Stepping away from their more upbeat and rocky music, Baby Let Me Go by Smoking Martha is a soft rock acoustic song with dark undertones on their album In Deep.
Echoing the glamorous aesthetic of rock and roll singers from the deep south, surprisingly this band hails from Brisbane’s sunny coastlines.
This is the second song I have reviewed of Smoking Martha’s, and I didn’t even realise it was the same band because of how different this song is to the last one!
Baby Let Me Go is about death and grief, with the video using classic symbols of religion, angels and roses to represent the loss and acceptance associated with the song.
My only criticism would be that the song takes a long time to warm up with perhaps one too many verses before reaching the bridge. This plus the repetitive shots used in the video made the song drag a little.
This song in particular reminds me of the 2000’s Ashley Simpson and Avril Lavigne, with a rocky and smokey undertone beneath the feminine and melodramatic exterior, which I think would appeal widely to today’s younger generation. However, their back catalogue is far more typical of the classic rock genre.
Leah Capelle is an emerging band from LA, who has a clean and positive pop sound.
Despite the band identifying with being alternative rock/pop, judging by their recent release called Joshua, I found the band’s style to be classic ‘modern country’. They remind me of Wilson Phillips and Carrie Underwood – very G-rated, very safe-listening.
Joshua is described as a song about ‘friendship and freedom’ – a positive message that is rarely explored in typical young rock bands – and reminded me of songs in the Christian soft rock genre.
In the music video, the band’s look conflicts with the sound. Whereas I was expecting to see early Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story‘ clothing style, the Leah Capelle band sport dark lipstick, heavy eyeliner and revealing gothic clothes.
Nevertheless, the song is professionally produced and the band has undeniable talent.
I had the best night of my life so far on Tuesday, March 18.
Pokey LaFarge is a ragtime/jazz band whose sound is like no other. Their thirties-based, feel-good music is absolutely incredible, you can’t help but dance and smile.
I knew about these guys months ago, I heard ‘Hard Times Come, Hard Times Go’ on an advert and looked them up. Although, it was their song ‘Pack It Up’ which got me hooked.
I emailed their manager and asked if they would be coming the New Zealand any time soon, because they are now my favourite band and I quite simply have to hear them live. The reply was, to my disappointment, saying it may happen one day but there were no official plans in place.
However, by Christmas I found out they were to play a gig in Auckland.
You can’t imagine my excitment.
When that Tuesday finally rolled around, I was so excited that I decided to get to the venue two hours before the doors opened. I could hear them practising and even caught a glimpse of some of the members!
The total grandiloquent moment that happened next was unexpected to say the least.
Pokey LaFarge noticed me outside and we chatted for ages! Well. 15 minutes. We even got a photo together! He told me about his travels and how he’s really just “a writer at heart”.
To put it into perspective, this was like a tween girl hanging out with Justin Beiber… I know. Incredible, right!?
He asked me what song was my favourite and I said “Pack It Up!” He replied, “Ooo. I may have to practice that one for yah!”
Their set was a gorgeous up-beat hybrid of jazz, blues and ragtime I was dancing and clapping and screaming the entire time.
TJ, the trumpet player, is a talented man to say the least! Gave me chills! He asked if I took swing lessons… He noticed us dancing in the front row!
Ryan, the percussionist, was fascinating to watch. It looks like he gets completely emerged and lost in the music. So awesome. I’m gutted I couldn’t find him after the gig!!
The clarinet and saxophone player is Chloe. I have to be honest, she made me regret giving up learning the clarinet when I was 9… I’m going to dig it out now that I know it is possible for it to sound that amazing!
The highlight was when Pokey said that this next song is dedicated to a “Kiwi named Jodie Hart”. I just died. On the spot. I do remember blurting out an inaudible “blaaaaa… That’s me!”. The song was Pack It Up. It was the single most incredible moment ever.
After the energetic gig, I met up with Pokey again. He signed the song list (that I subtly retrieved from the stage after the set) and told me to keep writin’!
I asked the bouncer if I could sneak past him to meet Joey (double bass), Adam (guitarist) and TJ, he said no. So the only logical thing was to look like I was about to turn away, but then skip past him. He laughed though, so no harm done. I did feel like quite a rebel though…
Everybody was easy to talk to. They are such interesting and talented people who look awesome in thirties attire.
What an unforgettable evening! How will I ever beat that night…
Thank you to the Pokey Lafarge band!
Jodie.
…I’m going to go ahead and take the title of “biggest fan”.
Leah Capelle is an emerging band from LA, who has a clean and positive pop sound.
NZ Film Freak 