Nick and Liesl

'Friend And Lover by Nick Everitt, nice tune and lyrics, simple but very good with a great hook.' - thedwarf.com.au

Well it’s 2011 and we are once again awash with young new folk singer/songwriters; there are probably more poetic acoustic balladeers around right now than in the great 60’s folk boom that gave us Dylan, Seeger and Baez. As always there are a few acts that can’t find a genre to fit into and are happy to land anywhere there’s a willing audience. Talented duo from the NSW Central Coast Nick and Liesl are one such act – not folk, country, R&B or pop, yet touching base with all of them at some point, while playing their own distinct brand meticulously crafted acoustic based music. Feather the debut album from this pair follows their 2008 EP Wyong River and shows them to be both very capable poetic and melodic songwriters and captivating vocalists with a sibling like capacity for natural harmony. Recorded primarily at their home studio and utilising the additional talents of Paul Kelly’s drummer Peter Luscombe, Glen Hannah (Kasey Chambers) on guitars and bass player and studio/mastering engineer Jeff McCormack they have crafted an album of high quality production values. ‘Silent Ships’ brings to mind early solo Paul Simon or a less experimental Sufjan Stevens; Liesl’s thoughtful and introspective approach ranges from the plaintive folk of ‘Does it matter’ to the beguiling ‘Witch’s Brew’ reminiscent of early Laura Nyro. There’s the occasional veering off into some Nick led pop/R&B influenced grooves on ‘Mistakes Happen’, ‘It’s Better to Have Loved’ and ‘Shines Like Gold’ but otherwise the musical landscape is generally a place where plaintive piano figures and acoustic guitars dance delicately around thoughtfully constructed melodies in an effortless mix of introspective poetic musings and sparkling musical invention.
- KIM CHESHIRE
- Country Update

Nick and Liesl - Feather (Album)
by Lucinda Goodwin | Monday, May 23

WOW! That’s how I felt when I started this review, and that’s definitely how Feather will leave you feeling. Feather is the alternative/folk duo Nick and Liesl's debut album.

I instantly fell in love with their music, as it's heavily influenced by the alternative/folk scene in my home town. I loved their vibe and the earthy feeling you get from the get go.

Nick and Liesl have come a long way since 2008, when they released their debut EP Wyong River. The whole album shows a range of stripped back folk, alternative, pop and soul genres, as well as a great range of vocal capabilities for these two talented artists.

"Sing Sing" is a demonstration of perfect harmonies and a laid back folkie vibe. The first track off the album, "Most Of My Life", shows the lyrical genius of the pair, as well as some beautiful harmonies with stripped back folk tunes and an earthy upbeat tempo.

The guitar work and the vocal harmonies are what I fell in love with when listening to this album for the first time, and I can tell you, Feather is all I have been listening to for quite some time, the easy listening qualities and calming vocals are what makes them a great duo. Get out there and see these guys live, I know I will be when they are touring Victoria.
- thedwarf.com.au

NICK AND LIESL
Feather
Independent
4/5

This debut album from central coast folk duo Nick and Liesl is a classy follow-up to their 2008 EP Wyong River. On first listen, it’s a tough choice as to which is the standout: the gob-smackingly powerful and melodic vocals – think Angus Stone/Katie Noonan – or the first-class sound production, topped off with thoughtful lyrics, fine musicianship and the album’s wonderfully eclectic folk/pop/soul style. Like Wyong River, which earned an ABC Award for sound production, Feather was crafted in the pair’s backyard studio and features a slew of über-talented collaborators, including Paul Kelly/Rockwiz drummer Pete Luscombe, Kasey Chamber’s bass player, Jeff McCormack and country guitar maestroGlen Hannah. Crown amongst the jewels? The slinky ‘Witch’s Brew’ – a simply beautiful song on this simply beautiful album.
- CRAIG FAULKNER

- Reverb

I listened to it a countless number of times, and every time I found myself looking forward to hearing the first track ‘Most of My Life’ over and over. Actually sometimes I’d just skip back to it, it’s really that good. The lyrics are light and carefree while the tune is uplifting and catchy. All you want to do is sing. Feather swings back and forth from toe-tapping acoustic to slower full band songs throughout the 13 tracks of amazing lyrics and sound. Honestly Feather is one of the best albums I’ve heard in forever, from this genre.

Nick and Liesl’s unique sound falls into the genres of acoustic/alternative/folk. Their harmonising and the way they play off each other’s voice gives them a distinct and recognisable sound. Think Angus and Julia Stone but more mature, and I’ll dare say, better.

Much like their 2008 EP, Wyong River, Feather was mostly recorded in their home studio. Their contagious positivity and catchy melodies have attracted band members like Paul Kelly’s drummer Pete Luscombe, Kasey Chambers’ bass player Jeff McCormack, and guru guitarist Glen Hannah joining the duo on their album, proving they’re the little band that can.

The track that is most unique from the others is ‘Witch’s Brew’. Liesl’s voice has a crisp chill in it, resembling that of Alison Krauss on her album Raising Sand with Robert Plant. Her pitch and tone just has that chilling but sweet sound that gives you shivers, along with lyrics like “Dying trees and paint that’s peeling, ‘ Cause Mama’s busy and Daddy’s sleeping, There’s a weed full of garden waiting for your rain, and there’s no use crying things will never change.”

Acoustic, folk or alternative – whatever you prefer – Nick and Liesl’s album Feather is definitely worth the time to sit down and listen to.



- Rhythms

"If younger readers want a reference point that makes sense to them, I guess they could think of this singer/songwriter duo from the Central Coast as a bit like a grownup Angus & Julia Stone. Husband and wife rather than brother and sister, there's more of a rootsy approach to their songwriting but like the Stones, they write seperately rather than together, with Liesl Karlsson's songs a little closer to the pop side of things in a Clare Bowditch kind of way. Sort of a more melodic Waifs if you like, with the Aussie accents." - The Drum Media, August 08

"[...] Nick Everitt of the Central Coast offers bubbly guitar pop and Sydneysider Liesl Karlsson is dark and haunting for her vocals. A pleasure."
- Drum Media