Lisa Miller

I would have thought it was rather a risk for even a well established artist to launch their album at a brand new venue. Let alone on a school night. But for Melbourne’s alt-country darling Lisa Miller, the risk was well calculated. The charming new inner city bar that dared to call itself the Toff in Town was filled to capacity, creating a perfectly intimate and celebratory vibe for the launch of Lisa’s fifth long player.

Following support act Dog Trumpet’s endearing exploration of anti-social tendencies, Lisa took to the stage clad in a vintage 70’s sequined blue full length dress. “This is the drag queen dress” she quipped. The dress may indeed have been way over the top for a regular pub gig, but in the classy Toff it simply felt as if we were being treated to a show. Particularly when she put down the stratocaster, Ms Miller looked every bit the jazz or country diva of yesteryear.

Backed by a bunch of familiar faces from the Melbourne scene, Lisa opened the show with a couple of older tunes before delving into her newest body of work, the delectable Morning in the Bowl of Night. Drummer Peter Jones was joined alternately by Bill McDonald on electric bass and Howard Cairns on upright acoustic bass. The album’s co-producer and guitarist, Shane O’Mara, lent his expertise this evening, also showing off his banjo and mandolin skills for some tunes. His wife and Lisa’s close friend, songstress Rebecca Barnard, joined them onstage to offer harmonies and dance moves on 'She’s a Shining Star' and the album opener 'Upside'.

Additional colour was lent to the arrangements by Garret Costigan on pedal steel and Emily Rosna on harp. The harp was a very pleasant surprise, the first time I’ve seen one incorporated into a band setting and it was extremely successful. Almost piano-like in timbre but with a ligher, more whimsical quality, in songs such as radio favourite 'Such a Find', the harp suited Lisa’s sweet, lyrical tone to a tee.

Personal highlights of the evening were the dark, bluesy soul of 'Red Cross Store', and the thrilling crescendo of the finale – 'I Will Carry You' – which built from a three piece up to the full seven piece band and left her faithful audience cheering for more. Even on a school night. Which proves that for suc a gifter songwriter and performer as Lisa Miller, launching an album at a brand new venue is no risk at all.

Review by Cara Lanyon
Photos by Adam Waring

Share this review on Facebook