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Gig Review: Soft Tigers + Dave Rennick @ Hopetoun Hotel - 03/07/2007

For the million and one times that Canberra's Soft Tigers have been the support band for a show that I have attended - under the weight of the powers that mock me - I have somehow never managed to see them perform. Even at an Architecture In Helsinki show a few months back where I turned up at the exact right moment to miss dancey-dance megastar Muscles and catch the pop-tastic music of the Tigers I was double-crossed by some hidden clause in the DJ-before-all-bands rule.

So when I heard they were playing a five week (because there are five weeks in July) residency at one of my favourite Sydney venues, the Hopetoun Hotel, I was surely going to get my chance to see them live.

And I surprised myself when I went the very first week.

Dave Rennick of Dappled Cities Fly was the lone support act for the Tuesday night show. He was lovingly supported by a receptive crowd. I couldn't help but feel that his show, which was focused around the fragileness of his voice over a single guitar, would have sounded a whole lot better with an acoustic instrument. The quieter moments, which were occasionally lost in electric guitar fuzz, surely would have felt more honest with a more delicate sound to accompany. Apart from some interesting stripped back takes on familiar Dappled Cities Fly songs the set didn't leave a lasting impression on me.

There is something about the Soft Tigers that intrigues me. I am not sure what it is about them. Their music doesn't instantly appeal to me but there is definitely an honest, undoubtedly Australian feel to their style.

They were passionate about the music they performed and humble to the encouraging audience. They continually swapped instruments, showcasing the wide variety of talent amongst the four band members. Their unique combination of electronic samples, keyboards and more conventional rock utensils seemed natural and effortless.

They have four more shows left as part of their Tuesday night July residency at the Hopetoun and I can't recommend them enough. They are a thoroughly entertaining outfit and, more than anything, create a unique own brand of fun and interesting music. They aren't trying to fall into a set mold in the Australian music scene and that alone is something that should be appreciated.

Eleven thumbs up for a highly entertaining Tuesday night.