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Live Review: All eyes on Confidence Man with their new video for 'Better Sit Down Boy'

20 September 2017 | 10:40 am | Julie Fenwick

A tipsy day at the spa. Not your usual recipe for success, but in CONFIDENCE MAN's case, I guess it was. Listen to their new single 'Better Sit Down Boy'.

A tipsy day at the spa. Not your usual recipe for success, but in CONFIDENCE MAN's case, I guess it was. According to Janet Planet, vocalist for the group, while on tour around rural Australia, a margarita and a jacuzzi was all it took to inspire their new single, ‘Better Sit Down Boy’.

Now, I know in music journalism describing tracks and artists as "unique" and "in a class of their own" is a constant, and honestly pretty generic. But in this case, Confidence Man really has surpassed any expectations I originally had of the group. Really. In fact, when I asked a friend what they thought about the release, they told me it could probably be summed up in one word: "unorthodox."

It’s an interesting choice of vocabulary, but you know what? It's perfect. Unorthodox is what gets noticed, it means different and it's most likely why Triple J named the group ‘the best up-and-coming live band in Australia.’ I guess the various festival line-ups Confidence Man have been added to is a further indication of this. They've played Splendour in the Grass, Glastonbury, The Great Escape, Groovin the Moo, Laneway Festival, The Plot, Panama, Golden Plains, Hot Dub Wine Machine and By The Meadow. Written in one sentence, you realise just how impressive it all is.

Back to 'Better Sit Down Boy'. Firstly, it’s been said many times before about a plethora of other songs, but how much cowbell is enough cowbell, I mean, really? I have to say though; Confidence Man does a good job of fitting the instrument into the song, especially with everything else that's to be happening. There are a lot of layers in the mix and a few different parts to the track, and this is definitely not a bad thing. In fact, it makes for an immersive and interesting listen. The talk-sing thing really works and so do the dozens of instruments that are neatly tucked into the production.

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It's quirky; from the raucous percussion to the too-cool vocals to the lack of poetry, which is instead, and better yet, replaced by an effortless playfulness. This is only amplified by the accompanying visuals, which are equally as ‘unorthodox’. Here we see Janet Planet, Clarence Mcguffie, Sugar Bones and Reggie Goodchild (yep, those are the names of the four members of the band) beside Danny the Iron, Maggie Fit and Pina Ballerina in a Mortal Kombat? x Workout video? x Tennis Match? kind-of set-up. Not only does this video make me question the sanity of the group, but it also tells me that they are not afraid to be different. It’s lively just like I’ve heard their live shows are. And it’s fun, also just like I’ve heard their live shows are.

Speaking of live shows Confidence Man has also just announced dates for an upcoming Australian tour where they will be joined by Melbourne group Broadway Sounds and producer Love Deluxe. Be sure to check them out at the venues below, and don't delay - their last tour completely sold out, so it's only a matter of time before these tickets are all gone too!

RING'A DING DING TOUR DATES

Fri 3 Nov – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney

Mon 6 Nov (Melbourne Cup Eve) – Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne

Fri 17 Nov – The Triffid, Brisbane

Sun 1 Oct - Yours & Owls Festival, Wollongong, NSW

Sat 18 Nov – The Plot Parramatta, NSW

Thu 28 Dec– Falls Festival, Lorne, VIC – SOLD OUT

Fri 29 Dec - Falls Festival, Marion Bay, TAS

Sun 31 Dec– Falls Festival, Byron Bay, NSW – SOLD OUT

WORDS BY JULIE FENWICK
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