Gypsy and the Cat + Jinja Safari – Oxford Art Factory (05.08.10)

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When attending Splendour in the Grass, one part of the day quite difficult to make it in time for is anything pre-Noon. Two bands who fit into this category conveniently joined forces for a wonderful evening at the Oxford Art Factory, and my final Splendour in the Grass sideshow for 2010.

Having regretfully missed a favourite of mine, Step-Panther, I thankfully arrived just in time to see Triple J Splendour Unearthed winners Jinja Safari take to the stage. With their first ever show held in May, a raved about Splendour performance, and their debut EP due in September, it’s clearly been quite an eventful few months for the Sydney based duo – who tonight played as a five piece.

Watching this band live reminds me of the first time I listened to Animal Collective – although I feel they are related closer to something along the lines of Dappled Cities. Nonetheless, as they perform on a stage covered in vines, they easily hold a similar “wow” factor to the North American indie icons.

Dreamy, experimental and down right fun, if you hadn’t heard the hype until now, you better start listening. Triple J favourite “Peter Pan” was an easy highlight of the set. Possibly because it was the only song I’d heard previously… but still.

UK based Melbournites Gypsy & The Cat followed, carrying a much different appeal. Similar to Jinja Safari, however, they are a two piece who have expanded into a larger four piece for their live show. Where Jinja are experimental, Gypsy & The Cat stick to a polished formula. Not in the “OH THE BURNING!” way that someone like Ke$ha does, mind you – rather, more like the way bands like Toto and Supertramp did it in the 70s and early 80s. In other words, it’s awesome. Indeed. this is a band who herald back to the music of old, giving it a fresh take, while still feeling strangely familiar.

A band like Gypsy & The Cat aren’t the sort to convert – if you grew up on music such as the aforementioned, and love it, then you’ll love this new take on a classic appeal. However, if you’ve never been too hot on it, Gypsy & The Cat probably aren’t going to change your mind.

But for me, as I’m very much the former, I found it to be a brilliant set. Track “Jona Vark” was a highlight, and it was a thrill to hear a new take on the music I grew up with. I can’t think of anyone since The New Radicals who have done it quite so convincingly. You may remember The New Radicals as a one hit wonder, and indeed they were – but I get the feeling that Gypsy & The Cat have quite a bit of life ahead of them yet! I for one look forward to seeing what they pull out in the coming months – and you’ll have a chance to hear for yourself when they tour for Parklife later this year!

Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.