Live Review – Catcall, Sydney 2010
News posted Thursday, August 19 2010 at 11:00 AM.
Related: Catcall.
Catcall
GoodGod Small Club, Sydney
Saturday, August 14
It's been two years since Catcall's last release, and that was her first, the Anniversary EP. I raved about it in print and in person to anyone who would listen. I almost lost it in my last house move, my housemates as keen on it as I was. The cardboard cover is worn and softened around the edges from overuse; the thin plastic cover over that, split down one side. I thought, and still think, it's amazing – and continue to say so. As with any good musical release – the special kind that hits you in the right place – I feel that these songs are now mine. They've played behind new partners, broken friendships, the spring cleaning of the first flat, my ascent into adulthood. So, of course, I approach tonight’s gig with trepidation. What if she lets me down?
Tonight, Catcall plays with Owen Penglis (Straight Arrows) on drums, Harriet Hudson (Circle Pit) on keys and former Kiosk bandmate Angela Bermuda (Circle Pit) centring the venn diagram on bass. Every song is new, presumably from the upcoming album. They're rockier than the EP, and through the absence of some of the brattiness of tracks like 'Chicky Babe' and 'C.C.', it's evident Catherine Kelleher and her music has matured. She’s in a transitional stage, but these songs still sound like they have room to grow.
Kelleher commands the stage with a confident air, but there's just the faintest hint of insecurity lingering. It’s endearing and humanising and suggests she’s got something to prove. When she sings, “One second/One second with you”, the set becomes more than just an opportunity to air new songs, but a thing of true, ephemeral beauty. The coloured lights reflect off her long, silver, cape-like shrug, the people around her dance exultantly, though to my inebriated eyes they move in slow, blurred motion. I spill my drink on my shoes, my mouth agape. It really is such a beautiful moment. She closes her eyes, and tilts her head towards the ceiling, repeating that one line. “One second/One second with you.”
And soon it's all over. The house DJ takes over and we're left to consider all those important indie questions, like whether it's better than her old stuff and whether it works live. It is, and it does. I smile, knowing these songs too will soon be mine.
by A.H. Cayley
+
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1/10
The review: 10/10
Were you there tugboat?
wha?
Nah.
Saw Catcall once and will not see her again.
Where is this venue with the reflecting coloured lights?
I'd lose the first par.
Really helpful there tugboat. Thanks.
hhmmm.
Review the live show.
So is Good God having regular live gigs again? Is Jimmy still running it?
yup and yup. sounds like they bought the whole venue (ie the restaurant) and have plans for it, but in the short term its back in a similar setup to how it was.
catcall is great. but this review would have been more interesting to me if what the music actually sounded like was discussed - saying it's rockier than the ep doesn't mean much
love the new song by the way. this upcoming album is probably the only new music i'm excited about at the moment
shitcall more like it. lolzrrs. Also alec i suggest listening to more music in the quest for exciting new releases.
highs five
tugboat - how long ago was it that you heard Catcall? I say come out to the next show & have a listen because she's probably changed since the last time you saw her!
alec - you can download Catcall's new single, Swimming Pool (Julian Mendelsohn Extended Remix) from here http://swimmingpool.catcallmusic.com/ - enjoy!
ashtrayballs and tugboat are ssssooooo lame
bellaboogaloo - got it, thanks. that's what i was talking about. the chorus is amazing
Anyone got the original 'Swimming Pool'?
Shaun - you're just going to have to wait a little while longer for that one ;-)
3 way high fives
Damn right.
You were right and I was wrong.
xox