Live Review: Cam Avery, Shiny Joe Ryan

Under the stage name Shiny Joe Ryan, the guitarist for psychedelic Perth band Pond took centre stage and became a one-man band as the opening guest for the night.

Equipped with a laptop and guitar, it didn’t take long for the personable Joseph Ryan to provide some hypnotic licks. With a stripped-back and raw sound, the Pond fans in the audience were treated to a rare display of Ryan’s solo songs in their skeletal state, almost demo-like in comparison to what was featured on his debut album, The Cosmic Microwave Background. The interweaving riffs and layers of loops built up to a frenetic groove that allowed Shiny Joe Ryan to play to his strengths and let his fuzzy psychedelic guitar take over.

Only a short while later Cam Avery fine-tuned his guitar and his space for the night ahead.

As a member of three prominent bands – the multi-instrumentalist has his fingers in many pies, as bassist for Tame Impala, drummer for Pond and lead frontman/guitarist of The Growl – there seems to be an unrelenting creative drive within Avery to push the boundaries of what it means to be a working musician. Tonight was a showcase of mainly new material for the forthcoming Growl album with plenty of heartfelt dark, bluesy tunes.

Avery made full use of the loop machine, adding extra layers in primal form – with vocal beats and tapping the wood on his guitar – creating a rich texture that complemented his old bluesman-like voice. Themes of love lost, found and forever seeking were evident in the new songs and delivered with heartfelt passion, almost Leonard Cohen-esque in delivery. Halfway through Avery dedicated his next song, a cover version of George Harrison’s I’d Have You Anytime, to his friend and band mate Joe Ryan, the song co-written with Bob Dylan, expressing both musicians’ friendship and appreciation, a sentiment that was appropriately tailored to Avery’s dedication.   

Later into the second half some more familiar tunes broke out. Described by Avery as “an oldie but a goodie” was Liarbird, whose lyrics – “If I knew I wouldn’t have tried girl” were both bittersweet and heartbreaking – while traditional blues standard John The Revelator was the final number, which gave him the chance to show his tremendous skill.

It then seemed that Avery was done for the night, but as it so happened the audience demanded an extra song and with an unplanned encore he was at the mercy of the crowd, prompting his playong another cover of one of his favourites – The Nearness Of You.

Both sides – audience and performer – showed a mutual appreciation and gratitude, described by Avery as one of the best crowds he’d played in front of. It was a special evening and now we wait in anticipation for The Growl’s next album to arrive in full form.