Gig Review - Texas Tea (17/08/12)

TEXAS TEA (17/08/12)

Heart Say Yes (Head Says No) Cassingle Launch

Live at the Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane.

After spending the last couple of weeks loving Texas Tea's new single 'Heart Says Yes (Head Says No),' there was no way I was going to miss out on an opportunity to see it performed live. So on Friday, Jo and I headed into the Valley to our favourite little music venue, the Black Bear Lodge, for a night of Sailor Jerry's and awesome music provided by Kate Jacobson, Benjamin Dougherty and their band. No, Texas Tea did not provide the Sailor Jerry's. The awesome music was enough. 

As the band begun to play, punters slowly made their way to the stage, filling the room quite nicely. Everyone managed to wisely dodge the table of hipster-hanger-ons; party girls and boys oblivious to the quality music surrounding their constant need to take MySpace photos. It wasn't long until you heard the cry, "let's go to KALIBERRRR!" and they were off. No, please, stay. Seeing you squeeze lemon into your eyes after tequila shots was just sooooo cool. Sarcasm off, back to the band which I could now really start enjoying. 

As they previewed several songs from their third album, Sad Summer Hits the band had the crowd bopping along to the infectious country, rock and soul tunes. Going from the combo of Jacobson and Dougherty to a fuller band with drums (Timothy Carroll's current/former, very talented drummer?) and double bass (I shall call you Freddie Mercury) seems to be a recent development, but you couldn't tell on the night. It was a very tight, crisp set with Jacobson and Dougherty's voices continually shining throughout each number. 

Saving the best for last, Texas Tea roared into 'I Don't Write No Sad Songs' and this week's #1 song on our Top 20 'Heart Says Yes (Head Says No).' Dougherty takes the lead on the cooler than cool 'I Don't Write No Sad Songs.' It's all blues and rock and was easily Dougherty's standout performance of the night. The same could be said of Jacobson on 'Heart Says Yes (Head Says No).' I believe infectious is the right word to describe the song. It makes you want to get up and start doing one of those 60s fad dances and you won't even care that you're in a room full of hipsters and doing the Twist. Or the Monkey. Or the Madison. Definitely not the Madison. If you heard the band perform the song live, you'd make it #1 on your Top 20 too.

After the show, Jo picked up the 'I Don't Write No Sad Songs' vinyl flexi-disc and a Texas Tea record... possibly ripping the band off $5. I'm not too sure. She swears it was a good deal. All in all, the night was an excellent live introduction to the very talented Texas Tea. I'm looking forward to seeing them again. The sooner the better.