I tell you what, it’s nice to be back in Melbourne after spending 17 days in Adelaide. It’s even nicer being here at The Workers Club – especially because The Trouble With Templeton are playing. This will be the third time I’ve seen them in four months and I really can’t think of a better way to spend a Friday night.
There aren’t many people here; not yet anyway. It could be because this weekend is taken up by Falls Festival – that, or everyone is still hungover/recovering from Christmas. There are about fifteen of us in the candle-lit bandroom. We’re scattered. A few people are sitting crosslegged on the floor, or are leaning up against the wall. My housemate Liv (who is quickly becoming my regular plus one) and I have opted to stand. Like the rest of the crowd, we’re silent. The beautiful Ali Barter is up on stage, playing and singing. She has the sweetest voice I’ve heard in a long time. It’s reminiscent of Lisa Mitchell and Gossling , but something about the way she holds the notes – and the clarity – sets Ali apart.
This little smile keeps appearing on her face and I’m finding myself smiling back. I just turned to Liv and whispered, “I want to be her.” And okay, that might be a little bit weird but whatever.
There’s a real sincerity to Ali’s lyrics and overall presence. She seems incredibly down to earth. I like the fact that so far, she has introduced every single song (and has pointed out that it’s something she does). There are more people now – maybe another ten, but we’re all respectfully quiet for Ali. “Thank you for listening,” she’s saying. “It’s weird that everyone’s listening. The last gig I had at The Toff I had to tell everyone to shut the fuck up.”
Like most people in the room, I’m laughing. She’s just so cute - as is this cover of One Man Guy , by Rufus Wainwright . I do love it when women cover songs by the opposite sex. I’ve never actually heard this song before but I’m enjoying it, just as much as Ali looks like she’s enjoying performing it. That little smile is back on her face.
Now that her set it over, it’s time to grab a drink. Thankfully they’ve restocked the cider since I was here last.
I have no idea who the next support band is. Hmm. Dirt Farmer . Yep, did just read their bio on Unearthed . They sound pretty cool, despite the use of the word “swagger” in the description. And now that they’re on stage, I have a fairly good idea of what they might sound like.
…And yeah, they’ve got swag.
It’s getting noisy in this little room. Liv’s being hit on but I’m too distracted by the band to feel jealous. It’s heating up in here, in more ways than one.
Dirt Farmer have just begun and I’m dancing already. The tambourine player is as well. These harmonies are wicked. I’m waiting, waiting, waiting for the bass and drums to kick in. There we go. My eyes are closed and I’m swaying in time with the music. As usual, I’m dying to push through to the front and dance. Everyone seems to be in their own little world – enchanted by these talented young lads.
One of the guys on stage is filling in for this evening but I completely missed who it was. I’m pretty sure it was the bass player, because the lead singer just looked at him and said, “He’s shredding.” The aforemetioned bass player has an incredibly deep voice; almost surprisingly so. He just wished us all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, “if I don’t see you before then.”
It’s almost unbearably hot in here now. I’m trying to ignore the heat and just focus on the music. It’s really upbeat – you know – fun, easy to dance to, fairly typical of the current trend, but still super good. They remind me a little of Hungry Kids of Hungary . There’s that same kind of vibe and I’m impressed by the talent all five members possess. I don’t know it now (obviously), but later, a guy named Greg will tell me that the guys from Dirt Farmer are “fuckin legends.”
The bass player, who I’m fairly sure is the honorary member for tonight, is counting them in for the last song. “This is our last one…two, three, four.” Clever.
It’s back to the bar for cider number two, which is sure to go down an absolute treat now that the room temperature has been raised by at least fifteen degrees. I’m attempting to have a conversation with the bartender and despite the noise levels in here, we’re making slight progress. I just asked him about Falls – if he’s sad he missed out. He’s nodding, and is continuing to as I ask, “Is that why no one’s working?” We’re laughing and I keep laughing as I begin to walk away, back into the tightly packed crowd. It’s 10.55 and they’ve finally turned on the airconditioners.
I’m chatting with Chris, who I thought was the fill-in for Dirt Farmer, but who it turns out is an actual full-time member. It makes sense, considering he knew all the lyrics and was singing the harmonies. I feel a bit silly, but oh well. Blame it on the cider (I’m a lightweight, what of it).
Tom Calder of The Trouble With Templeton is on stage now, guitar in hand, fringe strategically flicked back out of his eyes. He’s playing ‘ 1832 ‘ and as always, I’m blown away by his incredibly powerful, distinct-sounding vocals. He has such control – not just vocally, but in the way he can silence a crowd.
The whole band are on stage now and all I’m thinking is, “They are SO talented.” Well, that’s not all I’m thinking. I’m thinking that it’s definitely time for cider number three. With that out of the way, I can concentrate more on the band. Tom’s ranting and raving about his out of tune guitar – he’s swearing lots but isn’t sure why he’s “talking like that.” Either way, I’m amused – as are the rest of the crowd. I can hear laughter floating around the room and it’s nice to have the mood lightened a little (as the music can be quite intense).
They’re playing ‘ Bleeders ‘ and I’m shaking my head in disbelief at just how great it is. Their sound is polished, but not to the extent of it coming across as over-rehearsed or insincere. The stage banter going on is great, too. Moments ago, Tom exchanged a bit of dialogue with an audience member. “We’re here to play some rock and roll.” There was a quiet “Yay,” and then some not so quiet laughter. “Yeah, I took a second before I said that. We’re here to play some melodic folk. We hope you like it.”
And we do – we really do.
Especially now that they’re playing the latest single, ‘ Six Months In A Cast .’ It looks as though everyone is dancing now and the three guys right up the front in matching maroon t-shirts are absolutely losing their shit (in the best possible way).
It’s clear the show is almost over (mostly because of the time – it’s almost midnight). The cheering is getting louder and louder as the band launch into what could possibly be the last song. It’s brand new and Tom seem unsure as to why we’re all clapping and carrying on, considering we’ve never heard it before.
There’s humming and a three part harmony and beautiful, brilliant lyrics. I cannot wait for their second album to come out, especially after hearing this newie.
My feet and knees are positively aching but I am so, so impressed. They’re thanking us all for coming along to the show and Tom’s saying that this is their last song for the evening.
It seems fitting that I’ve finished my drink because now it’s all over. There is an electricity in the air still and everyone is buzzing. This is my last gig for the year and I am so happy that it was here at The Workers Club; so happy that it was The Trouble With Templeton.
REVIEW BY GRACE GOODFELLOW
WORDS BY Grace Goodfellow
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