A balmy Brisbane evening (29 October) provided the perfect backdrop for two delightfully indie groups – Woodshed and TOBiAS – to launch their respective new albums at It's Still A Secret.
The moody boudoir-esque style of velvet curtains and couches provided the perfect backdrop for what would be an incredible night of live music.TOBiAS opened the night with their deep bass and heavy vocals set to the delight of the crowd. Playing their new album 'Behind The Valley' was a delight on the audible senses with its Pete Murray-esque sound from the wonderful opening track 'Howling At The Moon'.
The band are collectively the sort of music you'd throw on at a Sunday afternoon picnic, a chilled ode to other artists like Paul Kelly. The influence from other musicians is heavy in their eclectic sound.
'Raise Your Glass' was another crowd favourite with its easy melody and apt name with most patrons nursing their favourite beverage after a long work week.
Next up were Woodshed. I got the chance to have a quick chat with the band prior to their show and hearing about how they turned COVID into a chance to pump out some music in-between jam sessions and their jobs as teachers.
"Russ writes all the lyrics, but we find that when we come together there's a really nice collective that goes on and creates some great music," drummer Greeny says.
When asked where inspiration comes from, Greeny explains that it was his father that inspired his musical choices. "Growing up for me it was listening to Dad's music. He really loved Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, Tom T. Hall. All the old American traditional country.
"I rejected it for quite awhile but then I started to really get into it. . . I added in a bit of a rockabilly beat to it, a cheeky snare, nothing too fancy. To me it's all about the groove," he says.
With their latest addition to the band Tim joining the group recently, I ask how that's developed and affected their sound as a group.
"It was great because Tim joined the group and brought a new feel to the sound. For example, you can be jamming with this mundane bassline and he comes in and adds an almost new dimension. So now when Russ brings in a song, we all sit together and think 'hey! We could do this to it,'" Greeny explains.
I go on to ask them how they got inspired to start writing music together. "It was actually COVID that helped us get into the studio to start writing and playing," Russ explains.
"It was a really great outlet for us with work and stress of life, this felt like a nice outlet for all of us blokes to get together and jam."
Woodshed entered the stage to the delight of fellow patrons, friends and family all here to sample the new record 'Give In'.
Opening with smooth bass, the lead singer of the Brisbane-based, three-piece group Russ elevates the sound into a funk wonderland with a touch of hillbilly added for good measure.
The crowd were loving the drumming from Greeny, which really benefited from the intimate size of the venue.
'Louisa' was another great song performed with its almost ode to Jolene, a story about a woman who won't leave her man.
Finally ending the evening, it was time to amp up the funk with 'Hold On', which made everyone jump up on their feet. Its lyrics felt very early Angels if the Angels grew up in South Brisbane.
Overall, TOBiAS and Woodshed put on an absolute cracker of an evening with the fun mix of groovy beats, spine-tingling electric guitar and heavy bass, these two bands will no doubt see their popularity rise with their infectious and often rambunctious style.
