahan’s guitar and vocals, rather providing simply subtleties that bring depth whilst still maintaining that simple and natural feel. Diamond Dancer and Sycamore are set highlights from the latest release Woke on a Whaleheart. Other highlights from the two hour (from 11pm to 1am) long set included, Teenage Spaceship, Rock Bottom Riser, and Cold Blooded Old Times. The Troubadour’s sound gear held up surprisingly well to Bill Callahan strong and commanding baritone vocals.
Performance 9
Technical 9
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