GIG: PIKELET

Pikelet is a sweet name for a songstress but there’s a healthy punk attitude behind Evelyn Morris’ petite, saccharine stage name, “I have a very, very strong obstinate, non conformist streak,” she tells me. Pikelet first sauntered onto the well-nourished Melbourne music scene way back in 2003 with her unique one-woman band performance which featured 1 x Pikelet, 1 x looping pedal and many x  instruments including (but not limited to) drums, bass, xylophone and piano accordion. Since then she’s toured with the likes of Camera Obscura, Jens Lekman, Sufjan Stevens and most recently Bachelorette. “I was really conscious that looping might become a bit of a gimmick. Or not a gimmick but rather something that people expect me to do and I don’t like doing what people expect,” Morris says, and is perhaps why Stem, her latest album, is such a significant one for Pikelet. The richness of this album can be somewhat credited to the new line-up, three seasoned musicians that accompany her on synths, bass, clarinet and drums. “I’m so excited about bringing the band to Sydney – I’ve been wanting to do it for so long!” Now’s her chance – I recommend you go along and let them impress you.

Apr 29, supported by Songs and The Maple Trail, The Oxford Art Factory, 38-46 Oxford St Darlinghurst, $12+bf