Last night (4 November, 2008) I witnessed two sets from Martha Wainwright and her support act Angus & Julia Stone that couldn’t be more different. One look at the crowd told me the majority were lefty (I’m one too, before I sound like a fascist!), middle class professionals who were there for Martha first and foremost and who’d probably heard about her through the Observer (heck, an English teacher from my high school was there). However, by the end of Angus & Julia’s set they were clearly won over to their curious alt-folk – and quite right too.

Enchanting ingénues Angus & Julia Stone beguiled the crowd with their pretty folk sound in a set characterised by honest to goodness talent and quiet charm. The elaborately designed domed ceiling of the Oxford Town Hall was beautifully lit and gave the appearance of a fine lace cover over the stage which set off the pair’s delicate and breathy vocal styles perfectly. Julia’s witchy delivery was particularly spellbinding and a new track from Angus which peaked in an angry, rockier chorus was also notable.

It really is astonishing how talented the two are. And how they can put up with each other on the road. I don’t think my brother and I would last a day on a tour bus together! Their backing band are equally gifted.

Guitarist Clay had taught himself drums especially for the tour after their regular drummer was taken sick and he showed himself to be pretty proficient on the old skins. An unecessary apology for any mistakes (none that I could spot) was given before a rumbling and throaty “A Book Like This”, which was the high point of the set for me – that and an old song the siblings had written at band camp some years ago on the hoof which incorporated “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and provoked gentle chuckles from the crowd.

Given their wonderful music, it’s especially striking how shy the pair are – Angus in particular seemed content to hide behind hair and hat and left most of the inter-song banter to sister Julia. I guess they were new to most of the crowd last night but I predict that sales of their album will definitely increase after this tour finishes. I do love them so. “A Book Like This” is definitely one of my favourite albums of 2008 – possibly even my most favourite. They sound and look like they’ve stepped out of your most lovely imaginings and I hope their success builds and sustains over time. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

In contrast to the winsome humility of Angus & Julia, Martha Wainwright was her typical showy self – a presence massively opposed to her support but which was nonetheless compelling. Martha is herself one of famous siblings, and I couldn’t help but wonder as I watched her extravagant gestures and evident pleasure in being on the stage, what teatime at the Wainwrights must have been like with all those performers jostling for attention in one room. School friends must have been made of strong stuff to visit, for sure! The venue’s baroque décor suited Martha’s ostentatious and emotive vocal style perfectly. Boy can that woman belt out some tunes. By the time she got to singing a jazzy number in French, I concluded as a mere mortal, that’s just showing off …! “You Cheated Me” and a closing cover of Pink Floyd’s “See Emily Play” were my personal highlights although at times an overwrought and bombastic vocal style proved a little too much to take.

Martha’s between song patter was tongue in cheek and a million miles away from her confessional music, and was certainly evidence of her professionalism as well as a charismatic and dramatic personality. Thanking her excellent band and support as well as technicians alike (she rightly pointed out the sound men did wonders in what must have been a tough space to work with), she was slick and classy without sounding insincere. In fact I’d say her patter was refreshingly chipper and much welcome after the emotional gymnastics of her songs.

In all, gold stars are due to both acts. My fondness for Angus & Julia was admittedly my main reason for going and they didn’t disappoint; but credit where it’s due to the main act: Martha gave a set which no one could criticise for being sloppy or indifferent – she’s a born entertainer with a voice that demands to be heard. Now, thank you.

Martha Wainwright on amazon.com

Martha Wainwright on amazon.co.uk

Martha Wainwright Official Website

Angus & Julia Stone on amazon.com

Angus & Julia Stone on amazon.co.uk

Angus & Julia Stone Official Website

By: Lindsey Davis

Regular readers will recall how much I love Angus & Julia Stones‘ album ‘A Book Like This’, so it was no surprise that I hotfooted it to Oxford’s Jericho Tavern (28th April, 2008) to catch the antipodean duo in action, accompanied by photographer Gina Policelli. We were not disappointed.

The small venue got increasingly crammed as people jostled to find a space from which they could gaze adoringly at the duo. We were in good company: no less than Romeo from the Magic Numbers was in attendance, which occasioned much excitement from your roving reporter (as anyone who knows me can well imagine). It appears he’s friends with the band as well as a man with exceedingly good musical taste. Off to a good start, then.

The venue itself was perfect for the kind of intimacy Angus & Julia’s music lends itself to – small enough to create a connection with the audience yet large enough to withhold the crowd the band drew. Adorned with leaves and large cut-outs of the picture book-style images from their album cover, the stage had a distinctly bucolic look and the band had a chilled, yet festive vibe. The festive, rural atmosphere extended to the band’s appearance: Angus and Julia looked beautiful, dressed like they’d stepped out of a medieval tableau – travellers of old come to regale the denizens of Oxford with their musical wares.

Opening with the sublime “Mango Tree” with Angus on lead vocals, followed by Julia taking the lead with “Hollywood”, I was struck by their incredible musicianship and slightly breathy, perfectly pitched though totally contrasting vocal styles. Although their voices have very different characters, in performance I noticed a breathy similarity which at times made their harmonies sound as if from one person. Their differing styles fuse to make something utterly distinctive; Angus’s deliciously crisp yet delicate voice providing a backdrop to his sisters crackling lilt – just as Julia herself returned the favour, supplying backing vocals to Angus’ wistful cadences. They took turns on lead vocals, offering the audience a set full of whimsy and feeling.

From the taut guitar of “Paper Aeroplane” to the melancholic trumpet of “Private Lawns” and the stirring harmonica on “The Wedding Song” (dedicated sweetly to a friend and/or anyone in love and in the mood for ‘making babies’), the pair proved it’s more than their vocal dexterity which makes them so beloved of musos and non-musos alike. Their voices were just two of the instruments they used to great effect. They are fine musicians: it was incredible to watch Julia effortlessly switch between guitar and trumpet (oh – she also plays keyboards too! All this and a very pretty dress to boot), and Angus looked extremely iconic as he strummed and picked his guitar and played harmonica.

Backed by Mitchell Connelly (the third member of the band) on drums and Clay MacDonald on bass for the occasion, all four were clearly in their element and looked very comfortable with each other. Crucially, they looked like they were having fun. Angus made a few gentle quips and Julia danced and skipped merrily around the mike in an endearing and elfin manner. The siblings bantered with the audience before their encore, assuring us that the rhythm section – who totally endeared themselves to the crowd – would return for a final track.

One of the final songs proved that the band can put their talents to pretty much anything; their experiments the musical equivalent to the successes of the Gold Rush prospectors in their birthplace Australia over 150 years ago. They took two totally different songs and managed to mine sensory gold from them: a mash-up of Joy Division’s “Transmission” and the Beach Boys’ “Barbara Ann”. Incongruous? Yes. Bloody brilliant? Yes again. That the band pulled this off to their own delight as well as the audience’s says it all.

This is a band who are all about sentiment and adventure. Just as the album tells a series of stories, their performance was a playful, meandering scene which stole everyone’s hearts. The duo’s voices sounded beautiful, the gig a credit to their emotional pull of their song-writing. They came across as very likeable and down to earth, hanging around the venue afterwards to their more ardent fans’ glee. They even signed my companion’s CD whilst I – star struck – stammered some praise in an embarrassing manner. Whilst my verbal praise may not have cut the mustard, I hope this review says it all. A very lovely night was had and thanks to the band for showing us how it’s done.

Angus & Julia Stone Official Website
Angus & Julia Stone Myspace

By: Lindsey Davis

OK, so I’m in love. With a brother and sister from Sydney, Australia. But before you jump to any conclusions, this is not a recipe for some Channel 5 ‘documentary’. Anything but, in fact. I merely refer to Angus & Julia Stone’s first long player, ‘A Book Like This’.

Their last release, the 2007 EP ‘Heart Full of Wine’, established them as a duo with relaxed, sunny harmonies of the folk variety – you may have heard the tracks “Private Lawns” and “Mango Tree”.

‘A Book Like This’ continues on this theme and is utterly, utterly lovely. Each track unfolds slowly and wraps itself around you beguilingly, with vocal duties shared between Julia’s witchy, Joanna Newsom-style singing and Angus’s outpourings, which sound like a slightly gruffer Nick Drake. Backed by acoustic guitars, shuffling drums, piano and occasional strings and harmonica, the pair’s offerings come off like a more accessible Devendra Banhart or a kookier Magic Numbers – surely no bad thing.

The album is comprised of sensitively crafted and delicate ditties such as opener “The Beast”, a poignant meditation on the frenetic pace of modern life; or the captivating love song “Wasted”. The title track, smack bang in the middle of the album, is a creeping and impassioned plea to a lover with some wonderful guitar work towards its conclusion.

The band’s lyrics have an essence of the fairy tale about them – but a fairy tale laced with darkness. For instance, on “Soldier”, Julia wails: “I’m the darkness but I want to be the light”, as if under a spell. They could easily soundtrack a Tim Burton film, something like Big Fish or Edward Scissorhands.

It’s Julia’s voice which provides the highlights for me, accompanied by Angus’s wonderfully melodic backing vocals. However, at times her brother’s more conventional vocals are welcome, to avoid Julia’s deliciously raggedy intonations becoming grating.

Tracks like “Hollywood”, a meditation on the way movies mislead us (”Cinderella would of scrubbed those floors til her hands/Grew old and tired nobody would look her way”) typify this fey quality; an aspect of the album which might put some off. Jaunty tracks like “Stranger”, on which Angus takes lead vocals, are a welcome respite and help keep the listener’s interest. The bluesy “Jewels and Gold” recalls a latter day Neil Young with a twist.

Subtlety is the key to this album. Its songs are extremely pretty (as are the band actually!) and ostensibly fit within the folk tradition, but calling them a folk act is not to undercut the muscle which expands each track as it gets going. With the spring tentatively showing itself in the UK, this enchanting album is perfect to sit back and listen to, glass of wine in hand, window open, as the wind gently ruffles your hair.

Angus and Julia Stone are on tour in the UK from April-May 2008.

Angus & Julia Stone on Myspace
Angus & Julia Stone Official Website

By: Lindsey Davis