Angus and Julia Stone w/ Paris Motel – Scala, London – 08/05/2008

-
Scala, Kings Cross. Photograph by Dan

Two nights at the Scala for the Australian brother-sister duo; which means either that news of their delicate boy-girl harmonies and dreamy acoustic tunes is spreading, or their tour manager has problems with her copy-and-paste technique (it’s their auntie by the way). This was the second night and the Scala was sold out again, buzzing with a healthy ratio of jovial lager-swilling Aussies (not that I’m a peddler of stereotypes or anything …) out to support some of their own.
Paris Motel

I’ve been on a great run of useful support acts at shows recently, and tonight that look set to continue as the intriguing Paris Motel offered up their distinctly hard to classify sound. Led by classically trained singer/violinist Amy Mae, there were all of nine people in the small space already decked with flowers, ivy, and fairy lights to Julia Stone’s whimsical taste. Mae’s vampish appearance and the mini-orchestra gave an element of moody art-deco style to the performance, but at the other end of the stage was an exhibitionist bass player going through plenty of moves Hooky would have been proud of, and at the rear a beaming Motown-ish drummer. All very confusing, but best not to over-analyse and just soak up the entertainment. The sounds ranged from dark chamber pop and cabaret meets VU torch songs to country-tinged and thumpingly upbeat. They were getting a good reception, and sneaked in an extra song, but never quite managed to impose themselves on the chatty crowd: a friendly bunch these Australians. If they had managed it, dominating the room would have leant their songs more of the atmosphere they were generating, and ultimately they were let down by a pretty muddy mix (and I was near the sound desk) – which was strange given that Angus and Julia’s vocals were so crisp later and they had the two days to get things right. The variety of instruments on stage never came across as richly as they should have, and Amy Mae’s vocals were unintelligible to the point of not even being able to pick out a title (not having heard it previously) from any track on new album In the Salpêtrière. So: watchable, interesting, but slightly disappointing on the night though not their fault. Maybe they’ll be better served at Bush Hall towards the end of the month.

Angus and Julia. Photographs by Andrew Dowdall.

A surge from the bars as Angus and Julia’s stage time approached meant that the club was now heaving. I was expecting a full run through of A Book Like This, but half the set was from their earlier two EPs Heart Full of Wine & Chocolates and Cigarettes (now available as one CD), plus a couple of new songs. Lean and simple, as in simply beautiful, songs sung perfectly – both separately and in the mind-reading harmonies that only siblings can manage. Angus is a humble performer and lets Julia’s ‘kooky’ stage presence dominate whilst he lurks in the shadows (of his own facial hair), even when singing lead. Julia has the alternately sweet/croaky delivery that keeps every one of her numbers punchy and arresting, and has a more immediately emotional batch of personal songs. Angus contributes more of the understated folk-rock that, shallow person that I am, was the hook that caught me initially – helped hugely by his equally vital drier floating whisper of a voice. It was a gentle evening, with the room only fully coming alive for the bouncy ‘Just A Boy’. I couldn’t help but think that many songs would be served better by an outdoor setting, or at least more light on stage (hence the poor result of my photographic efforts), to match their sunnier mood, and there were occasional inter-song pauses and set list order lapses that led to a loss of momentum.

Endearingly low-key they may be but they need to hone the professionalism a touch. A couple of semi-reggae semi-instrumental outings featuring Julia on trumpet could have done with some judicial trimming and saw my interest flagging; and the Antipodean crowd resolutely seemed just as keen on socialising amongst themselves as being attentive fans, although they undoubtedly were.

It was never going to be the kind of life-affirming gig that leaves you buzzing, but a thoroughly pleasant night out all the same that left a smile on the face and a warm feeling in the belly (or was that just the Stella?). Angus and Julia are back in London at The Roundhouse in September, so all those who missed them have a full season of listening to their summery sounds before getting along. They should have sold enough copies not to worry about the electricity bill by then.

[Download Paris Motel - In the Salpêtrière]
[Download Angus and Julia Stone - A Book Like This]