Gap Year & Friends at the Bird | 21/08/2019

The Bird was host to an evening of good vibes and toasty tunes this week, making for a perfect way to break up the week and liven up the mood leading into the weekend. Completing the bill was local talent Teen Angst, Siobhan Cotchin and Gap Year.

Teen Angst started us off with their self-described antisocial pop. Their presence on stage created some immediate feel good vibes, with the feeling that the band was four friends having fun on stage. Fueled with banter that was endearingly awkward at times, it really helped to create that connection to the audience that makes small intimate gigs like this feel really nice. The upbeat and catchy guitar riffs layered with vocals that are reminiscent of bands like Sly Withers, Teen Angst managed to create the perfect start to a weekday night gig.

Siobhan Cotchin was next up, filling in for Bass Lemon who unfortunately had to pull out due to sickness. Her poppy country stylings fit right into the vibe that was permeating The Bird. With a full range of songs, going from some slow and sad music into a large collection of higher energy rocking songs, Siobhan and her band put on a very good show especially given the last minute nature of it. Siobhan’s vocals were strong and solid, and contrasted very well with her effect heavy guitar and tight rhythm section provided by her talented bassist and drummer.

Filling out the headline slot for the night were Gap Year with their Australiana alt-pop. Gap Year are doing something that is unique amongst Australian bands at the moment, and that is embracing their Australian rock roots, with music that has very clear influences that evoke the sounds of an Australian childhood. The lap steel played by Jake Chaloner absolutely feeds into this, really filling out the bands sound with that late 80’s Australian rock vibes. Their addition of synths and modern music techniques really serve to bring their music into the modern alt-rock era and create a very unique space in Australian music for their creations.

​Their relatable choice of topics for songs and hilarious and topical mid-set banter really made it feel like everybody in the venue was just having a good time with some mates.

Reviewer - Gerard Kinsella