Dan Sultan- Back to Basics

After eating a yummy dinner at Cookie, Tash and I headed upstairs to The Toff In Town last night for the first of two sold out shows by Dan Sultan.  While waiting for the evening to start most of us were glued to our phones to see the result of the latest Labor Party leadership spill, which went to Kevin Rudd as he defeated Prime Minster Julia Gillard 57-45 (I guess third time's a charm).  Ruddy is back and the upcoming Federal election just got more interesting.

The purpose of these shows was for Dan to preview some new songs before he heads off overseas to record his third album.  He played solo on electric guitar across two sets with an intermission in between.  The new songs ranged from rock numbers to more soulful ones with lots of tales of heartbreak and lost love.  Dan also played some newer songs we have heard previously including his song for constitutional recognition "Do You Recognise Me," "Kimberley Calling" about his grandmother's burial place, and his new collaboration with Way Of The Eagle "Rattlesnake."  There was lots of funny banter in between songs as Dan made a few references to the Reclink Community Cup footy match over the weekend which once again ended in a draw.  He finished the evening with everyone's favorite "Old Fitzroy."

Here's the video for Way Of The Eagle's "Rattlesnake"

Cloud Control: Album Preview Show

Tash and I were very excited when Cloud Control announced a sideshow in Melbourne at the Corner Hotel while they were in Australia for the Vivid LIVE festival in Sydney.  It has been a couple of years since I last saw them play as they are now located in the UK, and this was our first chance to hear songs from their upcoming album Dream Cave.

The first act of the evening last night was Melbourne singer-songwriter Ali Barter, who played a solo set on electric guitar.  Her songs sounded good and she also did a cover of the Foo Fighters' "Tired Of You."  Next up was Sydney band Bloods who I just loved.  A girl punk band with a boy drummer, they reminded me of 1990s riot grrrl bands.  I thought they had a fantastic energy, good humor and found them to be very impressive.

The Corner was absolutely packed by the time Cloud Control took the stage.  As this was an album preview show, the set list alternated between old songs and new ones.  The new material sounded great on first listen, with a couple of really stand out tracks.  We were also treated to many songs off of their debut album Bliss Release, including my favorites "Gold Canary," "There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight," "My Fear #2" and "Ghost Story."  For the encore they played the title track "Dream Cave" and finished with their first hit single "Buffalo Country."  I am looking forward to the release of Dream Cave as well as their album tour later in the year.

Here's the new single "Dojo Rising"