22 Dec 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Carb On Carb - Gig Review: Carb On Carb @ Space Academy, Christchurch - 08/06/2024

10 Jun 2024 // A review by Peter K Malthus

Carb On Carb are currently on a tour of Australia and New Zealand, which will see them perform five dates in each country. Touring is right at the heart and soul of their drive as a band, having seen them perform extensively throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia, and the USA.

Their show in Christchurch was the eighth of the tour, having played in Dunedin the night before. Space Academy are staunch supporters of live music, and seeing a show there is always a treat, and tonight was no exception. The crowd were buzzing with anticipation as local heroes This Dog took to the stage, and they duly delivered by the bucketload. Vocalist Robbie has a superb stage presence and is ably backed by four tasteful and golden-toned players, presenting their unique sound and perspective that sets them apart from many of their contemporaries. I saw many folks around me singing adoringly along with a set including Feel The Same, Sleep For DinnerClockwork, and hit single Bug Eyed. 

Next up were another beloved local act, Model Home. The "sad songs quartet" formed in Christchurch in 2019, and released their debut album ...And Nobody Made A Sound in 2023. Vocalist/Guitarist Rachael has a clear and powerful voice, soaring over the top of the luscious, jangly guitars and super tasty rhythm section, singing with heart and passion. Having been namechecked by this dog in a sweet anecdote, Model Home continued the mutual admiration society between the three bands, the expressions of love and friendship adding to the overall energy and enjoyment of the show. Model home make infectiously good music, thoughtful and soulful songs delivered with high energy, which was received with rapturous applause.

Carb On Carb have an impressively massive sound for a two-piece (which is greatly assisted by the assemblage of pedals on Vocalist/Guitarist Nicole's pedalboard, having enjoyed wandering up for a little nerd-out at the conclusion of their set). Both Nicole and James (Vocals/Drums) are excellent players, and fantastically and tightly in tune with one another, as they took the bewitched audience on a wonderful journey with their short but sweet set of Emo-Punk. It's Been A Rough Yearfrom the new album Take Time (the reason for this particular tour) was first up, and Home Again 7, Here Comes The Best Bit, 2009, and Be My Mirror made an appearance, along with more references to the joyful love and connection between the three bands. Carb On Carb have a magnificent melodic sense, with beautiful vocals. I also feel I need to share that now being in ever-advancing middle-age, I have been to a lot of live shows in my time, a LOT. I've seen bands who have shaped my own musical journey and screamed my fanboy jubilation from the crowd. And it's been exceptionally rare that I have  gone home from a show and thought "man I feel like listening to more of that right now!". However, that's precisely what I did upon getting home after this show, proudly donning my nice new Carb On Carb t-shirt. This was easily one of the best shows I've been privileged to attend in the last couple of years.

You still have an opportunity to catch them on this tour, this coming Friday 14th in Wellington at Welsh Dragon, and Saturday 15th at Snails in Palmerston North, and you can get tickets from undertheradarI can't think of many better ways to treat yourself this weekend.

 

About Carb On Carb

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).

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Carb On Carb

Releases

Take Time
Year: 2024
Type: Album
For Ages
Year: 2018
Type: Album
Carb On Carb
Year: 2015
Type: Album
Ladies Mile
Year: 2013
Type: EP
No Body Perfect
Year: 2012
Type: EP

Other Reviews By Peter K Malthus

Narcotic Tonsils - Album Review: You'll Get What You're Given
18 Dec 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Now, I'm just going to get this out of the way right at the start: I know these guys, their guitarist Troy is a really good mate of mine, and I used to share a house with their frontman/bassist Andy - in fact, when he first started talking about a new band he wanted to put together, back in 2019. Two years later, Narcotic Tonsils erupted into being, and swiftly became my favourite Christchurch band (apart from the ones I'm in myself, obviously).
Read More...
Damien Binder - EP Review: Heartful
16 Dec 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Damien Binder is now well into his fourth decade of releasing music, and his third as a solo artist. He has an impressive back catalogue to show for it, and his latest EP Heartful sits admirably alongside his previous releases.
Read More...
Gig Review: Otautahi Smoke BBQ Fest @ Hagley Park, Christchurch - 14/12/2024
16 Dec 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
I had a fair amount of trepidation about heading along to Otautahi Smoke BBQ Festival, the temperature was forecast to be 31 degrees, and I'm one of those folk who, as Billy Connolly so eloquently put it, is "so white, I'm pale blue". Luckily, I found a nice shady spot with a great view of the stage, and easy access to the free water station, and with a nice cool breeze blowing through, I didn't have to worry about burning to a crisp.
Read More...
Lavender - EP Review: Types Of Infatuation
29 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Types Of Infatuation is the name and the theme of the debut EP from Tamaki Makaurau based Lavender, who has been songwriting and performing from a young age, and whose style has developed into a well-crafted blend of indie folk-pop and alt-rock. Lavender has performed at many high profile events over the past few years, and if this EP is anything to go by, looks well set to go on too much bigger things again.
Read More...
Dylan Kay - EP Review: (I Could) Watch You Forever
29 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Dylan Kay is a seasoned player, having begun 35 years ago, and having been teaching for the last 25 of them, including setting up what is now Auckland's biggest guitar school, in 2012. Originally from the U.
Read More...
Star Chart - EP Review: White Girl Whining
26 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
White Girl Whining is the sophomore EP from Tamaki Makaurau-based Star Chart, a project created and fronted by Chrissie Hart, multi-talented multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire. After an impressive career of touring the world playing on cruise ships, in hotels, and as a session musician, she returned to her hometown to finally start recording some original music that she'd been quietly working on since high school.
Read More...
CAITLIN - EP Review: Legacy
22 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Legacy is the latest in an impressive list of releases from Otautahi-based CAITLIN, an EP comprised of her last three singles and one previously unreleased track, Attention. The four songs presented here amply demonstrate her growth and maturing as an artist and songwriter, as she examines the emotions involved in some deeply personal experiences, at times laying herself bare with rawness and honesty.
Read More...
Patients - Album Review: Homemade Pills
19 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Homemade Pills is a new album by Patients, one of the projects of Christchurch's Aeneas Jones. As well as fronting heavy rockers PhatSak and performing with Chickenyard and When I Was Sexy, Aeneas drew together the collective Patients to play and record this latest effort.
Read More...
View All Articles By Peter K Malthus

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem