HuskyThere's hardly anyone here when we arrive and the atmosphere is a bit flat. It might be because everyone else is at Laneway, or because this event hasn't been advertised much, an odd move considering the Garden Party program at the Melbourne Recital Centre has some top quality acts performing over the next few weeks (Electric Empire, Bertie Blackman, The Bamboos, Courtney Barnett, etc.). Today it's Caitlin Park, The Trouble With Templeton and Husky's turn.
The Garden Party is a peachy concept. The stage looks out onto an astroturf garden dotted with umbrellas and surrounded by pink flamingos and garden gnomes. There's beer up the back and pizza being sold from a caravan. All the elements are there for a lovely, laidback Sunday afternoon, but it still feels flat. It might be the timing. Or it might be the Febfast effect. Caitlin Park performs to just a handful of people, and then there's an hour-long wait before The Trouble With Templeton take to the stage. Would the wait be more fun with beer? TTWT's Tom Calder arrives onstage and plays the lovely I Wrote A Novel solo before the band joins him and he thanks us for not being at Laneway. “Laneway sucks!” someone yells out. Actually, it doesn't, but it's nice to pretend. Calder's old-soul lyrics and plaintive voice pull at the heartstrings and offset his band's chilled out, melodic folk perfectly. They mostly play material from the upcoming second album they're currently in the throes of recording.
Another hour and local lads Husky emerge and head straight into Tidal Wave. It could just be the cool breeze, but the song gives me tingles. All three vocalists have beautiful voices, the songs are peacefully luscious and the harmonies are gorgeous, bringing Junip to mind. Gideon Preiss is incredible on keys, at one point delivering a hugely impressive keyboard solo. Husky, too, are currently recording their second record, and they do play some new songs, but they draw mostly from their gorgeous debut. Forever So is followed by Hundred Dollar Suit and Animals & Freaks. They play the rousing History's Door and leave on Leonard Cohen's Lover, Lover, Lover. Something is definitely missing atmosphere-wise, but musically, it's a politely agreeable Sunday afternoon.
