They had huge success in 2011 winning Triple J Unearthed, and were touring globally on top of their wildly popular album Forever So. After a two year break from headline touring, Husky are back on the road with a new single under their belt, and a new soon to be released album on the way. With the pace of the music world and the quick rise of so many talented Aussie acts, do they have the chops to keep up, and do they have the same calibre of talent they used to?
Supporting the Melbourne four-piece on Thursday night were Perth acts Patient Little Sister, and Runner, who both have an endearing and enjoyable sound, and definitely have potential to branch out from the local gig scene and onto national tours. Each were well received by the packed out crowd, but it was clear the hunger for Husky was intense.
Opening with a few of their older numbers, the crowd cheered on renditions of ‘Dark Sea’ and ‘Tidal Wave’. Lead singer Husky Gawenda was humble and friendly, and seemed genuinely happy to be there for the night; he chatted a bit between songs, talked through his inspiration for new material, and gave the impression he was feeling his way into the scene again; there was no presumed arrogance from their success of years past, and Gawenda sounds ready to build on their rep, not just rely on it.
The group’s newer numbers were well received, especially ‘Deep Sky Diving’, a song dedicated to a struggling friend of Gawenda’s. The new material is melodic, and lyrically well written, with heavy influences from Fleet Foxes and Boy and Bear, but the harmonies don’t quite punch like they used to. Whether this was an off night, or they just need a bit of extra time to get back into the groove will remain to be seen.
The biggest number of the night was far and away their 2011 hit ‘History’s Door’, played late in the set, and if the crowd was wanting for anything more than they’d already seen, this was it. The boys played through flawlessly, and it was as much fun in the crowd as they were having on stage.
The final number for the set was ‘I’m Not Coming Back’, before which Gawenda promised to return to Perth soon on another tour after their newest album release in October.
It was clear the crowd was keen for more, and there was little ceremony about their ‘encore’ – they didn’t even leave the stage before finishing the night with oldie ‘Hunter’ which was another crowd favourite and had hands clapping and feet tapping. Finally ending with their previously unnamed number ‘Heartbeat’, set to be released on their upcoming record, they crowded around a couple of mics and delivered an intimate rendition of a cute song that is destined to end up the theme song of a bank ad in 2015.
With a few months to polish up, and get the new album tracks out for everyone to get to know a little better, Husky have serious potential to be as big as their height back in 2011. They might have a bit of a way to go, but it’s clear they’re willing to work on themselves and their art, and despite a few years off the road, they’re looking to be pretty true to their talented form.
