BLACKCHORDS are one of the innovative newer bands on the Australian stage.
Led by singer songwriter Nick Milwright, BLACKCHORDS have developed over some years by funneling influences from Jeff Buckley to Coldplay into their own sound. Take a bit of time in Paris to flavor up the musical brew and this is a band who were capable of delivering a debut album that had time to mature before its release.
Way too many acts these days pop out a debut record that sounds like it was written yesterday but BLACKCHORDS debut sounds like it could be a forth of fifth album.
Taking that sound from studio to the stage, as they did last Friday (April 24, 2009) seemed like a seamless effort. BLACKCHORDS were comfortable with the songs and the structure before they came on stage to play moments from their debut at the official album launch at The Espy in St Kilda.
It was an interesting setlist. The show opened with the first three songs from the album in order before they juggled the set. That made sense. The nice thing about the BLACKCHORDS album is the consistency. It is an album that you play from beginning to end and then again.
Hearing the songs in a different order felt a bit like an iPod on shuffle. Only ‘Sinking Like Stone’ was left out but a chilling version of John Lennon’s ‘Working Class Hero’ took its place. What an interesting song to choose. Only die-hard Lennon fans know the song. A lot of people would know the Marianne Faithfull version just as well. BLACKCHORDS took it off with ease. In fact, the opening structure of their ‘At World’s End’ has similarities in mood to the Lennon song. Add John as an influence for this band as well.
BLACKCHORDS pulled a good crowd at The Espy. More than 250 threw down their hard earned bucks for the party to welcome in the new album. Well done, considering it was cold, windy and raining.
Managing to pull off a pub gig and warm a crowd was a great feat but the true magic of hearing this album live will be when BLACKCHORDS get to play in a theatre.
Do you want a band to watch in 2009? Well watch BLACKCHORDS!
Here was the setlist:
Intro
At World’s End (from BLACKCHORDS)
22 (from BLACKCHORDS)
These Lights (from BLACKCHORDS)
Broken Bones (from BLACKCHORDS)
Raise My Hands (from BLACKCHORDS)
Switch (from BLACKCHORDS)
Working Class Hero (John Lennon cover)
Diplomat (from BLACKCHORDS)
New Song Frenchy
December (from BLACKCHORDS)
Home of the Tired (from BLACKCHORDS)
Pretty Little Thing (from BLACKCHORDS)
Watch BLACKCHORDS perform Broken Bones @ Undercover for the USessions:
