In 'An Invincible Summer', musician Thoma Henbest and filmmaker Harrison Sloan Gilbertson, like younger versions of Tom Waits and Jim Jarmusch, collaborate on a work inspired by the philosophical doctrine of existentialism.
The hour-long show began with a song cycle accompanied by a film based upon an Albert Camus quote: “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.”
Existentialism is sometimes confused with nihilism, but as the Camus quote demonstrates, there is an optimism within the existential despair. Artists like Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen, all of whom are influences upon Thoma, are renowned as much for their wit as they are for their woe. Thoma, with his faux gruffness, hissing intonation and accomplished piano playing, is most akin to Tom, but he has not yet infused his work with the wino troubadour’s necessary humour; it was almost all doom, no glitter. Sloan Gilbertson’s stunning cinematography, though, accurately mirrored the sentiment of the music. Like a Sigur Ros concert, sun-drenched or wine-soaked chords were given matching visual representations.
In the second half of the show, Thoma was joined by a band for covers of songs by Nick Cave, Tom Waits and The Talking Heads. His carefree and ebullient personality contrasted markedly with the sombreness of the first half; almost jarringly so. At one point he removed his shirt for no apparent reason, which was more Justin Bieber than Jacques Brel. His idol, Tom Waits, slavishly lives his fictional persona on and off stage, while Leonard Cohen rarely departed from a pre-determined script when on tour. While Thoma’s talent is undeniable and his potential is unlimited, he is still in the process of discovering his authentic voice.
★★★☆☆ 1/2.
