To the displeasure and defiance of Juban TV, underrated indie band Ginger Root proceeded forward with their Shinbangumi tour arriving at Brisbane's The Princess Theatre on Friday (21 March).
The night provided charismatic, weird, energetic excitement, as well as anime intros and cat melodicas, rockstar Japanese schoolgirls and rotary phones. Reports say Ginger Root had it all! Stay tuned for 'Weather' at noon.The support act KESMAR were beautiful. A two-piece, Kesmar and Julian had fantastic harmony and switched between lead vocals eloquently. Great songwriting and catchy songs.
Later, after an opening video from the disgruntled CEO of fictional Juban TV, Ginger Root, aka singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Cameron Lew, entered the stage accompanied by a live video cameraman. He swayed, almost danced, zooming (in camera and with his legs) between the band members.
The camera feed would be projected on-screen behind the band. Close ups of keyboard keys and guitar necks, audience reactions and locked in drumming faces. >:0
Image © Kalem Horn
To Ginger Root, music videos are a big deal. 'Shinbangumi' is actually a music video album. In addition to the live-camera feed, the night showcased the GCU (Ginger-Root Cinematic Universe). The band played, their performance synchronised to the videos.
Japanese schoolgirls with metal guitars filled the screen. Performing 'There Was A Time', the girls appeared like heroes one by one, front and centre, on-screen, the band strumming their instruments with technicolor video delay trails, while the actual music came from the band themselves.
After a brain-melting funky bassline, there was a brief intermission between songs; keyboards then begun, and those who knew cheered, as the intro to 'Evangelion' played. "I like anime, do you like anime," sung Cameron. This show made me laugh multiple times, by planned jokes or just the inherent humour and style.
Image © Kalem Horn
Silly but talented, under all the thematics, the craftsmanship and thought was undeniable. Incredible touring members, bassist Dylan Hovis and drummer Matt Carney added an extra, spicy personality to the night. Dylan may as well have been a pair of cargo shorts with all the pockets he was in; and Dylan I really like your pizzazz, hat and funny little jokes; keep it up!
Cameraman David I see you. Wearing the cleaner's outfit from the 'Shinbangumi' album, he had some kick-arse (sorry for swearing), killer camera rolls and tracking on them keyboard fingers.
Song design was made with replicable beats, melodies and textures with effective studio sounding live reproduction. The effort to bring metal cowbells on tour just to keep the texture and energy of 'Karaoke' was fantastic. Each element had been crafted with thought; just listening and watching one at a time, like the bassline in 'No Problems' or drum heartbeat of 'Giddy Up', was a delight.
Then it was time for the 'Weather'. The final song of the act. David points his live camera to the crowd. We shouted (and I mean SHOUTED!) the chorus. Bopping to the bassline and twinkling keys, we saw the night out.
There was no merch! So after the show Ginger Root offered each person 90 seconds of his time at a price of their choice. Any topic of conversation was on the table: Relationship advice, TV recommendations, anything. Yet another curveball to the night. I loved it.
Image © Kalem Horn
It is really hard to be a standout show, the bar these days is set so crazy high. Sometimes it begs the question: is being god-tier at your musical prowess not enough? You could argue Ginger Root is a mixed media project: music, video and performance art.
Ginger Root, aka Cameron Lew, is insistent on doing his own thing. He uses his knowledge from film school, music inspirations, art design and hobbies and interests to craft a unique blend out of left-field. It doesn't quite feel like anything else. Match that with confidence in your craft and 'struth mate, you've got yourself a bloody ripper of a show. It really was fabulous.
With the unique tone and texture of the music, the live camera feed that added so much personality, and eccentric music videos, this really was a memorable gig and a highlight of my year. This was Ginger Root's first tour in Australia. I hope they come back again and again, and again, and again.
More photos from the concert.
