The Teskey Brothers, Auckland NZ, 2019

The Teskey Brothers

6th December 2019
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Mike Beck. Photography by Chris Zwaagdyk.

Fresh from a triple triumph at Australia’s ARIA music awards, The Teskey Brothers turned up on Friday night with their unique brand of blue-eyed soul, and some added self-assurance to head the first of two sell-out shows at the hub of mid-sized central Auckland venues, The Powerstation.

Having previously visited these shores as support for Angus & Julia Stone in 2017, and last year as a headline act at The Mercury Theatre, The Teskey Brothers return to NZ with a new record under their belt, Run Home Slow, and three ARIA’s, including the big one; best group.

With a sound that transports one back to the golden age of soul music (think the dirt of Stax & Muscle Shoals rather than polish of Motown), and a dedication to authentically capture the essence of their embodied influences, it’s a surprise that The Teskey Brothers all hail from Melbourne. Many may feel the way Wilson Pickett did when he discovered the session players backing the likes of Aretha Franklin and co down at Muscle Shoals studios were white. This aside, the Teskey’s have other musical flavours in their brew; blues, roots, country and Dixie jazz.

Fellow Melbournian Harmony Byrne opened up with a tone-setting and evocative six-song set of sultry blues/rock originals. Byrne’s vocal style is emotive, and along with her roaming and somewhat unpredictable phrasing, she carries the spirit of Jeff Buckley. This was most notably evident in the songs ‘Smoke Inside’ and ‘Come Down vs. Calm Down’.

Byrne was ably backed by her three-piece band, who deftly handled some stilted arrangements and moody tunes. Not only from the same city, and with some obvious camaraderie (shared musical gear onstage, as well as Byrne’s guitarist acting as the Teskey’s stage tech), Harmony Byrne and her band proved a good match for the Teskey Brothers. Her brooding vocals and darker material ensuring a point of difference while not being too dissimilar in musical genres.

Then it was time for our brothers (and one sister) from across the ditch to take the stage. They entered to the sweet setup of Nina Simone’s ‘I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to Be Free’, and a rousing welcoming from an excitable full house. From note one the Teskey’s sounded like a band worthy of their recent ARIA best group mantle. Opening up with ‘Let Me Let You Down’ (also the opener of Run Home Slow), the band proved to be slickly tight, and in the groove immediately. Cheers from a full-house of voices arose when lead vocalist Josh Teskey set his free; delighting in the soul-fuelled tone of his vocals and heartfelt way that he performs. Throughout the evening, many would loudly declare that they loved his voice.

The band followed with another album opener; ‘Crying Shame’, off their 2017 debut Half Mile Harvest. The Teskey’s have a tendency to favour a 6/8 ballad feel. In fact, the first five songs of their set employed this time signature. Josh introduced the Otis Redding-esque ‘Say You’ll Do’ as a song written by his brother Sam. He noted that not only do all the band members write, but that he and Sam are the only Teskey’s in the group. The core of the band is made up of school friends drawn within close neighbourhood proximity.

‘I Get Up’ gave a nod to those experiencing hard times, with brother Josh leading a fun fadeout in which he sang in gusto off mic on his knees; queue heightened cheers from the audience. The new ballad ‘Rain’ was given a passionate treatment, Josh’s vocals and the band evoking Otis Redding with Stax house band Booker T and The M.G.’s. Making their presence felt were Hammond organist Olaf Scott, and the horn section of trumpeter Charlie Woods and Trombonist Nate Sametz, who Josh acknowledged throughout the set for the talent they bring to the table and the brass power they provide to embellish the material.

“Time in airports” provided the inspiration for the next number, as the acoustic guitar, shakers and tambourine came out for a stripped back version of ‘San Francisco’. The New Orleans styled ‘Sunshine Baby’ offering up a musical chair opportunity, as bassist Brendon Love switched to banjo (with a strap that looked to be of Maori design), while Sam Teskey traded his guitar for a Hofner bass. Drummer Liam Gough employed brushes, while Woods showed dexterity with some muted trumpet colourings.

The band then launched into a purple patch three play; the grooving ‘So Caught Up’, the feel-shifting ‘Honeymoon’, and epic ballad Paint My Heart. All were sublime, and aptly grouped. The Teskey’s were winning hearts; the placement of their hands over their own in acknowledgement giving notice that they were feeling the love from us.

The gospel/blues ‘Louisa’ brought things back to ground, written by drummer Gough, who played an unconventional solo. ‘Right for Me’, a non-album single, closed out the show. With its Meters-style funky groove and complemented vocal syncopation, those who were willing were allured to sway and dance one more time. A rousing reception and insistence for more drew the Teskey’s back for a one song encore, while Josh checked if Harmony Byrne was floating backstage and invited her to join them. A semi-acapella rendition of ‘Hold Me’ demanded full audience vocal participation; “Hold me, don’t hold me down, carry me, keep my feet on the ground.”

The driving force behind the Teskey’s are the brothers themselves; Josh’s super-soulful and earthy vocals lead the way, while Sam’s guitar work is masterful, all the while colouring each song with a deft touch and discerning ear. Said of his brother’s playing; “Sam doesn’t play the guitar, he sings it.” It would be fair to say that as a unit, The Teskey Brothers have their shit together. With more dates this month and leading into the New Year, the Teskey’s are set to take their music to greater and higher realms. They’re on a roll, all power to them to rock houses around the globe in the time forthcoming.

Were you there at the Powerstation to witness this Aussie Blues Rock act? Or have you seen The Teskey brothers perform live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!

The Teskey Brothers Setlist:

1. Let Me Let You Down
2. Crying Shame
3. Say You’ll Do
4. I Get Up
5. Rain
6. San Francisco
7. Sunshine Baby
8. So Caught Up
9. Honeymoon
10. Paint My Heart
11. Louisa
12. Right For Me
13. Hold Me [encore]

Harmony Byrne Setlist:

1. Lovin’ You Is Lonely
2. Smoke Inside
3. Send It
4. Good Idea
5. Satisfied
6. Come Down vs. Calm Down

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