Live Review: The Stress Of Leisure, Primitive Motion, McKisko

It’s testament to the camaraderie in the local scene that an artist the calibre of McKisko would deign to open proceedings for a fellow Brisbane outfit’s launch, Helen Franzmann’s wistful and melancholic music also proving emotive and uplifting, her laidback confidence only magnifying the charm. The restrained sonic landscapes embrace space, built predominantly upon looped organic sounds and augmented by hushed singing, although the last couple of numbers are more akin to traditional slowcore (a la Low or Smog) utilising subtle guitar under the vocals to equally strong effect. 

Soon the night continues to blossom slowly towards bloom with the introduction of fellow locals Primitive Motion, the pairing of Leighton Craig and Sandra Selig concocting a warm blend of catchy esoterica. They favour different permutations of gentle instrumentation — their range including flute, sax and clarinet alongside more traditional fare — while their voices loll and softly intertwine, the resultant noise unique but never far from stirring. They have a new album Pulsating Time Fibre hot off the presses, and on tonight’s performance their distinctive, sub-tropical avant garde will be worming its way into plenty more ears in the not-too-distant future.

The small, funky band room is well packed by the time the launch finally flowers fully with the entrance of The Stress Of Leisure, frontman Ian Powne making an impassioned spoken introduction invoking the spectre of Stefan’s Sky Needle before they burst into action with the cowbell-heavy Theme Song For Fitness. Fresh number Sylvia Plath — the first taste of new album Achievement which is being celebrated tonight — translates well to the live realm, all upbeat and debonair, Powne’s role as the sole male on stage jeopardised when erstwhile drummer Phil Usher joins the fray to offer additional tambourine to the melodic melodrama that is Girl On A Lilo. Shark Killer flies by, bassist Jane Elliott delivering fat bass lines and locking into prodigal drummer Jessica Moore’s awesome dance grooves during White Funk??, before they move onto Professional Woman and white hot brand newie Too Much Sitting Not Enough Standing. The sartorially elegant Powne has really grown into his stage persona — exuding a cocksure confidence and complete willingness to unleash his jittery charisma on the unsuspecting throng — and he comes into his own amidst the sly grooves of awesome new single No Idea Is The New Idea. Pascalle Burton’s big synth lines dominate the sonic vista of Work It Out, before the night wraps up with the one-two punch of the acerbic Aim High Get High and sultry sleaze of Sex Time. A wonderful night of diverse homegrown music, effortlessly showcasing in the process the breadth of talent existing right under our noses — some achievement indeed.