Live Review: Hugo Race & The True Spirit, Mark Snarski

As soon as Mark Snarksi commences, he immediately shushes what seems like a raucous buck's party comprising punters all decked out in Savers garb – they could not have chosen a more inappropriate venue for aforementioned revelry. If you close your eyes, Snarski's timbre evokes Nick Cave – even his speaking voice. His banter's great, but overwhelmed by the din of this dinner-time crowd. When introducing his final song, Snarski quips: “Glad to see some of you out and not watching House Rules.”

There's sartorial excellence onstage all night and collared shirts and well-cut strides make a welcome change from the band-member uniform we usually witness these days: denim, T-shirts and trainers. The venue's exposed beam stage structure has Western touches – a bull skull and “Welcome” wall-hanging featuring lassoing cowboy included – which suit both of tonight's acts. Even Hugo Race & True Spirit's sound check/introductory jam is worth shutting up for as the four musicians lock into each other's grooves with ease. The energy Race brings to a room crackles with spontaneity, plus the anticipation one is about to experience greatness.

Instantly, some Crystal Ballroom-type characters emerge as if they've trammed it across from St Kilda circa-1979, standing or gyrating in appreciation. Those three-part harmonies are flawless and Higher Power wards off evil spirits. Race delivers such understated, poetic banter in between songs and that impossibly deep baritone silences all in earshot – the audiobook industry beckons. Some pleasurable bass vibrations rumble through the floor, drum patterns impress but never dominate and a traditional song that Race introduces as Poor Boy transports us somewhere bleak – vicarious trait loneliness. Everything comes so naturally to Race and co. The notes and rhythms embody each virtuoso as they masterfully extend sections and then finish in perfect sync. They use an invisible language up there that's undetectable no matter how closely one concentrates.   

A random out in the beer garden post-show commends the band's performance, but also shares his surprise as to the “serious” nature of attendees. Huge Race & True Spirit play with the gravitas these songs demand and, in turn, their congregation worships.