Sydney has served up one of the hottest days of the year, but welcome relief can be found at Low 302 in more than one way.
Eliza Hull, fresh from guest starring when Emmanuel Kelly opened for Coldplay, is settling in for the evening (8 November) to provide the usually chaotic Oxford Street with some welcome peace and sentimentality.Liz Martin starts the evening off smooth as the bar's whiskey. Her accompanying electric guitarist flows through a raspy country introduction, thick with reverb, the notes winding like wind on a country highway.
Martin strums her black acoustic, her voice floating in like an old friend. The lights sway their own dance, red on Martin, blue on guitarist Dirk, as the song draws to its moody closure. "You're watching history," Martin shares. "This is our first gig as a duo. Dirk is here to work his magic."
The next song is a love ode in Spanish, Martin sultry, as she cries "mi amor" with passion. Martin is a versatile artist, but deep emotion runs in whatever form her lines take. "It's nothing but peace to know you my love," she sings in her most stunning song, a slow movement that enraptures you. It is a moment in time, gone too soon.
Hull enters in a flowered gown, her hair flowing down. "I'm going to have to be a little bit rude for this first song," she smiles, taking her place at the venue's piano, which unfortunately faces towards the wall.
"This song is called 'Don't Look Away'," Hull begins a piece which implores your soul to find its humanity above all else. The piano's backdrop shimmers in blue, as Hull's emotive vocals wind down into your soul
"I heard this song playing at Liz's mum's house," Hull recounts for 'Caught'. "It was amazing to hear it in this grand house, floating out from under the eaves." It is rare to find an artist who, so quickly, takes you into the story with them. Hull gestures wildly, her body melding with the emotion of her vocals. 'How Do I Get Back To You' is simply stunning, as Hull's voice possesses a deep grit that stuns and moves you simultaneously.
Hull's banter compliments Sydney, with a cheeky stab at Melbourne, before a clap along starts for 'Going Soon'. Guitarist Connor Black-Harry jokes about his greasy hands between songs, in a nice moment of levity that prompts Hull to reveal he always charges an extra $100 on his invoice for 'stage banter'.
"This is a love song I wrote with Tim Gordine," Hull shares for 'Stay', a beautiful and well crafted plea. 'Lilac Dreams' follows, an intensely personal tale of being taken advantage of. Pianist Jasmine Johnston shines, playing bass on a Roland with one hand and a breathtaking melody on the high keys with the other.
"I wrote this with Gordi," Hull introduces 'Island', which the pair created over a shared experience of feeling unjustly left out. Hull's experiences somehow feel like your own, a mark of a great writer. 'Who I Am' is about self-expression, and new song 'Daniel' follows.
Hull's trio fills the room with a perfectly balanced sound, moving with a union that foreshadows. Guest Nethra joins for a cover of 'Imagine', which Hull dedicates to the right of all children across the world to feel safe. Nethra's soulful vocals are note perfect, she is one to watch.
'Valentine' showcases some nice group vocals, before Hull cuts the set announcing "would you like us to improvise a song right now?". The enraptured crowd of course agree, and the merciful band follow Hull's lead. They improvise a beautiful song most songwriters could only dream to write with hours of intention, and you're glad you're right here in this bar tonight.
Hull ends the set with the wonderful 'Running Underwater', and you wake from your pleasant reverie.
Hull is one of those special artists that leaves you forever changed. She tears your heart to pieces in the most beautiful way possible – and yet, hope drips from the edge of each note.
