Daniel Champagne
Upon arriving the doorman asked me where I came from, jokingly I said “Sydney” and he almost fell of his chair. I then said I was in Perth for business and I wanted to see some live music. He asked, “where did you find out about it?” I wasn’t sure, some dwarf website. He asked “do you like guitar. Like beaty, rhythm, slap, drum sort of guitar,” or something liked that… YES! Of course I do…
“Cool story Hansel!” I hear you say. I needed to start it off that way because there is no better way to start a description of Champagne’s music than ‘beaty, rhythm, slap, drum sort of guitar’!
Harmonious, rhythmic… F’ing beautiful music. Tuning during songs to achieve a unique sound, playing fast, playing slow and playing juuust right! It’s almost like he has milked every possible sound a guitar has the potential of making!
Starting with a Willie Dickson cover that had the crowd in awe, his rendition had only inklings of its original. This wasn’t where the covers ended. His take on Don McLean’s Vincent was nothing less than beautiful.
It was however, his original pieces that really shined. My favourite, The nightingale. I was initially engaged with the story of when he first wrote it (just plain hilarious), it was the lyrical journey and the sweet soul of the guitar that drew me in.
Instrumental called Pendulum had this slight guitar fault whilst he was playing that sounded strangely like it should have been part of the song…
It’s little treasures like watching Daniel Champagne that make me happy that I have a willingness to go to a a gig on a whim. Let your whim guide you in his direction also!
Lucie Thorne
Quiet unassuming voice when she spoke, almost an un-stagelike shy presence, turned into a smokey, smooth and sultry voice to match the deep, sometimes dark and thoughtful lyrics. A sweet, sweet reverberating guitar reminiscent of relaxing, Sunday morning music; the type you eat your pancakes to.
Lucie’s music was both relaxing and enjoyable. Her song Alice has throw backs to 90′s rock with a mix of blues, and her other songs just seemed to cruise along with little effort but a lot of grace.
Lucie brought this guy on that played this broken down guitar turned rhythm instrument, along with a fuel can… It was a bit cool, I’m not going to lie!
She kept this groovy, loungey treasure, five years, till the end an it was worth the wait.
I’d recommend a night on the wines, or if you can wrangle the pancakes and coffee then do that… You will enjoy this one!
Justin Walsh Folk Machine
Sound chicken! That’s the way Justin Walsh and the Folk machine sound checked… Good, clean sound chicken. You probably need to see it to get it?!?!
The story telling ability of this band is what draws you in immediately. Folksy, pretty, musical tales. A mix of modern, classic and strange instruments gave the folk machine a unique sound.
His music almost seemed like a lyrical, historical tour of Australia. Not sure I’ve heard a modern day song about Bourke and Wills but this one was cool! This music is flat out Australian!
Folk mixed with some rock mixed with a one off poem recital equalled a simply entertaining performance. I think all that was missing was some damper and a billy!
If knee slapping, heel tapping and smiling are your thing then you’ll most certainly enjoy this!
The Fremantle Blues & Roots Club @ Mojo’s
Please, please I urge you to not judge this place by its super tacky exterior… It’s pretty neony and colourful if you know what I mean. Step inside and it’s the ambience you would expect. Old chairs, simple bar but a space that lends itself to the hero, music!
Red, padded velvet walls surround the stage, basic lighting and an un-illuminated mirror ball all add to the simplicity of this space. It seems they get a lot of great gigs here, I would definitely recommend it! If you are near or visiting Fremantle then check this place out!
