Bachelor Girl is one of my favourite bands, full stop.

Apart from the divine vocals of Ms Tania Doko (@TaniaDoko), there are so many songs (many written by James Roche) that define keystone moments in my life… I remember when, a few years ago, I had the chance to meet BGirl outside the Entertainment Centre and I actually started crying when trying to explain to James just what BGirl songs meant to me.

How embarrassing.

But James was really sweet about my blubbering and asked lots of questions about specific songs and whatnot. He was loverley :)

It’s been about seven years since we last heard from BGirl, though I was lucky enough to see Tania perform at Burwood RSL in 2008 (turns out I never blogged about it, but Gus did). I assumed that BGirl had broken up, but apparently their 3rd album was ready to be released when their label was amalgamated with another label and caused all sorts of legal hoo-ha with copyright and whatnot.

But when Gus told me that they were going to be at The Basement (hello, iconic Sydney live venue), I booked a ticket for myself even though I knew I’d end up going on my own. Some gigs are worth being a nigel for.

Only problem with going on your own is that you might get some guy chatting you up, asking you what game you’re playing on your phone (Angry Birds) and then have to explain to him THE OBJECTIVE OF ANGRY BIRDS. Jeebus. And this guy (he was nice, to be fair) looked to be under 30 and admitted to not owning a mobile phone or a computer at home.

I didn’t know these people still existed, he belongs in a museum.

Thankfully BGirl started before he ran out of questions to ask (e.g. “What’s your five year plan?”) and began with a video mixtape of covers of their most popular song (and now listed as one the top 100 Australian songs of all time), Buses and Trains. It was mostly a mix of YouTube covers, but included people like Irwin Thomas, Jay Laga’aia AND HUMAN NATURE (zomg, hello!). It was quite well done and guaranteed a great response when the band bounded on stage.

Pic by Gwendolyn Lee of The AU Review

The set itself was fab, they covered almost all the songs I was hoping to hear, learned things about some fave songs (like, Waiting for the Day was written within an hour the night that James saw an ex at a party) and they were clearly stoked to be performing together again.

Pic by Gwendolyn Lee of The AU Review

They’ve announced on their FB page that there are more (acoustic!) tour dates in July and that the lost tracks from their third album (I’m assuming they mean those songs not included in their current release best-of album “Loved and Lost”) will be available digitally in the coming months, too.

Pic by Gwendolyn Lee of The AU Review

Here’s the set list from the Basement gig (Gus, this is for you):

Who needs to bootleg when something v similar is already on YouTube? How good is YouTube?!

Do you like Bachelor Girl?

I’m still gutted that I missed his Sydney concert last week, but hey, I can still watch him on youtube. And sing this on a Monday morning on my way to work.

I’m especially fond of the 2m35s mark ;)

What’s your Monday song?

“Hey, do you want to be my +1 at the Katie Noonan gig on Saturday night?” - Liz

I first noticed Katie Noonan when she was on The Panel yonks ago… an acoustic version of Special Ones that was outright stunning. I’ve got all her albums (George, Elixr, solo and now Katie Noonan and The Captains), though I must confess that her music genre isn’t one that I’ve clicked with yet… but I still love her voice.

So I happily traipsed along with Liz to the Factory Theatre in Marrickville while she took photos for Inner West Live.

I really liked the Alcohotlicks, the 2nd support act – an instrumental trio – Drag being my favourite track.

Katie herself was stunning, beautiful, striking and everything else in between. And when I get around to buying her album, I’ll be able to appreciate the tracks because she took the time to explain some of the songs to us.

I’d happily see her again :)

PS the above pic is just a mongy one that I took on my phone – for proper photos, go check out Liz’s

Actually, it was Steve Clisby, the man with a voice like melted butter.

He was a guest vocalist at that Haiti fundraiser I went to at The Basement a few weeks ago.

And an OH HAI at keyboardist Darryl Beaton (on the far left), who delivered a major flashback to my toe-tapping heydeys of Riva and Umbrella Red and the Riverside Brasserie. Zomg I’m so ollllllllllld.

Gawd, do I feel like the odd one out right now.

I can see why the clip is getting so much attention, but… yeah… you won’t hear the same raving from me.

Although I give props for the cigarette-laden sunnies.

But now I’m scared that I’m going to get the song stuck in my head.