After long or short trips to and from (and perhaps at) Austin Psych Fest, many of the attendees and bands have found themselves safely, and maybe a bit post-festival sickly, at home and in bed. For some, however, the festival was just a stop on a long and seemingly endless road. Such is the case for the Australian quartet, The Laurels, who (after playing a stellar set at Psych Fest on April 28) have continued their tour and landed in Seattle’s Sunset Tavern.
The Laurels opened with “Black Cathedral,” perhaps their most recognizable track and from there on out the band played an almost theatrical set, with each member playing their own part, enacting their own very distinct personalities that was enfolded to create an experience worthy of the stage. The Mona Lisa drummer, Kate Wilson, played with precision and apparent calculations, seeming to act as a grounded force driving the band forward. Part-time lead guitarist, part-time vocalist Luke O’Farrell was just wild. He trashed around the stage, hiding his face behind his artfully aghast, demonstrating delicacy only when he put the whammy bar into action.
On the other side of the stage stood Piers Cornelius, fellow part-time lead guitarist, part-time vocalist who contributed perhaps the most nonchalant episodes of screaming I’ve ever seen or heard. He stood in an oversized sweater, casual jeans and “trainers” and, far from screaming “rock star” brought an unbridled enthusiasm to the stage. Bassist Conor Hannan, smack center of the group, was almost put upon a musical pedestal. He was unassuming and solid, never taking too much attention but receiving plenty nonetheless. Individually, they were all a treat to watch and listen to; together, it was even better.
Wooden Indian Buriel Ground opened for the Laurels and killed it. The Portland band blended hard beats with psychedelic licks to create a diverse set of well-produced, well-composed and well-performed songs that made me immediately hound their bandcamp as soon as I got home (do the same).
The only disappointing part of the show, admittedly, was the crowd. Maybe it was that Os Mutantes was playing at The Triple Door just across town, or maybe it was that this odd spell of heat and sun we’ve been having in Seattle has just wiped people out but it was a somewhat poor showing for such a quality bill. The people that were there were obviously fans and genuinely there for the music (as opposed to simply something to do), which is always refreshing, but it would have been nice to give the Laurels a bigger, if not warmer, reception for their visit Seattle visit. Come again, guys, and we’ll make sure to get it right
