In the ancient days of 1992, when dinosaurs still ruled the Earth, young (17) Guy Blackman formed Chapter Music, which would go on to become one of Australia’s longest-running independent music labels, winning the 2019 AIR Award for Best Independent Label and supporting over fifty artists over the years. In addition to founding the Chapter Music label, Blackman was a performer as well, both with Minimum Chips, as the bass guitarist, and his own projects. But it’s been a long time since the 2008 album “Adult Baby” and on September 11 at the Northcote Social Club, Blackman launched his new album “Out Of Sight” with support from Who Cares? and Matt Harkin.
Matt Harkin played dulcet semi-acoustic tones with folkish content, whereas in significant contrast Who Cares? provided an interesting synth-folk admixtured, especially notable for the gentle vocals providing a distant echo with the slow and low-key samples complementing what is almost (in the same sense that Neil Young is “almost”) country rock. Both the support acts performed with acumen and enthusiasm, preparing the audience for the evening’s highlight.
Now it must be said that Blackman has an unusual stage presence. He doesn’t have a grand physique, an imposing countenance, elaborate costume, or anything like that at all. Indeed, quite the opposite. He sits, front-and-centre, with his keyboards, in rather plain outfit and style. It’s a curious low-key presentation that suits both the performer’s presentation, and draws attention to what really matters – his musicianship, his voice, his lyrical content – which he excels in all vectors.
The music itself is a light rock, almost lounge jazz, and sometimes folk. Blackman’s voice is gentle and clear. He shows great skill at working rich metaphors in his lyrics, which often are like little short stories with unexpected plot twists. He engages with self-deprecating humour when elaborating the content and history of songs to the audience, which adds to his likeability, he sings with genuine humour, and affection, and shows plaintive sensitivity to queer relationship expectations – especially in tracks “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and “Touch and Go”, and “It Hurts Me to Sing”, along with the rousing ballad “Always Going to Love You More”.
As can be expected, the overwhelming majority of the content of the night was from Blackman’s new album, but not exclusively so with tracks from Adult Baby included in the set as well, such as “Carlton North” (a very fine suburb, I assure you), which stood out to this listener. Even with the two support bands, Blackman’s performance left one wanting more, such is the utter charm of his magic. The best way to achieve that, of course, is to get a copy of “Out of Sight”, the latest album of this shy giant of Australian independent music.
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