Snowman

I would have to say for once I was walking into a gig with expectations. Its not my usual reviewing style, but as a fan of both bands – I expected them to deliver. And I was in no way disappointed.

Red Rival are amazing.

These three guys from Tasmania are new and fresh, with less than a year behind them as a band, their rawness has such a considerable polished edge – the boy's music and stage presence command attention and so far people are sitting up and taking notice.

They have supported Dallas Crane and the Pharaohs and had a few record labels checking them out. They are also Triple J Unearthed Winners and have been getting a significant amount of airplay both nationally (Hobart, Melbourne and on Triple J) and internationally, (Chicago).

I saw them kick off things at Southern Roots in early April 2007 and they did themselves proud. Having the 10am time slot was hard – the crowd was small but it just proves that those that were there were enthusiastic enough to yank themselves out of bed at a crazy hour (like me) on a Saturday morn.

The boy on the drums turned out to be a hairdresser at my local salon in Hobart. I could do some name dropping here but my salon doesn't need any promoting... they are all talented cutters, colourists and stylists... perhaps I want to keep it a secret so I don't need to wait a year to get my pixie do “cropped”!

It proves the smallness of Hobart – the wonderful community of Tasmania – next time you interact with someone make sure you know who they are... just in case they are a writer about to put some words to screen or paper!

I can't report on Bat Rider... the in between band. By all reports they were good but I needed to dash home and check on kids and do other Mum stuff. It was a Wednesday night – small boy to get to school and baby girl to ensure is tucked in well.

My timing was off though. I managed to park the car and run into the Republic just as Snowman were finishing off my absolute favourite track of theirs – 'Smoke and Mirrors' – the opening track for the gig - I felt like crying because the last 30 seconds were pure magic.

Snowman are captivating – their live performance is stage theatre at its finest - they throw themselves into it for their art – the energy in the air was electric... and I have never seen a band sweat so much!

In person they are humble and kind – not at all blinded by the stars that they are – receiving equal amounts of WAMI's with the commercially successful Eskimo Joe recently.

When I introduced myself to a number of the band members on a quest to thank the lovely interview subject for his time earlier in the year with The Dwarf and A Fine Line their bassist Olga Hermanniusson, who stands like a beautiful rose amongst a bunch of sweaty hairy boys (check out the fantastic photos captured by the Dwarf photographer!) asked me “What did I think?”

I thought it was amazing, fantastic and I didn't want them to end... but being the sometimes starstruck girl that I am probably managed to convey that feeling with less journalistic flair in person!

Get out there and check out Red Rival... coming to a local gig near you and well Snowman, I hope they are back soon – there will be no mad dashes home in the future unless I manage a peak at a set list in advance!

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