REVIEW: Tim Beals

TIM BEALS
HAPPY BAR
THURSDAY 23 AUGUST
Words and Photo's by Charlette Hannah



Tim Beals and his younger sister Holly kicked off the evening at the Johnny Corker album release at Happy on Thursday. Tim’s sweet and whimsical guitar was lovely, and the songs were instantly accessible.

I thought he sounded a lot like Iron and Wine, and then they did a cover of one of my favourite Iron and Wine songs - Naked As We Come, and did it justice too. They also did a Nick Drake cover, From The Morning, very well.

I know this may sound strange, but Tim and Holly’s vocals melded together so well that it was almost hard to tell the difference, even though it was male and female voices, obviously. The harmonies were close and well done.

Tim’s song Far From Home was bluesy and catchy, and one of my favourites of the evening. He managed to get one of the best tones out of an acoustic guitar I’ve heard for a while.

REVIEW: Hannah Curwood

HANNAH CURWOOD and EMMA BONIFACE
HAPPY BAR
SATURDAY 5 MAY
By Charlette Hannah

Happy Bar is a relatively new discovery for me. A good one! I used to live just over the road from Happy in Vivian St, yet it wasn’t until a couple of months ago that I ventured into the depths of the most positive bar around. Ok, lame jokes that aren’t even slightly funny aside, I think its great that people go there and actively listen to the music, rather than it being background to drinking.

Emma Boniface opened for Hannah, playing rocky acoustic songs. She has an interesting vocal delivery, with a great range and pleasant voice. She introduced my favourite of her set as her ‘cheesy’ song – Hello Stranger. I actually thought it was a really unique and well written song, and not at all cheesy. However, some of her songs lost me a little.

Hannah then took the stage with guitarist Tom, who proceeded to play the most amazing guitar, despite what appeared to be a strong visual impediment (namely, hair). He was in total control of the instrument, and complemented Hannah’s acoustic playing brilliantly.

Hannah herself has a lovely voice, with a full dynamic range, from very soft, to powerfully loud. Not many singers have the guts to sing softly, it seems to all be about how loud you can be sometimes. Her songs were also dynamic, interesting and finely crafted. Her banter between songs was measured just right, and really added to the performance as a whole. Full of emotion, some were upbeat and some a little sadder, with an appropriately autumnal feel to them. (Have you ever noticed the regularity with which the song playing in the background at any given time perfectly suits your mood and situation no matter where you are?)

The other thing that was great about the gig? Emma started just after 8pm! That’s probably what decided me in favour of going to Happy as opposed to any of the other options on Saturday night. Come on Wellington, let’s start playing music a bit earlier! Maybe everyone else is charged on energy drinks and party pills, and other assorted substances, but some people just want to dance or enjoy some music without having to try and stay awake. Starting gigs at 10 or 11 is so not cool in my books. Bring on the musical revolution that has nothing to do with the actual music, I say. Does anyone agree with me? Or do I just need to toughen up? (Toughening up in my world basically means more naps.)

http://www.myspace.com/hannahcurwood
http://www.myspace.com/emjayboniface

REVIEW: Jonathan McArthur

THURSDAY 5 APRIL
HAPPY BAR
JONATHAN MCARTHUR ‘DUNEDIN OUTCASTS’

By Hans Weston

Walking down the stairs to the basement Happy Bar, I could hear
someone playing guitar and singing but no chattering or people sounds.
I thought we might be the first to arrive at this evening of acoustic
balladry. After paying the polite $5, I could see there were a good
number of quiet patrons sitting at candle-lit tables paying guitarist
Brad Taylor every bit of attention. You could've heard a pin drop in
between chords. In fact, a pin was heard to drop. The bar-maid mutely
handed me a drinks list and I half whispered "speights old dark"
managing to catch the last three songs of Brad Taylor's set. Brad has a
really great voice, and I enjoyed his folk style covers and originals
which were perfect in this setting.

It was then Jonathan McArthur's turn to take the stage with an eight
song set of originals. Jonathan's songs are of a very high standard
with melodies and hooks that grow on you after only a few listenings.
However, the songs "Once" and "Risk" which I hadn't heard before were
immediately captivating. It's hard not to liken Jonathan's approach to
the likes of Thom Yorke with his measured and melodic voice, but yet
there is a strong streak of originality and individuality shining
through all of his material. The highlight of his set was "Building
Boats in the Basement", a song which conjures up a yearning for the
peacefulness obtained from a Sunday afternoon hobby that is all yours
and is locked away from all distractions....or perhaps that's just my
sentimentality. Jonathan effortlessly deploys a number of unusual
chords, arrangements and practiced finger work into his songs, which
to this wanna-be guitarist were great to hear and see. I'll look
forward to his next live performance.

Unfortunately, I couldn't stay to hear Emma Boniface, but as she began
the crowd were just as attentive as they had been for the previous two
musicians. It was a delight to be somewhere where people actually
listen to the music, rather than swilling beer and mindlessly
heckling. (Which can be fun too.)

http://www.myspace.com/sleepydemons -Jonathan McArthur
http://www.myspace.com/emjayboniface -Emma Boniface
http://www.myspace.com/redwoodnz - Brad Taylor