Reviewed on Wednesday September 16
The Hollywood Hotel is such an unlikely edifice. The art deco building sits tucked away in Surry Hills, close to the Capitol Theatre, to Oxford Street, to parkland and rail lines. From the outside it seems both grand and out of place, a relic of silver-screen nostalgia, and the inside is not all that different. It has strange charm, but is tiny; the whole bar could be recreated on some of the city’s larger stages with minimal fuss, and the divide between audience and performer is nonexistent (when patrons navigate over instrument cases to reach the restroom, you know you’ve struck upon somewhere truly intimate).
I mention all of this because the Hollywood has played such a significant role in Falls’ career, and the idiosyncrasies of the venue – the odd characters, the strands of stories drifting in from all corners of the city – are echoed in the duo’s sumptuous sound and songwriting. The three sold-out shows here are a preview of new album, Omaha, and the unabashed excitement of the pair performing at their old haunt in front of so many rapt, familiar faces made for a pretty special night.
They were joined by perennial troubadour Direwolf, who opened the show with customary straight-shooting elan. Not one for small talk, his sets are lovestruck dirges, charting characters as they struggle through the absurd perils and splendid crescendos of everyday life. You’ll often see him performing around Newtown, and should you spy him, ‘Cowering Blues’, ‘Roaring Winds’ and ‘Hell Or Highwater’ are my recommendations, never failing to bring a shiver. He also has rather expressive feet, tracing quick hieroglyphics on the ground as he plays.
Falls really must be seen to be believed. Their harmonies are splendid, and their writing is catchy as hell. In fact, over the entire night there was really only one song that I thought was only good, not great. The duo’s tunes are such vibrant stories and they conjure them with happy ease. Highlights? ‘Summer’ was an early win, and ‘Please’ had the audience quietly singing under its breath all around. But really, the closing trio – ‘When We Were Young’, ‘Into The Fire’ and ‘Hollywood’ – became one of those musical memories you hope to keep stoking years down the line.
They began singing in the Hollywood years ago, and their homecoming was a thing of great pleasure. Hear them however you can.
