Lincoln le Fevre and the Insiders

Linc and the Insiders

with Sam J. Nicholson and the World of Women's Tennis

Thursday, January 17 2008 @ Republic Bar and Cafe, North Hobart
by thomas.

For those who’ve witnessed the past decade of Tasmania music, Linc Le Fevre has always been prominent in its light. The iconic Hobart singer/songwriter has past graced the scene in many outfits, with Fell to Erin or his time with Enola Fall being the most recent. His latest musical incarceration, Linc Le Fevre and the Insiders, played their debut show last Thursday at North Hobart’s Republic Bar.

Young up-and-coming band-whore, Sam J Nicholson, began the night, performing along with his World of Women’s Tennis. He began the set introducing this next song as a karaoke number, citing that lyrically he will be addressing relationships and the annoying instance of stolen washing. With nothing but a backing tape, Sam’s first venture into the eyes and ears of the audience projected a lyrically clever individual with an awkward instrument-less stance. The track got me thinking about the humble story-telling ways of Darren Hanlon somehow combine with the lounge-pop-loveliness of Elvis Costello. Despite the fact that this particular song was a departure from the rest of his set, the song was an obvious highlight. From this point on, Sam invited his collection of friends to perform his more folk orientated material.

Musically, the World of Women’s Tennis is an accomplished collective, using violins, guitars, keyboards and harmonies to seduce the audience. As the set went on it became apparent just how great an indie-folk front man and songwriter Sam is. Unfortunately however, aside from the fantastic Jens Lekman sendoff reference, I couldn’t help but miss the apparently awkward tape-deck performer, of the set’s opener.

Linc began his set with a compilation of his solo works. It was the typical great Australian voice combine with acoustic intricacies that we’ve come to expect. The melodies were engaging and the lyrics were quaint. Linc looked obviously thrilled to be back performing in front of such an enthusiastic crowd as he delivered rich introductions throughout his performance. The Insiders features Henry Nichols (Drums), Richard Armstrong (Bass) and Rob Grundel (Keys), and was reported to be Lincoln's songs hit with ‘more soul and more swagger than ever before’. This is a completely accurate remark as many times during the night it felt like Linc had been writing a sister record to Ryan Adams’s Gold; using rich organs, cascading drums and consistent guitar swings. Obviously the band is incredibly capable and delivered great rock ‘n’ roll lines as; “Don’t let these mother fuckers get you down”, but when all was said and done, despite the fact that it was brilliant to see these clearly dissimilar songs being performed outside of Fell to Erin, the sheer potency of Linc’s solo performance stole the night and eclipsed a worthy band in Linc le Fevre and the Insiders.

Never-the-less, the venue full and the audience was audibly satisfied. A solid, if unspectacular, debut onto the Hobart music scene. - www.thedwarf.com.au

Lincoln le Fevre & The Insiders (Tassie) - 30 Watt Heart (Independent)
Lincoln le Fevre and the Insiders are drawn together by the tales and talents of frontman and songwriter Linc le Fevre. Lincoln le Fevre and the Insiders' performances can charm a crowd of thousands.
22/09/08-6/10/08 - Edge Radio 99.3FM

AWARD-winning Hobart singer, songwriter and producer Lincoln le Fevre has heard his new album 30-Watt Heart so many times he has lost track of whether it's actually any good.
So now he's leaving it up to the public to decide.
30-Watt Heart is a debut album for le Fevre -- who has this year won best engineer/producer at the Amplified Awards and been recognised by Triple J as one of Australia's best unsigned songwriters -- and his band the Insiders -- Robbie G (keys, vocals), Henry Nichols (drums), Richard Armstrong (bass, vocals) and Elliot Taylor (guitar).
Recorded and produced by le Fevre at his home studio over the past nine months, 30-Watt Heart fuses indie rock, alternative country and ``some '60s white boy soul''.
``Self-producing, I discovered exactly how difficult it is to keep your distance from it and keep objective about it,'' le Fevre said.
``It got really tricky towards the end.
``I just want it out of my hands, then it'll have a life of its own and I won't have to think about it.
``It's been a couple of years' work, and I'm kind of interested to see what people think of it. Especially because I've been so close to it, I just don't know any more. I don't know if it's any good, I couldn't tell you. So I want to hear what other people think and watch how it goes down.''
The first single taken from the album, Hey Alright, is a tongue-in-cheek look at life on any given night in a local pub; while another standout track, Blues for Jen, features the fiery guitar work of acclaimed guitarist Pete Cornelius.
``It's gold, the stuff he does is magic,'' le Fevre said. ``He plays guitar like I want to.''
Lincoln le Fevre and the Insiders will launch 30-Watt Heart at two shows next week with West Australian band The Novocaines: at Irish Murphy's in Launceston on Thursday, September 25 (with Nathan Weldon), and at the Republic Bar in North Hobart from 10pm on Friday, September 26 (with Andrew Swift, $10 cover).
30-Watt Heart will be available from September 26 from Tracks Music, Tommy Gun Records, iTunes and linclefevre.com

By: KANE YOUNG
- The Mercury - Pulse Music Guide