If you can imagine the love child of Spoon and Mumford & Sons, then you’ll have a rough idea of what Thom Lion has to offer in his self-titled show. The Adelaide-born indie/pop musician showcases some heartfelt and engaging lyrics this Fringe season, as well as his talents on various instruments. His momentum as a performer has only grown since the release of his last album, The Minimalist, in August of 2012, and his popularity is especially strong in South Australia where he grew up.
A product of Triple J’s famed Unearthed initiative, Lion certainly proves that he has earned his stripes as a folk singer. A three-piece band backs him for most of his set, but he does deliver a refreshing change of pace with several acoustic pieces, as well as a clever rendition of Jay-Z’s classic 99 Problems. His songs ‘How To Be an Astronaut’ and ‘The Seaside’ provide the audience with a window into his childhood, the latter accompanied by a wailing harmonica which enhances the little stories woven throughout the song. The boy who chose the middle name Lion at the age of four has turned into a man who sings fondly about his childhood growing up in Grange.
Lion’s talent also extends to selecting a wonderful supporting band: Tasmanian born and bred Halfway to Forth, a fraternal duo who get the audience in the mood for two hours of indie folk and blues. And the audience love it. Halfway to Forth are similar in many ways to Lion; the wide range of guitars, heartfelt lyrics, and a self-confessed feeling of awkwardness. Too much of a good thing? Never. Their similarities are also key points in their differences, and by the end of the evening, one feels a sense of contentedness, shown in their different experiences growing up, their approach to music, and the more bluesy style of Halfway to Forth.
The musical genius of Thom Lion is one that must be seen, or rather heard, to be believed. His understated yet intelligent lyrics come out in his beautiful songs, and it’s obvious that his heart is in whatever he is playing. He gives a strong performance, but not to the point of being overbearing or threatening. He is strong because he plays the chords confidently, the harmonica is stitched in to hold the song together, and he dips and lilts his voice in such a way that you feel yourself being completely drawn into the song. Oh, and make sure you find out about the underage driving story – the one with the drunk family and one very helpful bare-breasted woman. Actually, no need to ask, he’ll probably tell you about it anyway.
