As a musical venture, teaming up with a spouse is risky.
For it to be a success there needs to be some seriously good musical skills to back up the short-lived appeal of the band members singing love songs about each other. But pop-folk duo Microwave Jenny nails it, privileging their audience to an impressive display of talent and the adorable interactions of two crazy-in-love kids.
It’s almost shocking when Brendon Boney starts strumming his guitar, because the banter that preludes the first song is worth listening to in itself. The couple has an unbelievable rapport that, while intimate, radiates some warmth to the already-smitten audience. But thankfully, weaved into the romance is a music set and it’s killer.
Tessa Boney’s voice is nothing short of sensational – throaty but flawless, and the “perfect combination of sexy and cute” that Steve Carrell harps on about in Crazy Stupid Love. Brendon is only slightly less impressive when he leads a tune, but the harmonies he creates is where his true vocal talent shines. He brings the RnB to Tessa’s jazzy tones and, with a few touches here and there, it evolves into their pop-folk baby.
And then there’s the subject matter! “Homemade Lemonade”, “Locked In The Closet” (a reference to spin the bottle) and “We’ll Be Fine” – a song the couple sang to guests at their own wedding. Everything about these two is just lovely but not once is their evident adoration for each other off putting.
“Valium Whispers, Red Bull Touch” is an acoustic RnB tune with a country pace and perfectly captures the sensations that special someone can give you. Even when Microwave Jenny aren’t singing their own odes to love, it’s electrifying. Their cover of “When You Walk in the Room” is just gorgeous – made even more so by the use of the audience to echo the bird-like melody.
A rendition of fun new single “You, Me, Backseat” goes down well and “I’m Gonna Get Ya” – a song about a stalker – draws lots of giggles. A sultry version of “Boom Boom” by Justice Crew is commendable but it’s the medley of pop songs that breaks up crowd-favourite “Mellow” that the duo really grab their audience.
The line-for-line exchange between the Boney couple of everything from Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” to “Gangam Style” is highly entertaining and just plain clever.
If you didn’t have a couple you secretly admired (read: envied) already, jump on the Microwave Jenny bandwagon; and enjoy their phenomenal music while you’re at it.
