Project Description

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THE MURLOCS
+ Folk Bitch Trio
@ Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne
22nd May, 2021
(Live Review)

Reviewer – Brandon Valentine

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The Murlocs

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Upon entering the newly revitalised Brunswick Ballroom (formally The Spotted Mallard) & stood upon the stage was Folk Bitch Trio, an act that described themselves as ‘sad cow girl music’. A fun categorization that put a smile on everyone face but it’s what came next that stopped me in my tracks.

Angelic harmonies that highlighted beautiful moments of humble and earnest storytelling, all dripped atop a bed of melancholic chords that drew you into a blissful repose. There was not a single moment in which the glorious voices of Gracie, Heide & Jeanie faltered, in fact they consistently captured your spirit and transported you to a wistful realm of county haunts and reflection. As a musician, I found them to be inspiring not only in their skill, but most importantly their ability to form a layered and nuanced experience with how they structured their beautiful harmonies. You will be doing yourself a favour by seeing Folk Bitch Trio live and letting yourself be engulfed by their enthralling tones.

The audience’s attention and palates sat cleansed as if renewed via baptism as the Brunswick Ballroom filled out, no sight of an empty chair.

The Murlocs set out with a mission, bringing forth their new album ‘Bitter Sweet Demons’ in it’s entirety. Opening with ‘Francesca’, the lead single from the album, then taking us on a track by track journey through the new works.

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The overall tone of ‘Bitter Sweet Demons’ has a sweeter yet more dramatic edge in comparison to their prior work, one could even say slightly theatrical. This tone intertwines perfectly with the thematic driving force of the album, an exploration of those particular individuals who make their presence felt in a lasting and intense way. This is fully exemplified by the track ‘Francesca’, being a caring and wonderfully excited shout out to front man Ambrose Kenny-Smith’s mother. Calling out in excitement that she has found a new vigour in her life due to new love, Ambrose stating “…she had been lost for love since the separation from my father when I was 10,”. A positively uplifting story but every coin has a flip side and on Bitter Sweet Demons this takes the form of a darker toned, piano heavy track that stands as a dedication to a recently passed friend.

Whilst the new album has a cohesive flow and tone that allows it to be identified within their body of work, all the tones are classically Murloc-ian and are not shy to dive back into the motions that we know and love them for. This was gloriously shown by the energised cut, Skyrocket.

Bolstering The Murlocs talented ranks, Folk Bitch Trio returned to the stage time and time again, to stand side by side with Ambrose. Adding their ever brilliant vocal layering into the sonic mix on tracks like ‘Eating At You’, ‘Blue Eyed Runner’ and ‘Comfort Zone’.

Upon the completion of Bitter Sweet Demons, Ambrose humbly thanked the audience for indulging the band’s want to play the album in full and the launched into a curated collection of older tracks that reached deep into their carriers. Ranging from ‘Rattle The Chain’ to the ever brilliant anthem ‘Rolling On’.

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‘BITTERSWEET DEMONS’ is available for pre-order now HERE.
Out June 25th.

The Murlocs

Tracklist

1. Francesca
2. Dangerous Nature
3. Bittersweet Demons
4. Eating at You
5. Illuminate the Shade
6. No Self Control
7. Skyrocket
8. Skewhiff
9. Limerence
10. Blue Eyed Runner
11. Misinterpreted

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AMNPLIFY – DB

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