Kaki King - Adelaide, 31st May 2013
Words: Jo Taylor
Despite the miserable rain bucketing down on Adelaide this Friday night, the evening was far less gloomy inside The Gov as it played host to the spectacular musical stylings of American guitarist/singer Kaki King. The tour supporting her 2012 album Glow has seen her venture to some smaller regional areas of Australia on this 14-date tour.
Kicking off the evening was local talent Vorn Doolette. Looking sharp, he charmed the crowd immediately “You guys have warmed my heart”. He blended witty banter with his clever sweet songs including Orange Dress, German Intern - complete with crowd participation (never has a crowd universally saying ‘Shhhhhhh’ been so beautiful), The Rodeo, The Fantastic Four Is Not So Fantastic Anymore, End Of The World (with an interesting idea of a End of the World phone app) and the charming and slightly obsessive song 9 Songs A Problem. Other than teasing the crowd about his hang out time with Kaki King, said with good humour and charm of course, he had the crowd in his hands by the end of the set and was a beautifully matched support for the main act.
Brooklyn based Kaki King came on stage with little fanfare, but soon the small framed King made her presence felt as she captured the audience from the very beginning. “How come nobody told me Australia gets cold and rainy?” she quipped before starting with new track Great Round Bum.
Bone Chaos in the Castle from her 2008 album Dreaming of Revenge was followed by one of the new tracks Holding The Severed Self. “I finally made an album I’m happy with! It only took 6 albums” she spoke of Glow.
Before going into another new track Fences, the crowd was given a brief history of one of a handful of beautiful guitars showcased by King. “This particular guitar is called a Griffin, made by a guy named Joe Veillette. It’s a 12 string guitar tuned from D to D. 8 notes in 12 strings”. Known for playing some very unique guitars and blending styles into her own original sound, King is a riveting guitarist to watch. She plays with ease and grace and leaves the crowd transfixed.
Continuing with new tracks Cargo Cult and Streetlight in the Egg, she then launched into Doing The Wrong Thing from the Into The Wild soundtrack, which displayed another unique guitar, a 7-string guitar with a fanned fret board producing a very lush sound.
King, who rarely shares details of her private life, spoke of marrying wife, Jessica and their honeymoon in Australia. “It wasn’t a gay marriage, it was just a normal marriage” she said, referencing the ongoing battle for same sex marriage laws. She launched into Jessica from the 2006 album ...Until We Felt Red, which, ironically, isn’t actually about her wife.
Then introducing the crowd to another of her guitars, a hybrid between a guitar and a Japanese Koto made by Kaki herself “Just using a piece of wood under the strings, on top of the fret board. Anyone can make it. So much cheaper!” for the beautiful Bowen Island. Playing from her 2003 album Everybody Loves You was Carmine St before her Paul Vo guitar got some attention “It sounds Synth, but it’s not. It’s a crazy cool guitar”. To all aspiring guitarists, do yourselves a favour and check out Kaki King’s stuff!
King’s amusing tales of different crowd reactions from each country had everyone laughing as did recounting her sisters bridezila wedding which lead into the song she played at her wedding King Pitzel.
The night was closed with an encore of the gorgeous Sunnyside, a luscious tune played on her 12-string guitar. Kaki King proved yet again why she was voted in Rolling Stone’s “The New Guitar Gods” list in 2006 - which Kaki is humbled yet somewhat bemused by herself. Her incredible technical skills coupled with her charismatic persona make her a stand out performer. Even if you do walk away feeling somewhat bitterly jealous of her talent.
Kicking off the evening was local talent Vorn Doolette. Looking sharp, he charmed the crowd immediately “You guys have warmed my heart”. He blended witty banter with his clever sweet songs including Orange Dress, German Intern - complete with crowd participation (never has a crowd universally saying ‘Shhhhhhh’ been so beautiful), The Rodeo, The Fantastic Four Is Not So Fantastic Anymore, End Of The World (with an interesting idea of a End of the World phone app) and the charming and slightly obsessive song 9 Songs A Problem. Other than teasing the crowd about his hang out time with Kaki King, said with good humour and charm of course, he had the crowd in his hands by the end of the set and was a beautifully matched support for the main act.
Brooklyn based Kaki King came on stage with little fanfare, but soon the small framed King made her presence felt as she captured the audience from the very beginning. “How come nobody told me Australia gets cold and rainy?” she quipped before starting with new track Great Round Bum.
Bone Chaos in the Castle from her 2008 album Dreaming of Revenge was followed by one of the new tracks Holding The Severed Self. “I finally made an album I’m happy with! It only took 6 albums” she spoke of Glow.
Before going into another new track Fences, the crowd was given a brief history of one of a handful of beautiful guitars showcased by King. “This particular guitar is called a Griffin, made by a guy named Joe Veillette. It’s a 12 string guitar tuned from D to D. 8 notes in 12 strings”. Known for playing some very unique guitars and blending styles into her own original sound, King is a riveting guitarist to watch. She plays with ease and grace and leaves the crowd transfixed.
Continuing with new tracks Cargo Cult and Streetlight in the Egg, she then launched into Doing The Wrong Thing from the Into The Wild soundtrack, which displayed another unique guitar, a 7-string guitar with a fanned fret board producing a very lush sound.
King, who rarely shares details of her private life, spoke of marrying wife, Jessica and their honeymoon in Australia. “It wasn’t a gay marriage, it was just a normal marriage” she said, referencing the ongoing battle for same sex marriage laws. She launched into Jessica from the 2006 album ...Until We Felt Red, which, ironically, isn’t actually about her wife.
Then introducing the crowd to another of her guitars, a hybrid between a guitar and a Japanese Koto made by Kaki herself “Just using a piece of wood under the strings, on top of the fret board. Anyone can make it. So much cheaper!” for the beautiful Bowen Island. Playing from her 2003 album Everybody Loves You was Carmine St before her Paul Vo guitar got some attention “It sounds Synth, but it’s not. It’s a crazy cool guitar”. To all aspiring guitarists, do yourselves a favour and check out Kaki King’s stuff!
King’s amusing tales of different crowd reactions from each country had everyone laughing as did recounting her sisters bridezila wedding which lead into the song she played at her wedding King Pitzel.
The night was closed with an encore of the gorgeous Sunnyside, a luscious tune played on her 12-string guitar. Kaki King proved yet again why she was voted in Rolling Stone’s “The New Guitar Gods” list in 2006 - which Kaki is humbled yet somewhat bemused by herself. Her incredible technical skills coupled with her charismatic persona make her a stand out performer. Even if you do walk away feeling somewhat bitterly jealous of her talent.