Note to Self: Real Talent Lives On
Photo by IG: notso_lil_kim
In an age where music-streaming apps such as Spotify and Apple Music, reign supreme, and artists have to consistently tour to make any money off this rap thing, milestones and anniversaries are to be celebrated.
This year, Aussie hip hop veterans Horrorshow celebrated 10 years of their debut album, The Grey Space, an album that was written during their high school years. To celebrate they announced a 16-date national tour, which had mostly sold out in the first month of release and is only months after a national tour of their latest album Bardo State at the end of last year.
Each state’s shows were supported by local acts and Perth fans were treated to the sounds of Hyclass and Child’s Play. Both well respected acts within the local scene.
Hyclass’ name has been popping up on nearly every show bill lately with the femcee deciding to channel her energies solely on music and is seemingly reaping the benefits. With support from her brother, and another established local rapper, Strictly DT, the duo got the crowd warmed up with tracks from Hyclass’ 2015 I NEED U EP, as well as some impromptu verses from DT.
The straight bars set was followed by an audio-visual set from Child’s Play. The group included emcee Cruz of Koi Child fame and producer Henry Kissinger. Kissinger provided the beats, Cruz provided the esoteric raps, along with the dulcet tones of a man on a saxophone. The sound of a saxophone just makes everything that more lovely and dreamy. This was all juxtaposed against the distorted and enigmatic projector vision.
This year, Aussie hip hop veterans Horrorshow celebrated 10 years of their debut album, The Grey Space, an album that was written during their high school years. To celebrate they announced a 16-date national tour, which had mostly sold out in the first month of release and is only months after a national tour of their latest album Bardo State at the end of last year.
Each state’s shows were supported by local acts and Perth fans were treated to the sounds of Hyclass and Child’s Play. Both well respected acts within the local scene.
Hyclass’ name has been popping up on nearly every show bill lately with the femcee deciding to channel her energies solely on music and is seemingly reaping the benefits. With support from her brother, and another established local rapper, Strictly DT, the duo got the crowd warmed up with tracks from Hyclass’ 2015 I NEED U EP, as well as some impromptu verses from DT.
The straight bars set was followed by an audio-visual set from Child’s Play. The group included emcee Cruz of Koi Child fame and producer Henry Kissinger. Kissinger provided the beats, Cruz provided the esoteric raps, along with the dulcet tones of a man on a saxophone. The sound of a saxophone just makes everything that more lovely and dreamy. This was all juxtaposed against the distorted and enigmatic projector vision.
Photo by IG: notso_lil_kim
Having seen Horrorshow in November with a full live band set up, this time the boys stripped it back and stuck to the classic hip hop format, an emcee and a DJ. The duo stepping out to a full Mojo’s crowd, the first of their three shows (the other two being completely sold out) in Western Australia.
Keeping it simple, the hour long set ran through the track listing of the iconic album. I would say that the bigger hits and well-known tracks were well received by the crowd, but all tracks were well received the crowd, with punters reciting word-for-word the lyrics.
The more energetic songs, Choose None and All Summer Long, would lift the crowd’s spirit and have everyone dancing. And the deeper, introspective tracks, Waiting for the 5.04 and Days Past, had the venue solemn and entranced. There was even the soulful a capella rendition of Dire Straits. One very zealous fan even got on stage mid set and had to be asked to stand down, Solo asked so with all class.
After coming full circle and finishing off with Note to Self and a rendition of possibly my most favourite bridge in a song ever, Horrorshow came back for an encore and performed some more recent songs, closing with their huge hit Cherry Blossom.
To be able to have a mostly sold out Australian tour on an album you released 10 years ago is a testament to the talent of Solo and Adit, and the quality of their catalogue of albums. And whilst it seems we are in an era of one hit wonders and hip pop trends, love and appreciation of real music and real talent still lives on... thank fuck...
Keeping it simple, the hour long set ran through the track listing of the iconic album. I would say that the bigger hits and well-known tracks were well received by the crowd, but all tracks were well received the crowd, with punters reciting word-for-word the lyrics.
The more energetic songs, Choose None and All Summer Long, would lift the crowd’s spirit and have everyone dancing. And the deeper, introspective tracks, Waiting for the 5.04 and Days Past, had the venue solemn and entranced. There was even the soulful a capella rendition of Dire Straits. One very zealous fan even got on stage mid set and had to be asked to stand down, Solo asked so with all class.
After coming full circle and finishing off with Note to Self and a rendition of possibly my most favourite bridge in a song ever, Horrorshow came back for an encore and performed some more recent songs, closing with their huge hit Cherry Blossom.
To be able to have a mostly sold out Australian tour on an album you released 10 years ago is a testament to the talent of Solo and Adit, and the quality of their catalogue of albums. And whilst it seems we are in an era of one hit wonders and hip pop trends, love and appreciation of real music and real talent still lives on... thank fuck...