live music review: parades, northcote social club, 15 april 2011

Northcote Social Club is like a second home to me. They always have excellent gigs, including residencies (Alpine, Bedroom Philosopher) so it made a great escape out of the rain on a Friday night, and evolved into a warm, shadowy cave when Parades hit the stage. Out of NSW, they are at the end of their Water Stories tour, with rave reviews.

Kins started off the night, kicking into their sweet indie sound, and groovy vocals. Followed by Brisbane’s Little Scout, who have accompanied Parades throughout their whole tour, they were a welcome surprise. They are much more powerful, and infectious when live, and definitely got more than a few pretentious hipsters tapping their feet (I certainly hope so anyway. Seriously Melbourne, I love you, but you really bring me down sometimes).

Now, first, a little bit about Parades. They are from Sydney. And they’re awesome. Unfortunately, not a lot of people know how awesome they are, but they should. Nonetheless, one name should ring a bell. Jonathan Boulet, anyone? Yeah that guy. He’s the drummer for Parades and has quite an excellent solo career. But hopefully after this tour, they’ll get the airtime they deserve, with their unmistakable sound.

‘Water Stories’, the new single and tour namesake started everything off, and quite literally, filled the room. And I do mean literally: no matter what corner you stood in, you could hear those Boulet drums, the band, the smash and the rhythm. The bass, the synth…there was no concept of ‘easing in’ with these guys. Tim, the vocalist was beyond incredible, absolutely killing those highs and lows, not missing a beat.

You can tell that this tour has done them well. They have definitely perfected and refined their technique, especially noticeable when they played tracks from their debut album ‘Foreign Tapes’. All in all, a powerful show, and definitely a night well spent.

(Photography credit: Zahra Khamissa)