Gravity Coffee Critics’ Choice Prize Thursday 6 October, The King’s Arms
Photo's by Rose Cawley
Soulful pop songstress Kimbra has taken out the 2011 Gravity Coffee Critics' Choice Prize. Along with Auckland trio Popstrangers and Christchurch's The Unfaithful Ways, Kimbra performed live at the King's Arms on Thursday. As a prelude to the New Zealand Music Awards on November 3, a panel of 13 music critics had the tough job of selecting a winner they believe has the chops to score a Tui award and build a successful music career. At the time the up and coming artists are nominated they can't have released an album, they have to have had a song on the radio within the qualifying period (June 1 2011 to May 31 2011), and they can't have been a finalist in any New Zealand Music Awards. They're being judged on their future potential.
First to take the stage was Popstrangers, with their mix of alternative noise pop. Hosts Shannon Ryan and "Wannaben" (aka Ben Boyce) had prepared the crowd to get "fuzz drenched" and there certainly was a lot of sound coming from those amps. The noise element of Popstrangers' sound
wasn't really my cup of tea, and the sometimes screamed vocals from lead singer Joel Flyger weren't quite as soul searing as those of say The Checks' Ed Knowles. That said, when he's not screaming Flyger's singing creates a fantastic contrast to the underlying feedback, guitar thrashing and general noise. Recent addition to the line up Jimmy Mac pulled all the compulsory drummer facial expressions as he whipped away at the back of the stage - he's no Keith Moon in that department but he can definitely play.
It took a while to get into their set, with most of the songs sounding much the same. Although, one energetic couple were inspired into frenzied dancing-turned-moshing from the offset, so clearly they enjoyed what was on offer. I was waiting for Popstrangers to deliver that real crowd-grabber which never quite came, but halfway through they did impress with new single What Else Could They Do. It's one to lose yourself in; dreamy vocals juxtaposed with grungy guitar interludes. There was some great guitar work, with melodic riffs and a surprising almost Santana-esque solo, but I was never totally captivated.
The Unfaithful Ways hit the stage with a completely different sound, performing at their alt-country best. Barely out of the opening bars of first song Yesterday I Loved You But Today I Just Don't Care, lead singer Marlon Williams' mic stand suddenly shot to half its size, Williams deftly gliding down on one knee to follow it, never missing a beat. With their smooth-as-honey harmonies, Sebastian Warne's beautiful wielding of the electric
guitar, and Williams' sincere vocals, The Unfaithful Ways won over the crowd. It was a set injected with just the right amount of onstage banter, Williams thanking the audience with a humble grin after each number. At times they changed things up, bassist Ben Woolley and Warne taking turns at lead vocals with Williams harmonising. Williams is a talented vocalist and charming stageman but this is not a one-man-band and it's great to see them showcase their respective talents.
From the heartbreaking resignation of Katie My Darling, the first single off their debut album (due out October 25), to the Johnny Cash drive of Ghost Of This Town and Restless, Reckless, Ready, The Unfaithful Ways kept the audience hooked; pulling them in with traditional country anguish and then taking things up a notch. Their finale Trouble I'm In was a grim, burning fusion of guitars and harmonies, backed by Simon Brouwer on the drums. They received a great response from the crowd and one first time listener was heard declaring "That was outstanding".
Some serious equipment took the stage in the set up for final act Kimbra and the crowd packed forward in anticipation. Accompanied by a troupe of four males on drums, keyboards, synths and guitar, Kimbra burst onstage in a glittery, ‘50s-inspired number as eye catching as her energetic performance would be. Tambourine in hand she launched into the funk-infused Call Me. This petite 21-year-old has an incredible stage presence and an even bigger voice for such a slightly lass. She drew the crowd under her spell with her single Settle Down, before further entrancing them with the hocus-pocus of Good Intent.
Kimbra's voice is so dynamic, and her hands are an extension of that voice as she physically shapes the air
in front of her when she sings. Punctuating the music with a pump of her tiny fists or a wave of her fingers, it's as though she's conducting every element of the live performance around her. She's captivating to watch. Her music is so infectious you can't help but get your shoulders into it as you groove along, and at times there's a contrasting grimy attitude to her own staccato dancing.
Last year Street Chant took the title against The Naked And Famous and Homebrew in the first Critics' Choice Prize. If the success of those bands is anything to go by, we're sure to be seeing thisimpressive and diverse trio making a significant mark on the industry.
(The prize includes a $10,000 recording and music video grant from NZ On Air, a Forge Media ‘Band Box - Pumped' for things like CD pressing, $2000 to spend at The NZ Rockshop, and mentoring from some of NZ music's big industry figures.)
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Tagged as : Gravity Coffee Critics' Choice Prize | Kimbra | Popstrangers | The Unfaithful Way | concert review |
