Live Review: Jordie Lane, Liz Stringer & Ryan Nico

Saturday night at Notes showcased three artists who perfectly capture some of the things that make country music; from rambling poetry to gorgeous vocal harmonies, the evening celebrated artists who are doing wonderful things with the country music tradition.

Ryan Nico clambered onto Notes' low stage with little production or fanfare. His incredibly rich, textured vocals filled the theatre, accompanied by understated guitar work. It would be difficult to say what this reviewer found more entrancing – Nico's voice itself, or the despondent poetry of his lyrics: “If promises were better kept/we'd have less emotional debt.” After a few tracks, Nico was joined on stage by vocalist Grace Cabello. The two made a powerful duo, with Cabello's mournful country tones highlighting the more rootsy elements of Nico's songs.

Liz Stringer delivered her alt.country storytelling in an effortless, good-humoured manner. Her lyrical style seemed to evoke rainy country towns, turbulent relationships and anything else Stringer happened to sing about. She has a gift for creating entire stories and scenes in the minds of her audience, and yet she is also kind of casual and light-hearted in a way that complements her down-to-earth, country-esque stylings.

What can you say about Jordie Lane? From impersonations of Jonah Takalua and characters from Family Guy to his roving, raving, country music style, Lane is an incredibly gifted musician, performer and lyricist. The warm, deep overtones of Lane's music generated an immediate intimacy and developed a kind of rapport with the audience. There is certainly something of Bob Dylan in Jordie Lane's rambling stories, yet there is also a driving force behind Lane's rhythms, as warmth vibrated from his bass lines, and a kind of power was found behind his male harmonies. Meanwhile, Lane's band worked together, like so many corresponding pieces, and perfectly showcased every part of his insanely incredible music.