The band are a two-piece and are comprised of Nicole Gaffney (vocals, guitar) and James Stuteley (drums). Gaffney had a great stage presence and they both bantered with the audience throughout the evening.
They joked that their take away message was "we’re from Whanganui". Their ease, playfulness and composure thought out the show carried through into their music, particularly with the first track to their new album, titled 2009. It brought that punk pop vibe and a good dose of nostalgia. Try hard to not to dance to it, it’s difficult.
One thing I think the live experience really delivered on was the richness of the guitar sound Gaffney brings as her voice sinks into the rich, loud chords. I liked that her vocals weren’t the predominant sound. Instead the drums carry you away and the intensity of Gaffney’s voice follows, sort of a bit blurry if that makes sense. The duo wasn't afraid to channel their woes into the lyrics at once sharing and reassuring the audience ahead of a song about a departed pet. It’s sincerity and I appreciate it.
Gaffney’s side hustle is working for an organisation championing music for young people, To The Front. The band continue their Take Time tour across a range of venues in Australia and New Zealand, be sure to go and check them out!
Carb on Carb are a product of many places. In the band’s lifetime they have been based in 4 cities and played in at least 70. The band's first and self-titled album (2015) was “noisy and heartfelt, bridging the gap between 1990's emo bands like Rainer Maria and current counterparts like Waxahatchee” (Mess + Noise).
Relentless touring won over fans across Australasia and the band temporarily relocated to Australia in 2017. This time away drew the band’s focus back to home with their celebrated second album For Ages (2018); an extended love letter to NZ, with “soaring vocals, a guitar tone warm as a woollen blanket, mathy lead bits, ever changing dynamics and crash cymbals that wash over you like the ocean...as good an emo release as you will hear anywhere this year” (4ZZZ).
After few years back in Aotearoa and the inevitable covid-delay factor, their third and final album Take Time was released in early 2024; "a cathartic and strangely calming experience. I can’t really think of many albums that tackle the topic of time and aging with such fun, irreverence and heartfelt emotion. Take Time is a collection of powerful songs, performed beautifully and written with absolute honesty. It’s what albums should be – an expression of the artist without filter” (Muzic.net.nz).