Live Review
Lansdowne Hotel, Chippendale
14/06/07
As Sydney got another drenching even the lure of a free gig and cheap beer was not enough to entice the usual throbbing Thursday student posse out into the sodden streets. Being first on though (as late as ten) Bryan Estepa enjoyed the biggest crowd of the night and the warmth of the man and his music took no time to shine through. With some beautifully crafted songs and his tight band Estepa effortlessly flipped from the instant jangly pop of Right Now to the building gentleness of Come Around with its haunting vocal intro. Live, his songs seemed to take on an extra dimension, particularly demonstrated in the new I’m Going where an undercurrent of guitar positively danced around. But even the occasional guitar frenzy was perfectly controlled and melted back into some sublime tunes. His vocals, at times strong and forceful at others smoothly lilting, played off some harmonies the like Crowded House would be proud of. Finishing with a glowing cover of Wilco’s California Stars, Estepa has established himself as an act to watch out for on the Sydney scene.

Paul Smith
Drum Media 26/6/07