GIG: LIOR – SHADOWS & LIGHT
After sold out performances earlier this year, Australian singer-songwriter, Lior is bringing back his Shadows and Light Tour for one more season. Lior described Shadows and Light as a celebration of the last few years. And what a few years it has been: receiving acclaim for his 2005 debut album, Autumn Flow and the 2008 follow up, Corner of an Endless Road; and touring the nation extensively. Shadows and Light is a unique musical experience because it combines shadow art with Lior’s vocals and music. He has collaborated with shadow artists Stephen Mushin and Anna Parry to create visual stories for most of his songs, which include intricate characters and landscapes. “It’s [shadow art] a derivative of Balinese puppetry. There’s an overhead projector, very university style, which is projected onto a white screen,” Lior said.
“You can play with the distance, the light source – it’s pretty simple but the magical world it creates and the level of detail, complexity and the intricacy. It’s both sophisticated and childlike.”
Lior explained that he’d never really been interested in the visual before as he didn’t want it to distract from the music. However, he felt this medium integrated the music and the visual, creating a ‘multi-sensory’ feeling.
He will perform songs from his first two albums alongside the Tailem String Quartet, generating an unplugged sound and a richness that differs from the usual musical format.
Moving the venue to the Sydney Theatre Company will also bring new elements into the show that couldn’t be achieved in the last season.
“The Sydney Theatre Company room is very good for the visual presentation,” Lior said.
“It’s a studio room and the amplification allows for closeness, an intimacy… It’s diverse and adaptable, an upscale really.”
Lior wouldn’t reveal what these new elements were. He also stated that there were highlights throughout the show, but didn’t want to divulge these either.
The main catalyst for this tour’s special return is raising money for Youngcare. Lior is attracted this charity because he feels what they do is unique.
“They help young people with disabilities who require 24/7 care and many of these people, because there isn’t any other places to offer, they often end up in aged care,” he said.
“So these people are building infrastructure to give care in a dignified way like building apartments and providing staff. There are thousands of people who need attention and care.”
When Shadows and Lights is over, Lior will resume work on his third album. He said he still had a bit of writing ahead but was about halfway through. It will be a slightly different sound, but at this point he said there was no particular theme. It is scheduled for release next year.
Sept 9-13, Sydney Theatre Company, Wharf 1, Hickson Rd, Walsh Bay, $40-50, 9250 1777 or sydneytheatre.com.au
