In recent memory there hasn’t been an Australian band as hyped as DMA’s. A band receiving so much attention before they’ve even played a show or released a track has been nothing short of unprecedented.
Signed to the hottest indie label in the country; I Oh You, and seemingly out of nowhere, the three-piece have quickly gained a cult like following and divided opinion at the same time. Their 90s feel and obvious Oasis and Pixies influences are part of what makes them so endearing and instantly familiar to listen to, they also have a lot to prove being on the I Oh You roster alongside names such as DZ Deathrays and Violent Soho.
The small band room at Shebeen, a sold out one at that, was the venue for the evening. The proving ground if you will. By the time supports White a Summer and Lurch & Chief had concluded their sets the band room was packed, with punters jostling for position with equal parts excitement and nervous trepidation.
Quite unceremoniously the three-piece sauntered onstage alongside three touring members and launched into the opening song from their debut self-titled EP; ‘Feels Like 37’. The band as is their penchant were dressed like they’d raided their Dad’s wardrobe, a Dad who hadn’t bought any new clothes since at least the early nineties. We’re talking oversized polos and Ralph Lauren and Lacoste hats so old they look like they’d been found on the side of the road. In the world of music, there’s a lot of acts who go to a lot of effort to look like they’ve gone to none. In the case of DMA’s it’s hard to know which to file them under.
Putting their rather strange stage getup on the back burner, the first song sounded clean and like a slightly heightened version of its recorded self. Best of all it garnered an enthusiastic reaction from the audience. The Newtown natives announced somewhat nervously that this was their very first show outside of New South Wales. The fact that they have sold out a string of dates around the country just emphasises what a seemingly overnight sensation they appear to have been.
In a very short set of around eight songs the band played all five tracks of their EP as you would expect and added another three. The new songs fitted alongside the currently released tracks perfectly. That being said, of course the songs the crowd knew was where the band found the best reception. In between songs like ‘The Plan’ and ‘Play It Out’ from the EP, the band spoke here and here but only briefly. There was just as many requests to the sound desk for more fold back, less drums etc as there was thank you’s to the audience.
What at first seemed like a real ambivalence to those in attendance quickly appeared to be a genuine and rather understandable nervousness. It has to be noted, these guys have only played a handful of live shows with each other. The best part was that musically the band couldn’t be faltered. They were tight, the vocals were on point and the crowd joined in on the parts they’d committed to memory.
The penultimate tune of the evening was the lead and hit single ‘Delete’. It was met with a rousing roar from the crowd and the sing-along it created appeared to blow the band members away somewhat. Watching the song played live was truly special as it’s a type of song rarely heard in Australian music. The band knows how to recreate this special vibe live too.
The band had a lot to prove at this show, first interstate and a sold out room of people who were ready to become longtime fans if the band could just play a good show. The set was a little too short and the band were nervous, however it didn’t affect the music or detract from an impressive live Victorian debut. A platform from which, it seems clear the band will use to become legitimately impressive live performers with a few more shows under their belts.
