Roarhouse Review @ 303 Bar Northcote, Thursday 12th March

Featuring :
M/C Anthony Dynon
Gary Ryerson
Em Connors
Dean Lombard
Tony Dowling
Thomas Richardson
Jona Byron
Donna and the Aspinauts

Well, well, well, my first experience of a Roarhouse event and I’ve been left with a lasting impression of what live music should ALL be about and a bagful of enthusiastic promises to get involved in every way possible.

M/C Anthony Dynon opened the night theatrically and humbly, showing that such a pair of adjectives can indeed be twinned. He introduced the first act, Gary Ryerson, a Footscray poet who shared years of life-experience with ideas floating out like advertising strips on the tail of planes; impossible not to picture. He really was very funny. Not a clown, just light-hearted about serious things. And sincere. A true story-teller.

Em Connors followed, with the sweetest voice imaginable। Her voice reminded me of warm, earthy resin and the timid, innocent plight of an American country girl। I’m certain everyone in the room was plunged into wistful reminiscences of lost love and good times. Someone needs to find her a band and a record contract, fast. http://www.myspace.com/emconnors

Dean Lombard was next up with a very English take on life as, well, him. He sang wryly about relationships in a way that left you thinking, You know what? He’s got a point there. Never saw it like that before, but yeah… His guitar was coarse and bold, pelted out in a The Smiths meets Elvis Costello kind of way.

Who’d of thought you could have four consecutive acoustic singer-songwriters up and not begin to fidget and plan tomorrow’s sandwhich fillers? Well, this is the gift that Roarhouse brings. Artists come from such random walks of life that no two acts could ever possibly be the same. Tony Dowling, the third acoustic performer, proved just this. He sang his heart’s tales, that much was clear, and had a voice remarkably akin to James Taylor’s. Now that’s no mean feat. And for me, it was like receiving a shot of serotonin that left me satiated and smiling.

Thomas Richardson then rocked up fully clad in a huge and colourful south-American poncho। He poured out poem after poem, with no separation even for a title between. It was up to us to keep up. His ideas escaped his lips as a smattering of tumbling words and cascading lines, quietly enigmatic, you had to pay attention, just had to. A very talented guy. I was hooked.

Jona Byron demanded the audience kept up its attention by bombarding us with highly demanding, hugely intense singing and stomping. His melodies were catchy, his riffs were great, he built his songs into a splendourous plateau half way through the song then kept us there unashamedly for several further minutes. The break that followed was a well deserved rest. Check him out on http://www.myspace.com/jonabyron

And lastly

Donna and the Aspinauts. What a funny bunch. The lady is a true entertainer. She told amusing tales of life on the edge of society and made me envious I didn’t join her there. Real life? Social norms and expectations? Pah! Look what fun I’m having! She expressed herself more with flailing arms and facial expressions than her voice, and began each song with a poem quickly captured by interesting and mischievous music. Tongue-in-cheek? Perhaps not. It cannot be genre-defined. I sincerely hope the lady is available for childrens parties. http://www.myspace.com/donnaandtheaspinauts

Roarhouse? Should be known as Rawhouse। If you like your arts sugar-coated and the same, same, same, stay well away. Jo Robinson.