The depth and breadth of the Tasmanian music scene was put on full display at the launch of Dvrkworld‘s magnificent debut self-titled EP (see Backseat Mafia’s review here).
Held at the über cool Altar Bar in Nipaluna/Hobart, the night was a blast of thoroughly satisfying brilliance from all the bands, ranging from the death metal throat roars of Crab, the angular cow punk of Funeral Jeans, the synthesised punk pogo pop from the Slag Queens to the wall of noise shoegaze assault from Dvrkworld.
Crab surprised with their quasi Finnish death metal sound, leavened by their casual presence and camaraderie on stage – a challenging style but executed perfectly and with aplomb and a little sense of humour. Funeral Jeans were hard to define but there were elements of Wall of Voodoo cow punk mixed with a sixties-flavoured doo wop style and angular scything guitars – highly entertaining and dynamic. The Slag Queens are veterans of the local indie scene and displayed an assured punk-pop set with a synth buzz and passionate delivery.
The key thread running through the evening was the sheer songwriting skills and musicianship of all bands – an unifying emblem of the status of Lutruwita/Tasmania’s healthy (if not somewhat incestuous!) music scene.
Short sharp sets and an appreciative crowd provided a very satisfying introduction for Dvrkworld. Singer/songwriter Mary Shannon opened the set with a solo on guitar, highlighting her expressive and melodic vocals and her magnetic stage presence.
Moving to bass, she was joined by the rest of the band to deliver a pulse-racing set consisting of material from the new EP. The sheer quality of the EP indicated there was something special ahead, but live, Dvrkworld seemed to go into the stratosphere: delivering something far bigger than could be contained on the stage of the Altar Bar. I had come across the band on the lawns of MONA last year while there for another band, and even then in the broad daylight my attention was captured by their shoegaze buzz and songwriting. Tonight, under the blazing lights and atmosphere of the venue, the delivery was a rocket blast performance.
The twin guitar attack from Drew Farrant-Jayet and Ryan Unger provided a thoroughly satisfying drone augmented by spine tingling riffs that cut through the onslaught. Shawn Arnold’s drums provided a steely, steady beat, keeping the monster sound upright and throbbing with intensity. Shannon’s bass was a revelation: creating a variety of atmospheric sonic shapes and a melodic spine that would make Peter Hook proud.
Of course the unique selling point of Dvrkworld’s shoegaze fugue are the mellifluous vocals and the soaring melodies they deliver – slightly set back in the mix but as delicate and gossamer light as the music is dark and heavy. It’s a contrapuntal force difficult to carry off in a live setting, but Dvrkworld perfects it (assisted by the excellent production and mixing).
The EP ‘Dvrkworld’ is out now through Psych Salad Records in Australia/New Zealand and Europe with local shipping options available via The Weird Beard in the UK and Echodelick Records in the USA. You can download and stream through the link above and here.
The band will be continuing the launch at the Royal Oak in Launceston on 11 April 2025 – tickets here. If you are are in the region – make sure you go. It’s an euphoric perfomance from a band that will continue to rise into the firmament.
Words: Arun Kendall
Crab Gallery:
Funeral Jeans Gallery:
Slag Queens Gallery:
Dvrkworld Gallery:
Feature Photograph and Gallery: ©fullonrockphotography/Andrew Fuller
