I’ve been a Jack Carty fan ever since his debut EP Wine & Consequence passed across my desk. So I’m thrilled to see the artist he’s grown in to, as showcased by his stunning first long player, One Thousand Origami Birds.
Opening up the cardboard sleeve, you know you’re in for something special. It’s beautifully illustrated with those titular origami birds swarming over landscapes. With the rise of digital media cover art has all but been forgotten, but my inner vinylphile laps up this sort of effort. It really sets the tone for an album that’s a cut above.
The laidback folky sound I fell in love with has been built upon here. It’s still driven by the gentle plucking of an acoustic guitar, but the clever use of strings and brass adds fullness and life. “Grey Sky” is the sort of soaring epic that I can imagine hearing on a Damien Rice disc. “Them There Hills” was another stand-out for me. It seems so simple with its acoustic guitar picking and foot stomping, but it stirred me like an old blues song. The soundscapes Jack paints are matched by earnest, poetic lyrics.
Anyone who’s been reading my blog for a while knows I have a soft spot for acoustic guitar loving songwriting folky musicians. But even I can admit there’s a glut of them. With One Thousand Origami Birds Jack Carty’s proven he has the stuff to stand out from the pack. This album is truly something special.
The boys from Budgewoi better known as 
My mediocre night started with Tinie Tempah. I have no clue who thought it’d be a good idea to pair the inoffensive piano pop of The Script with the stylings of this brash Brit rapper, but it was a weird mix, to say the least. I hated his music, but was amused by his arrogant on stage persona. There’s something very contrived about a performer who demands crowd participation. People will wave their hands in the air and sing along if they feel like it; you really shouldn’t need to push it. I also feel a bit cheated when a performer merely raps over the work of other musicians, but that might just be me. The Video Hits loving crowd on the floor seemed to lap up his set, but I spent it giggling and cringing at his over-the-top antics. At least I was entertained.
Hearing the familiar piano driven music of The Script was a welcome respite from all that hip hop garbage. The Irishmen delivered a really solid set featuring tunes from their self titled debut and their sophomore effort Science and Faith in equal measures. They interacted with the crowd, and I couldn’t help melting every time they told us how much they appreciated our support and country. We sang along loudly to the big hits, no prompting needed. See Tinie? We’ll sing if we want to.
Musicians from around the world will take over Griffith University’s Meadowbrook Campus on April 30 for the New Ground Festival. The event is designed to celebrate diversity, so it’s only fitting that it’ll take place in Logan, one of Queensland’s most culturally rich cities.
7 April 2011 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
Some of Melbourne’s most exciting musicians have paid their respects to one of the city’s most influential artists, Nick Cave, with a new compilation album. Dig Cave Dig is a homage to Nick’s diverse body of work.