October 11, 2020

Concert Review: Sam Bartells, Velvet Arrow, Grace Kelly, Anthology Lounge, 8 October 2020

Sam Bartells has grabbed attention in Nashville which is exceedingly difficult to do. The reason is soon made clear as he and his backing band fire up the Anthology Lounge. It’s the launch party for the recently released Let’s Go EP, recorded in Music City.

Sam Bartells was born in the Waikato which is one stronghold of American Roots music in New Zealand. Sounding like he was raised on Tom Petty, then tapped into the voices of John Mellencamp and Boss Bruce. And has arrived at a mission to revitalize Country Rock from the inside. An Outlaw in Nashville. Hello Waylon and Willie, Flatlanders too.

Young Americana artists tonight at Anthology Lounge in the heart of Aucklands Bohemia. On stage already as I come in is Teen sensation Grace Kelly. Lots of folk are talking up her potential. She is singing Lorde’s Royals and owing it with the brashness of youth.

Just with a big old acoustic guitar, and a dispensation to be at a bar. The sound system is a bit flat and hard to pick up detail. But she has energy to power through this and her voice rides over the top.

You’d See I’m Lying is hers. Something in the Water is a cover. Great rhythmic momentum. I think it’s Country Punk. She insists it is Country Pop. I’m thinking Jason and the Scorchers. A little R’n’B will be in there too.

Not too hard to see that she is a talent waiting to bloom. Has natural charisma already and I am reminded that New Zealand seems to be pumping talent out of recent times. I wonder if she would like Bluegrass?

Velvet Arrow are from around Whangarei. Dan Stenhouse and Hannah Young have been immersed in the Country and Folk music scenes of the area for possibly 10 years. They came together as a duo three years ago to explore the darker side of Alt Country which bleeds into Indie Folk.

Unfortunately, they really do suffer from a muddy dull sound which does not suit the nuances of their music.

Chelsea Hotel is a cover of the great Leonard Cohen song which they have available as a single. The famous New York one. Talking so swell and so sweet/ giving me head on the unmade bed. But the vocals are buried in a heavy blanket.

Dust to Dust is a cover of The Civil Wars song. Next to the stage and it is better as the stage monitors can be heard. Now Hannah has an excellent voice, more Folk than Country.

Broken Symphony and they hit their stride. Dark and measured, Folk to Goth. The singer has a richness in her voice and slowly raises the intensity. Soft at the bridge and then back up again. The McGarrigle Sisters, Jean Ritchie. Or locally Reb Fountain.

They harmonize well. Nice acoustic guitar licks. Leave Me Now sounding the closest to Country tonight.

I’m sure we will hear them again with a more sympathetic sound mix.

Sam Bartells has grabbed attention in Nashville which is exceedingly difficult to do. The reason is soon made clear as he and his backing band fire up. Sound system is miraculously spot-on for the rest of the show.

A launch for the recently released Let’s Go EP. Recorded in Nashville last year with crack musicians and produced by Dr Ford.

Our Love May Go Away is the kick-off. Country Americana and a little Steve Earle in attitude. Has the presence of Springsteen on stage. Not tall, sleeves rolled up, tattoos. A nice country fiddle from Shimna Higgins. Damn if she doesn’t look like Scarlet Riviera.

The rest of the band. Mitch French lead guitar and keyboards. Jason Slade cajon drums. Hannah Elise electric bass.

Mistaken is a new song being road tested. Americana that sounds deep and rooted to the soil. The bass player with a five-string, walks a little and excels all night.

Don’t Feel at Home swaps out guitar for the keyboard. More Pop. Can sing high and lonesome. As soulful as Charlie Rich could be.

White Wolf could be the Band as they pull into Nazareth. Slow and more measured. Violin accents the Country. Lyrics and feel of the song have echoes of fellow Canadian Neil Young.

Let’s Go is anthemic Country Rock. A call to arms and a shout out to the radio. Melodic and rides up to peaks. The audience cheers.

Blessed and Broken is highly personal. Addressing issues of drug dependency and finding a path back to salvation. The voice carries emotion in high laments and Gospel yodels. Country Soul as the bass does some heavy lifting and the guitar chimes and rings.

Alone No More varies the tone and the acoustic guitar is out front with nice short riffs from the lead. Time to take a moment to appreciate what a great singer Bartells is. He is very close to developing a signature accent. As John Fogerty forged with Creedence.

Sign and the band reduce to a trio of twin guitars and violin. Fiddle player makes this sweet and melodic.

Morning Light is similar in sentiment. The singing stretches out and shows impressive range. Bass player pulls out another pearler.

Let’s Go is reprised and then surprise, surprise. Free Fallin’ bringing it all back home.

There is a bright future ahead for this young New Zealander in a genre that has been over-represented and packed with sterling talent for a long time now.

Rev Orange Peel

Click any image to view a full-size gallery of each artist. Photos copyright Rachel Webb Photography.