AAA Backstage Archive

Live Review: Morning Harvey EP Launch @ Coniston Lane Brisbane

Morning Harvey opened the set with a tremendous bang, unleashing the overwhelming soundscape upon us like a ton of bricks that would pound our eardrums for the next hour.

And just for the record, the phrase ‘pounding our eardrums’ does not sound ideal, but the fact is, at a Morning Harvey show, you cannot get enough of the sonic sound- it is essential to be in the midst of it and embrace the atmosphere, because you will find it not only satisfying but grounding. The visuals projected behind the band complemented the set to an extent, however at times I felt they were irrelevant and often lacking a connection to a song. This said, they did not detract from the band, if anything, the visuals made them appear grander. 

Because I become The Observer at gigs, I notice a lot of people don’t know quite how to approach a stoner rock concert in regards to dancing. At a Morning Harvey gig, I am not interested in dancing, I prefer to merely stand and absorb the music like a sponge. Sometimes I will even nod my head. It is the most preferable way to let the sound wash over you in a most satisfying, overwhelming manner. 

An aspect to be taken note of is the smooth transitions between each song. Even though the audience will applaud, the wall of sound does not stop for a moment- Morning Harvey have obviously taken care into crafting a well-designed set which will ensure a captivated audience throughout the duration. What I’m saying is, one does not become bored at a concert like this. 

Pictures: Morning Harvey, Major Leagues, Naked Maja @ Coniston Lane Brisbane

Morning Harvey Photo: Aimee Catt

Front man, Spencer White, shed his guitar for the majority of the set, brandishing a pair of orange maracas. You can really see him developing his stage presence and engaging with his audience, a hand on his hip while he leans forward to sing. He performed with a charismatic grace and appeared to be very comfortable without his guitar. This is a brilliant thing because many a front-man in the stoner rock/pop genre will often hide behind their guitar, or, can I say, hair.

The new songs played showed a sense of maturity not only in structure, but in the subtlety of a genre change, breaking out of the often-confining elements of stoner rock. I noticed this when they used a slide in a new song, slightly reminiscent of a country-twang style Beck. White’s vocals, especially in the new material, were prominently stronger, which was pleasing to hear. I felt these songs needed more applause from the audience, because they showcases the brilliant direction this clever band is taking.

Each song by Morning Harvey carries an enormous amount of weight, tension. The songs are written and sung to be physically released of some frustration, some build up, so when I witnessed guitarist Jimmy Griffin unmercifully bashing chords out on his guitar with such fever that he became an impressive mass of hair and shredding, I understood perfectly.

Morning Harvey, on no account, sounds like your average Brisbane band who are stumblingly launching a debut EP for the first time. Each song written is a masterpiece in its effective rhythm and catchy hooks. They are powerful in their music and quietly confident in the direction they are heading, which could lead to something of the likes of The Brian Jones Town repertoire. 

Gabriella Cowan - AAA Backstage