Bliss

[Poster by greedy hen]

I feel as though I’m stalking Jinja Safari.

While I’m not planning to name my first born Jinja or Safari, nor am I building tumblrs or fossicking through their garbage bins. I have seen them play 3 times this year and it’s only March.

Though they are a new band with a limited arsenal of songs to fill their set list - they still provoke me to throw myself into a convulsions resembling a wonky highland fling, with flashes of Zumba hip swivelling and Kevin Bacon inspired posing. This was probably not the best rehab for my new running injury and my dancing certainty isn’t an effective mating call. But regardless of this, I would happily continue my winning streak of seeing Jinja Safari once a month for the rest of the year.

[Jinja safari]

I was slightly more apprehensive about seeing Cloud Control, as I have also seen then a handful of times in quick succession. The difference between the two bands; is that I’ve surgically grafted Cloud Control’s “Bliss release” album to my ear. I’ve had it on high rotation for the last six months and know the songs so intimately that my genes have probably mutated to include the album’s score.

While the album doesn’t sound stale, I was dubious that Cloud Control would have any element of surprise in their show. As a stint in the UK and a massive touring schedule hasn’t left the band with any time to release any more ‘bliss’.

Yet any fears I had were shelved within the first song. The band seemed like they have been missing Sydney, as they played with joyful abandonment and the crowd were equally enthralled. The set list had a lovely mix of lesser known B-sides and tracks off their award winning debut album. With the help of the boys from Fishing, Cloud Control also dished up a new cover of a School of Seven Bells track.

[Cloud Control]

House party

An artist I know became so frustrated by being “constrained by the parameters of canvas”, she started experimenting with light installations. It seems that most people present at Garden Music on the weekend felt similarly frustrated They didn’t start brandishing light bulbs, but they did ditch the free canvas on offer, in favour of slathering their limbs in paint.

Floral sundresses, high waisted short shorts, hula hoops, trilby hats, bare feet, parasols, suspenders and rockabilly attitudes were also favoured attire. All of which are not befitting the typical standards set by Government House.

Needless to say the Historic Houses Trust can throw a heck of party.

The Trust kindly opened the doors and grounds Government House, for a Sunday afternoon Garden Party. Constructed between 1837 and 1845, Government House “is the most sophisticated Gothic revival building in the state (NSW)”. To put it plainly – it’s jaw droppingly beautiful. The cavernous rooms are lit by natural sunlight from enormous bay windows and lined with bespoke carpets, so soft it puts my new sleeping mat to shame. The furniture and textiles throughout are a delightful blend of contemporary and Victorian styles.

When you’re having a house party it’s important to get the right vibe. To achieve this, there were garden games including croquet and badminton.

For the less competitive there were hula hoops, free newspapers and ‘Art en plein air’ (free art supplies so you could capture your impressions of the day). To keep the energy levels up, after lounging in the hot afternoon sun, a selection of French pasteries, tea and iced coffee were available.

This was all lovely, but what is a party without music?

There were performances throughout the day by – Ngalire, First Flight Crew, Lanie Lane, Deep Sea Arcade, Jinja Safari and Jonathan Boulet. In between sets, the very witty Gramophone Man kept the beats going on his beautiful brass gramophone.

This is a shot of one of the blokes from Jinja Safari scaling the scaffolding - gosh they are the bees knees and cause me to dance with wild tribal abandonment till my heart aches and my arm pits are swimming in sweat. Not the most attractive of descriptions, but look in the mirror if you happen to listen to their music - chances are you be throwing around moves that would make the Governor General blush.

Born Ruffians

Born Ruffians + Jinja Safari @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (03/01/2011)

Remember the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters? With it’s flabby, rotund belly of marshmallow that “terrifies (anyone) beyond the capacity of rational thought”.

When I saw the Born Ruffians play at Laneway two years ago, it sounded like they were playing from inside the gut of Mr. Stay Puff. The sound was so muffled it was almost impossible to make out the songs, despite having listen to the album “Red, Yellow & Blue” with somewhat overzealous vigor that summer.

Unfortunately the whole festival was marred by horrendous acoustics, with the sound engineers having to shepherd sound waves through the narrow laneways of glass and steel.*

Needless to say I was peachy keen to see the Born Ruffians in the intimate surrounds of OAF.

Up first were Sydney based band Jinja Safari, who did exactly what any warm up band is paid to do – get the crowd in the mood. The room was pulsating with their playful concoction of rhythmic jungle beats, island guitar, calypso keys, and layered vocals. The crowd returned the favor by with vigorous dancing and a chorus of animal sounds.

While their musical influences are so numerous and eclectic, each song was a tightly crafted pop gem. It’s hard to believe that they only played their first live show in May 2010 – they are definitely a band to watch out for in 2011.

The crowd stepped their energy levels up a notch when the Born Ruffians took to the stage. The dancing was so vigorous during the opening number “Foxes Mate for Life” - Mitch Derosier (bass) queried whether the crowd would be able to maintain their enthusiasm by the time song ten rolled around.

The band were left in no doubt of the stamina of Sydneysiders, as they danced manically throughout the 90minute set, which covered a tasty blend of older songs such as “Little Garcon”, “Hummingbird” and “Hedonistic Me” to newer songs “What to Say” and “Sole Brother”.

[photo via: Charlotte Zoller]