Live Review: Elli Schoen

Everyone waits with anticipation for the main act to take the stage, for Elli Schoen to finally unveil her new single Hard Heart.

After a very successful 2015, performing with with the likes of Gang Of Youths and Katy Steele and touring with Abbe May, this extremely talented and insightful singer-songwriter has become known for creating magical live shows. Schoen lived up to her reputation with the launch of the single. Accompanied by Anthony Doherty (drums) and Tone Bourke (keys), Schoen hypnotised the audience with her dreamy vocals and nostalgic melodies, including the title single from her previous EP, Love In Suburbia, and a haunting rendition of Justin Timberlake's Cry Me A River.

Her impressive range allowed her to convey a broad variety of emotions from anger and sadness to acceptance and serenity, which very much echoes her lyrics about love found and lost and the complexities of human relationships. Schoen left the best for last and, along with guest performer Bridget Turner from Simone & Girlfunkle, wrapped up her performance with the long-awaited new single Hard Heart. This upbeat yet beautifully sad song came from a fruitful collaboration with Joel Quartermain (Eskimo Joe, Meg Mac) and poignantly captures the bitterness and disappointment a failed relationship leaves in a broken heart. There is something transcendent about Schoen's and storytelling that resonates with everyone who listens. This folk-inspired Indie-pop artist is definitely one of the finest acts Perth has to offer.